Navigating Biodiversity Loss

‍Wildlife populations in England have fallen by almost a third since 1970. That's a dramatic decline in biodiversity which could have serious implications for all of us.

To see biodiversity in action, take a walk in a field or woodland. Take in the variety of plants, birds and insects around you. There's an invisible community of small creatures burrowing, scurrying or sheltering nearby. Every one of these lives, from microscopic organisms to the biggest predators in the food chain, is connected to all the other lives in that area. That's biodiversity.

Biodiversity is about the variety of life on Earth in all its forms and interconnections. This variety, living harmoniously in a well-balanced ecosystem, helps to create beautiful natural landscapes.

A balanced, biodiverse ecosystem doesn't just look good. It's vital for the welfare of so many of the plants, animals and other organisms in that system. It's also vital for our welfare, as a human society.

When biodiversity diminishes, the intricate web of ecosystem services that supports life as we know it begins to unravel. Think of the bees and butterflies that pollinate the fruits and vegetables we enjoy, the forests that purify the air we breathe and sequester carbon to mitigate climate change, and the wetlands that filter the water we drink. As species disappear, these essential services are compromised, directly threatening our food security, the air quality in our communities, and the purity of the water in our taps.

By reducing biodiversity we risk damaging both our health and our wealth. Many of us rely on industries that are intimately connected to biodiversity, such as agriculture, which feeds us; pharmaceuticals, which provide medicines derived from natural compounds; and tourism, which often depends on the allure of nature and wildlife. The decline in biodiversity puts these industries at risk, potentially affecting jobs and livelihoods, and by extension, the economy that sustains our communities and families.

Moreover, the loss of biodiversity increases the risk of emerging infectious diseases. This is not just an abstract concept; it's a stark reality that can lead to real health risks for you, your family, and communities worldwide. Diseases that were once contained within wildlife populations can find new opportunities to infect humans, leading to outbreaks that can spread globally, as recent events have tragically illustrated.

Biodiversity is under threat more than ever before. As we continue to bulldoze natural habitats, pollute streams and rivers, and pump more carbon into an already warming atmosphere, we destroy or seriously damage fragile ecosystems.

To learn more about biodiversity, read our post: What are the different types of biodiversity?

Biodiversity loss is a global crisis, and the United Kingdom is not immune to its effects. The rich tapestry of life that once flourished across the British Isles, from the rolling hills of the countryside to the rugged coastlines, is under threat. The actions of government, businesses, the general public and visitors all play a significant role in this decline. Understanding these impacts is the first step towards making changes that can help preserve the UK's unique natural heritage for future generations.

The conversion of natural landscapes into urban areas, agricultural land, and infrastructure developments is a significant cause of habitat loss. The pressure to build more houses and expand economic activities leads to the destruction of natural habitats, impacting native species and ecosystems. The growth of urban areas and agriculture has led to a marked reduction in habitat availability for native wildlife.

The UK, like many places around the globe, is experiencing changes in weather patterns, including increased rainfall and rising temperatures, which affect local ecosystems and species. Changes in climate conditions can alter the flowering times of plants, migration patterns of birds, and breeding cycles of animals, disrupting ecological balance. Extreme weather can lead to increasing incidence of floods or droughts which damage ecosystems.

The demand for seafood has led to practices that deplete fish populations and damage marine habitats. Overfishing has profoundly impacted marine biodiversity. Fish populations are diminished and marine habitats damaged. Similarly, the pursuit of game for sport without sustainable management practices can impact local wildlife populations.

Pollution from industry, agriculture and homes contributes significantly to biodiversity loss in the UK. Chemical runoff from farms pollutes the soil where food grows, and runs into rivers and streams, affecting aquatic life. Air pollution from vehicles and industry can harm plant life and degrade ecosystems. More people means more waste, and when this flows into the sea uncontrolled and untreated, it does more than degrade water quality of our beaches; it risks upsetting delicate ecosystems along our coast.

Introducing non-native species to the UK, whether intentionally or accidentally, threatens indigenous biodiversity. Invasive species can outcompete, prey upon, or bring diseases to native species, leading to decline in biodiversity. Examples include the grey squirrel outcompeting the native red squirrel or the rampant spread of giant hogweed, originally introduced as an ornamental curiosity but now deemed a real menace as it overshadows native plants.

The expansion of urban areas and city development, alongside the conversion of natural habitats for agriculture, significantly contributes to biodiversity loss. Urbanisation leads to the displacement of species, fragmentation of habitats, and alteration of local ecosystems. Intensive agricultural practices, such as the use of pesticides and fertilisers, monoculture crops, and the removal of hedgerows, compound the issue by reducing the variety of life. Together, these changes drastically reduce habitats for diverse species and disrupt ecological balance, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable land-use planning and conservation efforts.

The natural beauty of the UK attracts millions of visitors each year, and while this love of nature is to be celebrated, it can also lead to pressure on sensitive habitats. Trampling, littering, and disturbance of wildlife in popular natural spots can degrade these areas and reduce their biodiversity.

What can we do about the dramatic loss of biodiversity? Is the problem too big for individuals to help fix? After all, most of us aren't building houses, digging up hedgerows or pouring chemicals into watercourses. How can an individual make a positive difference?

It helps to simply be aware of the problem. Awareness is growing. In 2014 only 5% of people in the UK were highly engaged with the issue of biodiversity loss. By 2023 that number was 39%.

The more people who are aware of the problem of biodiversity loss, and strategies for combating it, the more likely it is that the best course of action is taken.

