Britain's Wildlife On Rocky Ground

Scientists have confirmed that species pollinating crops or fight pests are at risk of disappearing.

17:40 14 December 2015

Scientists from the University of Reading have conducted the biggest and most comprehensive research on Britain's wildlife. They found that the country's wildlife is at a vulnerable state while species that pollinate crops and carry out other vital jobs for farmers are at a risk of completely disappearing.

 

Dr Tom Oliver of the University of Reading, who led the research, said: "By standardising records from an army of amateur biologists across the country, we have amassed an impressive array of data, giving us our most complete picture yet of the state of Britain's wildlife."

 

"The picture that emerges is of an increasingly fragile system, particularly in species that do vital jobs for humans.

 

"Unless efforts are made to reverse some of these declines, we face a future where we will be less confident that we can effectively grow our food."

 

Meanwhile, Prof James Bullock, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Oxfordshire, a co-researcher on the study, said that conservation efforts should focus on specific areas.

 

"Conservation actions, such as wildlife friendly farming, can avoid the loss of biodiversity and the resulting erosion of the pollination, pest control and other benefits we derive from nature," he said.