UK Biodiversity Indicators 2021 Revised - Compendium document

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

UK Biodiversity Indicators 2021 Revised presents a structured set of indicators used to assess and communicate changes in biodiversity across the UK. It explains how indicator results are assessed for change, including measures covering mainstreaming, pressures, status, and benefits, with supporting annex information on official statistics. The booklet outlines biodiversity definitions and policy context under the Convention on Biological Diversity and describes data governance, quality assurance, and publication updates following the October 2021 revision.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages60

Reading Time2 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

UK Biodiversity Indicators 2021

Assessing Indicators

Overview of assessment of change for all indicators

Assessment of change: all measures

Mainstreaming

Pressures

Status

Benefits

Implementation

Enquiries about the biodiversity indicators or this publication

Annex: Official Statistics

UK Biodiversity Indicators 2021 Revised Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Seacole Building 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF Telephone: 03459 33 55 77 [Website: www.gov.uk/defra](Website: www.gov.uk/defra)[ ](Website: www.gov.uk/defra)© Crown copyright 2021 Copyright in the typographical arrangement and design rests with the Crown. This publication (excluding logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright with the title and source of the publication specified. This document, with additional supporting data and text, is available to be downloaded on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website: [jncc.gov.uk/ukbi](jncc.gov.uk/ukbi) Published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference. Image credits: Images clockwise from top: 1. Monitoring © NatureScot/Lorne Gill 2. Orange-tipped butterfly © Jeannie Debs 3. Humpback whale diving © James Williams 4. Hoverfly © Natural England/Allan Drewitt 5. Swallow © Natural England/Allan Drewitt In October 2021 the following indicator was revised, leading to a revision of this Compendium document: A4 Global biodiversity impacts of UK economic activity / sustainable consumption As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, we would like to thank all colleagues who have contributed to this publication; your efforts in such difficult times are greatly appreciated Contents UK Biodiversity Indicators 2021 2 Assessing Indicators 2 Overview of assessment of change for all indicators 3 Assessment of change: all measures 7 Mainstreaming A1 Awareness, understanding and support for conservation 8 A2 Taking action for nature: volunteer time spent in conservation 9 A3 Value of biodiversity integrated into decision making 11 A4 Global biodiversity impacts of UK economic activity / sustainable consumption 11 A5 Integration of biodiversity considerations into business activity 12 Pressures B1 Agricultural and forest area under environmental management schemes 13 B2 Sustainable fisheries 16 B3 Climate change adaptation 18 B4 Pressure from climate change 18 B5 Pressure from pollution 19 B6 Pressure from invasive species 22 B7 Surface water status 23 Status C1 Protected areas 25 C2 Habitat connectivity 28 C3 Status of European habitats and species 30 C4 Status of UK priority species 32 C5 Birds of the wider countryside and at sea 36 C6 Insects of the wider countryside (butterflies) 40 C7 Plants of the wider countryside 42 C8 Mammals of the wider countryside (bats) 44 C9 Genetic resources for food and agriculture 45 Benefits D1 Biodiversity and ecosystem services 48 Implementation E1 Biodiversity data for decision making 52 E2 Expenditure on UK and international biodiversity 53 Enquiries about the biodiversity indicators or this publication 56 Annex: Official Statistics 57 UK Biodiversity Indicators 2021 A new set of global biodiversity targets is being negotiated under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)– it is expected that these will be agreed in spring 2022. To allow for a thorough review of these indicators it is anticipated that there will be a pause in publication in 2022, with the next update in 2023. We are keen to know the likely impact on users so please let us have your [views by emailing](views by emailing enviro.statistics@defra.gov.uk. In addition)[ ](views by emailing enviro.statistics@defra.gov.uk. In addition)[enviro.statistics@defra.gov.uk](views by emailing enviro.statistics@defra.gov.uk. In addition)[. In addition](views by emailing en

FAQs

What does the revised 2021 set of UK biodiversity indicators cover?

It covers mainstreaming, pressures, status, and benefits, organized by indicator sections A1 through E2 and includes an annex on official statistics.

How are changes in indicators assessed?

The booklet provides an overview of the assessment of change for all indicators and then details assessment of change across all measures.

Why was the indicators publication revised in October 2021?

In October 2021 an indicator was revised, which led to revisions of this compendium document, including updates to global biodiversity impacts of UK economic activity and sustainable consumption.

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

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