Biodiversity and wildlife
Biodiversity is the variety of living things and the natural environments that support them. Whilst is it not practicable to monitor every aspect of our environment, trends in selected species or environments can provide a good indication of the broad state of biodiversity.
Data are available from a wide range of national surveys and monitoring schemes coordinated by expert organisations, and some of the key ones are used and published as indicators by Defra to show whether our natural environment is being managed sustainably. These include wild bird populations (UK) (England) butterflies, bats, protected areas, and the extent to which people support the environment by undertaking conservation volunteering activities.
Statistics on wild bird populations are published separately by Defra, but other statistics are generally published as part of two key indicators set: England Biodiversity Indicators. or UK Biodiversity Indicators.
Government policy on wildlife and biodiversity
National Statistics
29/05/2012 UK Biodiversity Indicators in your Pocket
06/12/2012 Wild bird populations UK 1970-2011
06/12/2012 Wild bird populations England 1970-2011
Official Statistics
Nature Conservation: Local Sites in Positive Conservation Management 2011-12
29/11/2012 Official release: Local Sites in Positive Conservation Management in England, 2008-9 to 2010-12
data download (csv)
These official statistics give information on Local Sites designated locally for their nature conservation importance (either for wildlife or geology) which are being managed so as to conserve their nature conservation interest.
Further resources
Further Resources on wildlife and biodiversity: Data Gov
England level biodiversity indicators: 2012 Assessment
UK Biodiversity Indicator in Your Pocket 2012
Sustainable Development Indicators in Your Pocket 2010
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Downloads
10 May 2012
- Local Sites Conservation Management 2010 – 2011 (pdf, 248 KB)
20 May 2011
- UK Biodiversity Indicators 2011-statistical release (pdf, 294 KB)
