Most wildlife species in decline, warns study

Guardian News and Media/LondonAn unprecedented stocktake of UK wildlife has revealed that most species are struggling and that one in three have halved in number in the past 50 years.The report, based on scientific analysis of tens of millions of observations from volunteers, shows that from woodland to farmland and from freshwater streams to the sea, many mammals, birds, insects, fish and plants are in trouble. Blame is placed on the intensification of agriculture, with the consequent loss of meadows, hedgerows and ponds, and on the increased use of pesticides.Building developments, overfishing and climate change are adding to the factors.Three in five of the 3,148 species that were analysed for the report have declined in the past 50 years, and one in 10 are at risk of extinction. The report reveals a few bright spots. A reduction in water pollution has allowed otters to return to every county in the UK, and numerous ponds have been created from old gravel pits.The broadcaster Sir David Attenborough said: “This groundbreaking report is a stark warning, but it is also a sign of hope. We should all be proud of the beauty we find on our own doorstep, from bluebells carpeting woodland floors and delicately patterned fritillary butterflies, to the graceful basking shark and the majestic golden eagle soaring over the Scottish mountains.“Our species are in trouble, with many declining at a worrying rate. But we have a network of passionate conservation groups supported by millions of people who love wildlife.” The State of Nature report was compiled by 25 conservation groups, including the Wildlife Trusts, the Mammal Society, Buglife, and the Marine Conservation Society. Mark Eaton, a scientist at the RSPB - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - and one of the lead authors of the report, said: “This report shows we can do things - it gives the conservation examples - but we need to do a huge amount more. We need a root and branch rethink of how we integrate conservation with how we live and run our businesses.” He paid tribute to the army of tens of thousands of conservation volunteers: “They have played a massive role in making this report far more comprehensive than anything done before, and knowledge is the most essential tool that conservationists have.”While 31% of species have lost half their population, only 20% have experienced a doubling. Invertebrates such as moths, butterflies and beetles have been particularly affected.Eaton highlights the plight of the spectacular garden tiger moth, numbers of which have fallen by 95%. “This is a big, beautiful moth that was quite common once.” On farmland, which covers 75% of the UK, bird numbers have fallen by half and butterflies by a third since 1970.