Biological diversity – or ‘Biodiversity’ – is the term given
to the variety of life on Earth. Biodiversity has been defined by
the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),
signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, as:
“The variability among living organisms from all sources
including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic
ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part;
this includes diversity within species, between species and of
ecosystems.” (CBD Article 2: UNEP, 1992).
Biodiversity plays a fundamental role in supporting many basic
natural services for humans, such as fresh water, fertile soil and
clean air. It provides us with food, fuel, health, wealth and other
vital services. The UK has a high diversity of habitats, and many
distinctive species, reflecting its geographical position. Some of
its species and habitats are of world-wide importance.
There are three key areas of ‘UK biodiversity’ with which JNCC
is particularly associated: the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK
BAP), the development of UK biodiversity indicators, and the UK
Biodiversity Research Advisory Group (UK BRAG).
UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)
The UK signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
in 1992. The CBD called for the development and enforcement of
national biodiversity strategies and action plans, to identify,
conserve and protect existing biological diversity, and to enhance
it wherever possible.
The UK
Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) was created in 1994, and
represents the UK Government’s response to the CBD. The UK BAP
outlined the UK’s biological resources and provided detailed plans
for conservation of these resources.
Devolution has led the four country conservation agencies in the
UK to produce their own biodiversity conservation strategies.
However, a shared vision for UK Biodiversity conservation was
adopted by both the devolved administrations and the UK government
in 2007, and is set out in ‘Conserving Biodiversity –
the UK Approach’ (PDF, 439kb).
For more information about the UK Biodiversity
Action Plan (UK BAP) >>>
UK Biodiversity Indicators
Indicators summarise complex data into more
simple, standardised and communicable figures. Within the UK, lots
of information about biodiversity is collected, across a wide range
of species and habitats, and a suite of biodiversity indicators is
used to communicate this information to a range of audiences, from
the general public, to policy makers and government officials.
A set of biodiversity indicators for the UK
was first published in June 2007, and has been published annually
ever since. The indicators show changes in aspects of biodiversity
such as the population size of important species or the area of
land managed for wildlife.
The UK biodiversity indicators set is useful for summarising
broad trends and highlighting high-level messages, but it can never
describe all of the changes in the UK’s biodiversity. Biodiversity
indicators are best considered, as their name suggests, as
‘indicative’ of the general state of biodiversity.
For more information about the UK biodiversity
indicators >>>
UK BRAG (Biodiversity Research Advisory Group)
UK BRAG was established in 2002 to assist with directing
research associated with the UK BAP. Following a review in 2006,
its remit now extends beyond the UK BAP. UK BRAG identifies,
promotes and facilitates biodiversity research to support UK and
individual country BAP commitments, co-ordinates UK engagement with
European biodiversity research initiatives, contributes to
effective biodiversity research networking in the UK, and supports
knowledge transfer activities in relation to biodiversity
research.
For more information about UK
BRAG >>>