Biodiversity in Wales

Wales is blessed with an exceptional diversity of habitats and our flora and fauna include many distinctive species. Many of these species and habitats are of national, European or international importance, so we have a collective responsibilty in ensuring we conserve biodiversity -for this generation and for future generations to come.

There are significant challenges ahead: Crucially, we need to preserve the places where wildlife lives, to get these areas in the best condition we can for wildlife and for people. A host of non-native invasive species are threatening our wildlife on land and in our coastal environments. Our farmland birds are in decline, our bees and butterflies are dwindling and we need a better picture of what’s happening to our marine life beneath the waves.

Ecosystems Approach

Increasingly its understood that adopting an ecosystems approach to deliver biodiversity gain in combination with wider social and economic objectives is required.

An ecosystems approach provides a framework for looking at whole ecosystems in decision-making, and for valuing the ecosystem services they provide, to ensure that society can maintain a healthy and resilient natural environment now and for future generations.

Wales is working with other UK partners in producing a National Ecosystem Assessment which will guide and inform future work. More details can be found on the Defra website together with other important initiatives including the work of The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity (TEEB) research program.

Wales Biodiversity Partnership is working to meet these challenges - to secure a future for biodiversity and for future generations

Links

Countryside Council for Wales Habitats & Species Information

UK Ecosystems Approach

TEEB

Millennium Ecosystems Assessment