UK Biodiversity Indicators 2019

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the annual report on the UK’s progress towards meeting the biodiversity goals (Aichi targets) agreed in 2010.

The report shows that 24 of the 41 indicators that were assessed are showing signs of improvement in the long term, while 12 are deteriorating. However, the report does indicate that progress is stalling, as only 18 are showing improvements in the short term.

Deteriorating indicators include pressure from invasive species, status of UK priority species, insects of the wider countryside and public sector expenditure on UK biodiversity.

Meanwhile, positive change has been seen in sustainable fisheries, pressure from pollution and the extent of protected areas, particularly with a sharp increase in protected areas at sea.

The full report can be found at Gov.UK.