Report warns of biodiversity decline

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Ant Rogers (right) is pictured with the Council's Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability, Councillor Myles Pepper.

More work needs to be done if a decline in Pembrokeshire’s biodiversity is to be halted, a report claims.

The warning comes from the Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership’s implementation officer, Ant Rogers.

Over the past year, the Partnership has conducted a review of the State of Wildlife in Pembrokeshire.

Nineteen local specialists contributed to the report – compiled by Mr Rogers – which looks at 23 species and habitats in the County.

These were studied in 2011 and the report provides an update on current status and trends in these features as a metric of the likely situation in the wider environment.

Mr Rogers said: “The work highlights some successes but there is still much to be done if we are to halt – and then reverse – the decline in biodiversity.

“This is an international commitment under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.”

The report highlights that:

  • 70 per cent of features assessed are in poor or moderate condition
  • 57 per cent of features assessed are considered stable or improving
  • 30 per cent of features are assessed as in decline
  • 26 per cent of features had insufficient data to assess trend and/or condition
  • all the features assessed as in good condition or with improving trend had been subject to sustained conservation effort

The report is set against a backdrop of new and enhanced legislation aimed at embedding the protection and enhancement of our natural environment in public life in Wales.

Both the original 2011 report and the 2016 up-date report can be downloaded from the Council’s website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk


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