What’s the Problem?
Biodiversity describes all the genes, species and populations of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and other organisms in any given area. The more species and genetic diversity, the higher the biodiversity; without biodiverse ecosystems human civilisations would not last. The threats to agriculture and our food security from climate change and biodiversity loss are intertwined.
Britain’s ecosystems are broken and nature is struggling – with 56% of species in the UK in decline and 15% threatened with extinction. Only 8% of the UKs land is not managed or used productively in some way, which has significant implications for biodiversity and habitat protection.
Biodiversity needs space to flourish. Across Britain, many places where you would expect wildlife to thrive have been reduced to wet deserts. The seabed has been smashed and stripped of its living creatures. We’ve suffered more deforestation and lost more of our large mammals than any European country except Ireland.
Our naturally functioning ecosystems have declined so much they have almost disappeared. Such ecosystems can help prevent floods, store carbon and provide us with clean air, water, food and fuel.
Certain species that used to play a key role in ecosystem services have largely disappeared. Beavers for example, used to build canals and dams that act like giant sponges, reducing flood impact and preserving water supplies in the drier months of the year.
80% of our peatland, a major potential source of carbon capture, is damaged in some way due to our interventions.