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.
A Living Wales
The Welsh Government is radically rethinking the way we manage and protect the environment. Until now we have usually looked at parts of the environment separately from other decisions and activities. This means we have underestimated the importance of the environment in our lives. Our Natural Environment Framework will focus on changing this so we manage our environment as part of all our decision making.
A Living Wales
National Ecosystem Assessment
The UK National Ecosystem Assessment is the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment in terms of the benefits it provides to society and continuing economic prosperity. It is based around the processes that link human societies and their well being with the environment and emphasises the role of ecosystems in providing services that bring well-being to people.
There is a specific chapter relating to Wales "Status and changes in ecosystems and their services to society: Wales " UK NEA has come at the right time to provide an overview of the evidence base for the Natural Environment Framework policy and governance initiative in Wales.
The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity (TEEB)
The TEEB study is a major international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity, to highlight the growing costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions moving forward.
Wales Biodiversity Partnership is working to meet these challenges - to secure a future for biodiversity and for future generations
Links
A Living Wales
Wales Biodiversity Framework
Environment Strategy Wales
Countryside Council for Wales Habitats & Species Information
UK Ecosystems Approach
TEEB
Millennium Ecosystems Assessment