We are strong believers in protecting biodiversity by following mitigation hierarchy, starting at Step 1:

Step 1: Avoid impacting biodiversity by protecting existing habitats.
Step 2: Minimise impacts on biodiversity through sustainable practices.
Step 3: Restore biodiversity by recreating damaged habitats and with reintroductions.
Step 4: Renew biodiversity by creating and populating new habitats.

While protecting existing habitats is the ideal solution, in practice many have already been damaged in some way. These require restoration, or where that's not possible, an alternative is created in a suitable location. Often restoration will need to be practical - for example by purchasing off-site units because it’s not possible to maintain on-site gains for 30 years. 

Step 2 can include low chemical agriculture, protection from invasive species and using products produced through sustainable practices. Step 3 can include restoring a degraded ecosystem, such as a region of woodland or grassland that's been negatively impacted in some way.

Conservation schemes at Step 3 can include afforestation (planting trees in an area not previously forested), creating an artificial coral reef and rewilding by introducing extinct species.

While much responsibility for protecting biodiversity rests with governments, there's plenty that individuals and community-based conservation programmes can achieve.

Whether it’s carrying out surveys, running educational campaigns or helping to restore a local habitat, individuals and community groups are already making a positive contribution to protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

We can all choose to create and nurture local habitats in spaces around where we work and live. For example, choosing to leave a few logs to decay in a quiet corner of our garden provides a space where insects can thrive undisturbed.Communities can also raise finance for local conservation projects, providing the funds needed to make changes.

Where possible, businesses, and in particular developers, are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. This is the focus of BNG policies, which push for methods that minimise environmental impact, such as the use of less invasive construction techniques and the integration of green spaces into urban planning.

At an individual level we can make sustainable choices in the products we choose to buy and use, and even in how we spend our time.

The UK was the first nation that created a biodiversity action plan that covered the entire nation. Our natural environment was recognised as being a precious resource needing protection. Action was required, at government level, to stem biodiversity loss.

Over the last few decades a substantial amount of research has created a wealth of information about the loss of ecosystems and species across the country. A significant outcome of that has been the Environment Act (2021), setting out a new framework of environmental protection. This framework is aimed at halting the decline in species abundance by 2030.

Policies and laws aren't just aimed at protecting what's left. One of the key strategies for protecting biodiversity, through combating the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, are the rules around Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

The UK's BNG rules make sustainability a compliance necessity, with most developers required to deliver a biodiversity net gain of 10%. That is, their project must result in more or better-quality natural habitat than existed before the development.

We provide tools to help developers, of all sizes, ensure compliance with BNG rules.Collaboration at an international level is helping establish and work towards sustainable development goals. This includes governments providing tax breaks and subsidies to help organisations find ways to work that better protect the environment, and help restore it for the future.

Legislation isn't the only solution to the crisis in biodiversity. Innovation and technology are helping firms explore new approaches to manufacturing and production, which minimise impact on biodiversity or in some cases encourage it.

Technology solutions that support biodiversity goals include:
1. Seeding drones, working as swarms to aid reforesting.
2. Cultured meat to mitigate environmental impact of animal meat.
3. Vertical ocean farming, producing more seafood in a smaller space.

Each of these solutions, and many others, play a part in helping protect existing ecosystems or creating one that's sustainable.

While the UK's BNG regulations apply to businesses, there's plenty of scope for individuals to help protect and promote biodiversity.

You can play a part by:
1. Choosing to buy sustainable products locally, cutting down on travel for both you and what you buy.
2. Composting as much waste as possible, again reducing travel and also stimulating new ecosystems at home.
3. Planting native species that help support local wildlife.

In what other ways can you start making a difference, right now? Learn how to increase biodiversity in your home.

BNG policies often include provisions for community consultation and involvement, ensuring that conservation efforts are not only top-down but also supported and enriched by local knowledge and participation. This includes education, with environmental teaching in schools being supported by direct engagement with nature. Community projects are ideal for this, where they allow people of all ages to learn as they take part in protecting and nurturing ecosystems.

This approach fosters a culture of stewardship, empowering communities to act as guardians of their local biodiversity. It's particularly important for younger people, because they have a considerable stake in the future of their locality, and further afield. Parents, teachers and other influencers need access to the right resources to teach and promote biodiversity.

Measuring change is an important part of any action to promote biodiversity. As with any science, the impact of changes needs to be measured in order to quantify their effectiveness, and to help plan for the future.

Environment protection charities can provide leadership in measurement, often in partnership with universities or other organisations. They conduct specific studies into the impact of change on specific ecosystems, and help identify what measures are best to help at meeting targets for biodiversity enrichment.

At a local level, individuals and communities can take advantage of a number of tools that can help. Initiatives like the Big Butterfly Count or the Big Garden Birdwatch are nationally promoted citizen science surveys that are easy to engage with. By carrying out the same survey, year after year, it's possible to measure the degree of change over time.

Other schemes people can take part in are:
- The National Plant Monitoring Scheme
- The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme
- The National Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Programme

The wealth of apps and websites now available is making data collection easier than ever. Further advances, such as AI, drones, low-cost camera traps and more look set to make biodiversity monitoring and progress tracking even more effective.

Everyone, from national governments to private individuals, can have a role in reducing and eventually stopping, biodiversity loss. We can all help in restoring biodiversity at a local, regional and national level.

It's not too late to get involved. To learn more about the challenge, read our blog on Biodiversity collapse and the sixth mass extinction phase.