UK Endangered Species Guide

YOUR LOCAL ENDANGERED SPECIES GUIDE As humanity thrives, nature suffers – at least this has sadly been the case in the UK for much of the last century. Many species are in decline as a result of irresponsible environmental practices and building reducing their natural habitats. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) have flagged many species across the UK's major regions as a priority for local concern. UK BIODIVERSITY AND ENDANGERMENT FACTS 59,000 747 Estimated number of Number of UK species species native to the UK under threat of extinction 60% 31% Percentage of 3,148 surveyed species that have declined over the last 50 years Percentage of 3,148 surveyed species that have strongly declined over the last 50 years 1,150 Number of species listed as a priority concern ENDANGERED SPECIES BY REGION SCOTTISH WILDCAT SCOTLAND BROWN HARE NORTHERN IRELAND NORTH EAST HEDGEHOG NORTH WEST NATTERJACK YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER RED TOAD SQUIRREL ADDER WATER VOLE EAST MIDLANDS WEST MIDLANDS HARVEST WALES MOUSE OTTER EAST OF ENGLAND CUCKOO LONDON SOUTH WEST SOUTH EAST GREATER HORSESHOE BAT SAND LIZARD BROWN HARE NORTH EAST C POPULATION 817,500 POPULATION DECLINE Approximately 80% in last 100 years НАBITAT Farmland, grassland and pasture A THREATS Agricultural intensification and hunting HOW TO HELP Hare Preservation Trust NATTERJACK TOAD NORTH WEST CO POPULATION Exact figures unknown - there are 50 breeding pools around the United Kingdom. The toad's rarity testifies to its endangerment. ough POPULATION DECLINE 70% over the course of the 20th century HABITAT Sand dunes, coastal marshes and heaths THREATS Loss of heartland and coastal habitats through human activity HOW TO HELP Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust HEDGEHOG YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER POPULATION 1,100,000 POPULATION DECLINE In 1950 there were 30,000,000 hedgehogs in Britain НАBITAT Woodland, hedgerows and gardens THREATS A) Habitat loss due to pesticides and agricultural changes reducing prey HOW TO HELP British Hedgehog Preservation Society ADDER EAST MIDLANDS POPULATION Exact figures unknown - there are roughly 1,000 known populations around the United Kingdom POPULATION DECLINE At least 33% of genetically viable populations in last 10 years - near extinct in Nottinghamshire НАBITAT Woodland, grassland and moorland THREATS Habitat loss, illegal culling and lack of genetic diversity HOW TO HELP Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust WATER VOLE WEST MIDLANDS POPULATION 875,000 POPULATION DECLINE Thought to have declined by 94% in last 100 years НАВITAT Marshland, river banks, lakes and ponds THREATS Predation by American Mink, habitat loss and water pollution HOW TO HELP Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust HARVEST MOUSE EAST OF ENGLAND C POPULATION 142,500 POPULATION DECLINE Exact figures unknown but are now rare after 40 years of supposed decline HABITAT Cornfields, hedgerows and long grass THREATS Farming, pesticides and starvation due to weather conditions HOW TO HELP Act for Wildlife CUCKOO LONDON POPULATION 16,000 pairs POPULATION DECLINE 65% since early 1980s НАBITAT Varies - primarily farmland and woodland A) THREATS Habitat destruction and lack of prey. Climate- induced shifts in breeding times has reduced number of nests available for brood parasitism. HOW TO HELP Royal Society for the Protection of Birds SAND LIZARD SOUTH EAST POPULATION Exact figure unknown - dangerously low POPULATION DECLINE Unknown - of efforts made to reintroduce the lizard from offshore populations only a small number survive HABITAT Sand dunes and dry heathland THREATS A Loss or deterioration of heathland and dune habitat due to urban development, shrub and tree incursion, and fires HOW TO HELP Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust GREATER HORSESHOE BAT SOUTH WEST CO POPULATION 1,600 to 5,000 POPULATION DECLINE Thought to have declined by 90% in the last century НАBITAT Often close to water bodies - hedgerows, woodland, scrub and pasture THREATS Starvation due to weather conditions and loss of prey from pesticides HOW TO HELP Bat Conservation Trust SCOTTISH WILDCAT SCOTLAND C POPULATION 35 pure wildcats - all in mainland Scotland POPULATION DECLINE From an estimated 400 in 2005 НАBITAT Woodland, edges of mountains and moorlands THREATS Hybridisation with domestic cats, shooting and snaring, and habitat loss HOW TO HELP Scottish Wildcat Association OTTER WALES POPULATION 10,300 POPULATION DECLINE Exact gures unknown but increasing after being brought to brink of extinction in late 1970s НАBITAT Clean rivers, lakes, coastlines and other aquatic habitats THREATS Road accidents, drowning in fish and lobster traps, and pollution HOW TO HELP The Vincent Wildlife Trust RED SQUIRREL NORTHERN IRELAND CO POPULATION 161,000 POPULATION DECLINE From an estimated peak of 3.5 million. НАBITAT Woodland and forests THREATS Competition with grey squirrels, disease and loss of habitat HOW TO HELP Red Squirrel Survival Trust We each have a vital role to play in environmental conservation. If our local wildlife is to recover, government policymakers and property developers must take an active role in aiding the efforts of conservation trusts. Sources for this infographic are available at arbtech.co.uk/endangered-species-guide-sources ARBTECH D)