The disappearance of biodiversity in the UK

The UK’s biodiversity is in the toilet. It has experienced destruction for centuries, meaning today, it’s at the lowest levels compared with countries worldwide.

Let’s look at what biodiversity is, what state the UK’s biodiversity is in, recommended levels of biodiversity development, and the causes of the UK’s biodiversity destruction.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the awesome mix of living things in a place – it includes animals, plants, fungi, and even tiny microorganisms like bacteria. They all team up to form ecosystems, keeping everything in balance and helping life thrive.

How is the UK’s biodiversity rated?

The Natural History Museum’s Biodiversity Intactness Index has revealed that the UK’s index reading is 53%. A State of Nature report from 2019 highlighted a 13% decline in the average abundance of wildlife in the UK since the 1970s.

However, the most recent 2023 report from the same organisation indicates a more alarming 19% decline, which marks a 6% increase in just four years, even during the global pandemic when lockdowns allowed nature to flourish.

Beyond the concerning drop in species recorded since 1970, it’s important to note that the UK’s biodiversity had already been significantly depleted due to centuries of habitat loss, unsustainable farming practices, development, and persecution before widespread monitoring began.

Let’s delve deeper into this topic. The numbers reveal some concerning trends, especially for certain groups of species. Birds are experiencing a significant decline, with 43% facing challenges. Similarly, amphibians and reptiles, fungi and lichen, and terrestrial mammals are also seeing higher figures of decline at 31%, 28%, and 26%, respectively. Beloved species like the Turtle Dove, Hazel Dormouse, Lady’s Slipper Orchid, and European Eel face an uncertain future.

The situation extends to our plant life, where over half (54%) of flowering plant species see declining distributions. Iconic plants like Heather and Harebell are being enjoyed by fewer people. Mosses and bryophytes are also affected, with 59% experiencing reduced distribution.

When it comes to invertebrates in the UK, there has been an average 13% decrease since 1970. However, the decline is more pronounced in groups that play crucial roles in pollination and crop pest control. Pollinator species, including bees, hoverflies, and moths, have declined by 18% on average. Species providing pest control, such as the 2-spot Ladybird, have substantially declined by more than a third (34%).

Assessments of essential wildlife habitats paint a worrisome picture. Only 14% of these habitats are in good condition, and when focusing on woodlands and peatlands, the situation is even more dire. Only one in fourteen (7%) woodlands and a quarter (25%) of peatlands are in a good ecological state.

Biodiversity’s target level

The health of the Earth’s biodiversity is currently estimated to be around 75%, below the recommended safe limit of 90%. Maintaining biodiversity above this limit is crucial to prevent the planet from facing an ecological crisis that could lead to widespread hunger.

The information collected on the UK’s and the world’s biodiversity helps to understand biodiversity health and form approaches to protecting and improving what is essential for all life to continue.

Why is the UK’s biodiversity so low?

Over the years, nearly half of the UK’s diverse wildlife has vanished, mainly due to the expansion of farming and cities during the industrial and agricultural revolutions. Over two-thirds of the UK is dedicated to agriculture, and 8% is covered by buildings, leaving limited natural space.

Despite the UK’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity and adopting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in 2010, biodiversity has still declined. The country has expanded protected land and sea areas, and efforts have been made to reduce air and sea pollution. Unfortunately, the overall health and distribution of priority species have not improved. The numbers of farmland and woodland birds have worsened, and pollinating insects have shown little progress.

These declines have come despite a 69% increase in public spending on biodiversity since 2000 (although spending over the past five years has decreased by a third).

Looking ahead, these challenges persist, and additional threats are emerging. Introduced diseases, invasive non-native species, and the impacts of climate change are expected to intensify, worsening the decline of the UK’s natural richness in the upcoming decades.

To sum up

The case presented is not pleasant. As a result of human activity over centuries, the UK has around half of its biodiversity remaining.

However, with awareness and action, change can always be made. Protect Earth has been thinking on these lessons on biodiversity importance and its distribution in the UK to consider what we can do. You may have noticed more activities on wildflower meadow development and hedgerow development as we look at restoring more diverse habitats to create spaces fostering greater biodiversity. Please join us by making a donation to our biodiversity fund.