Civil Service in the news
Habitat hotlist
5/11/2007 - Department for Environment and Rural Affairs
Defra has launched the new UK list of priority species and habitats. The new list, comprising 1,149 species and 65 habitats, replaces the one produced ten years ago. The list now includes traditional orchards and ponds, and once common species such as house sparrows and grass snakes.
At the launch, Joan Ruddock, Minister for Biodiversity, said that the existing UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) had shown that “we can be very successful when we target our resources at conserving particular species and habitats”. She talked about previous success such as the cirl bunting, the Killarney fern and the prickly sedge.
Under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act, the Secretary of State must publish an annual list of the living organisms and habitats believed to be the most important for conserving biodiversity.
Dr Sarah Webster, head of Defra's UK biodiversity policy unit, says: “Our climate is changing, so it is more vital than ever before that our conservation efforts help our most important wildlife habitats to adapt and increase their chances of survival. Taking an ecosystem approach means that we need to recognise the interconnections between living things, their environment, and the services they provide. We need to tackle the causes of biodiversity loss, not just the symptoms.”
The new list, which covers terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity, is longer mainly because both knowledge and understanding have increased. Although additions have also been made because of recent declines in numbers, including declines in common or garden species such as the hedgehog and Atlantic salmon. The reason for the increase in the number of habitats is more complex. Although the list now covers some new habitats, some of the definitions have also changed to reflect new understanding of the habitats' function and importance.
Sarah says: “Conservation in the future must place increased emphasis on ecosystem services such as soil protection as well as homes for our priority species.”
Following on from the launch of the new UK BAP list, Defra launched a strategic framework for biodiversity, Conserving Biodiversity - The UK Approach, at the UK Biodiversity Partnership Conference on 9 - 11 October in Aviemore, Scotland. Opened by Michael Russell, Minister for Environment in Scotland, the conference focused on environmental volunteering.
Biodiversity: what you can do
Conserving biodiversity - the UK approach sets out a list of ways in which individuals can help promote biodiversity. Defra is encouraging staff to lead the way by following as many of them as possible:
- Create, or encourage others to create wildlife friendly spaces at home, in your local community and through work. For example, provide food - feed birds in the winter, grow shrubs with berries such as hawthorn; provide shelter - find a corner in which to leave a pile of dead wood; provide water - ideally a pond.
- Enjoy (and value) your local wildlife friendly space and share this enjoyment with others.
- Support the work of wildlife conservation organisations - for example, spend time volunteering for your local wildlife trust or the National Trust. This can involve habitat management or 'citizen science' - for example, becoming involved with the British Trust for Ornithology's Garden Birdwatch or the BBC's Spring/Autumnwatch.
- Think before you buy, for example wildlife based products or souvenirs from overseas trips; buy wildlife/environmentally-friendly/sustainably-sourced products.
- Exercise your civic duties to ensure those that represent your views reflect your environmental concerns.