Just 4% of species on the rise as nature report sounds alarm
Experts have warned that many more species may be in trouble in the West of England.
Just 4% of species in the West of England have increased in numbers over the last 25 years, the region’s first wildlife index has revealed.
Since 2000, 15% of species have declined while 9% were stable.
The remainder are “statistically uncertain” but many are indicating potential declines, a report released on Monday warned.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said the State of Nature report “can make for difficult reading”.
Some 62% of fish species analysed were declining, 44% of birds were dwindling in population size and the region’s woodland cover stood at 7.5% – below the overall UK level of 13.5% and Europe’s 38%.
Meanwhile only 1% of insects are increasing.
The country is one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world with just 53% of the UK's original nature being left intact.
Birds that commonly use gardens are declining overall, particularly chaffinches, blue tits, and greenfinches. Swifts have declined sharply both locally and nationally, falling in the West of England by 32% per decade since 2000. The cause for the decline is unclear but may be because of fewer insects and/or the loss of nesting sites.
Garden bird feeding has boosted goldfinch numbers. The populations have increased 146% per decade since 2000 in the West of England, mirroring national trends. The analysis showed the red fox is likely to be increasing. In the region, hedgehog numbers are stable.
Sumita Hutchison, chair of the West of England Nature Partnership, said: “The threats to nature are becoming clearer to all of us — we’ve felt them in the recent heatwave and the unpredictability of this year’s weather.
"The State of Nature report is a call to action, and on the back of it we are galvanised to bring even more people together for nature.”
A £5 million nature fund was approved on Friday by the Mayor and council leaders to reverse biodiversity decline, connect habitats, and connect people with nature.
Savita Wilmott, CEO of The Natural History Consortium, said: “The State of Nature report is both a warning and an invitation. Whilst it highlights significant declines across many species, it also demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, organisations and decision-makers work together for nature.”
