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| 'Twice as many' species at risk | 'Twice as many' species at risk |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The number of endangered species in Britain has almost doubled in 13 years, according to a major new study. | The number of endangered species in Britain has almost doubled in 13 years, according to a major new study. |
| There are now 1,149 species of plants, mammals, birds and insects, and 67 different types of habitat under threat from climate change and human activity. | There are now 1,149 species of plants, mammals, birds and insects, and 67 different types of habitat under threat from climate change and human activity. |
| Grahame Madge from the RSPB said there must be serious action to restore a "healthy countryside rich in wildlife". | Grahame Madge from the RSPB said there must be serious action to restore a "healthy countryside rich in wildlife". |
| Among the much-loved species are the skylark, dormouse, red squirrel, grass snake and several species of bat. | Among the much-loved species are the skylark, dormouse, red squirrel, grass snake and several species of bat. |
| The list has been compiled by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan a (UK BAP) and was the result of two years research by more 500 wildlife experts and a large number of volunteers. | The list has been compiled by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan a (UK BAP) and was the result of two years research by more 500 wildlife experts and a large number of volunteers. |
| They blame a range of factors including farming techniques and inappropriate rural and urban planning. | They blame a range of factors including farming techniques and inappropriate rural and urban planning. |
| The number of endangered habitats has gone up from 49 in the last survey done in 1994. Among those under threat are hedgerows, orchards, pine woodlands, meadows and sand dunes. | The number of endangered habitats has gone up from 49 in the last survey done in 1994. Among those under threat are hedgerows, orchards, pine woodlands, meadows and sand dunes. |
| Urgent action | Urgent action |
| The Priority Species and Habitats list also includes 14 kinds freshwater fish like the common sturgeon and Atlantic salmon, and 18 mammals, such as pine martens and water voles. | The Priority Species and Habitats list also includes 14 kinds freshwater fish like the common sturgeon and Atlantic salmon, and 18 mammals, such as pine martens and water voles. |
| READ THE WHOLE REPORT Species and habitat review report in full [2.36MB] | READ THE WHOLE REPORT Species and habitat review report in full [2.36MB] |
| Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| But the largest proportion of species are invertebrates like insects and spiders, with more than 400 at risk. | But the largest proportion of species are invertebrates like insects and spiders, with more than 400 at risk. |
| Matt Shardlow, director of Buglife, told the BBC's Today programme that species like the moonshiner beetle, glutinous snail and Viking sword fly must be protected. | Matt Shardlow, director of Buglife, told the BBC's Today programme that species like the moonshiner beetle, glutinous snail and Viking sword fly must be protected. |
| "What we need to do is to address the habitats as well as the species, start to put some of these habitats back into the countryside, get them into good condition so that the species are able to spread and thrive," Mr Shardlow said. | "What we need to do is to address the habitats as well as the species, start to put some of these habitats back into the countryside, get them into good condition so that the species are able to spread and thrive," Mr Shardlow said. |
| "Every public office holder has to have a regard for what is on this list this and make sure they're doing their bit to conserve it." | "Every public office holder has to have a regard for what is on this list this and make sure they're doing their bit to conserve it." |
| Researchers looked at the rate of decline of a species, in particular where the UK was responsible for a large proportion of the entire international population. | Researchers looked at the rate of decline of a species, in particular where the UK was responsible for a large proportion of the entire international population. |
| Quiet countryside | Quiet countryside |
| Fifty nine species and sub-species of birds (up from 27) are endangered, including the lesser spotted woodpecker and the black grouse. | Fifty nine species and sub-species of birds (up from 27) are endangered, including the lesser spotted woodpecker and the black grouse. |
| Mr Madge said much of the decline was due to the intensification of farming and the swallowing up of marshes, hedgerows and other areas for agriculture. | Mr Madge said much of the decline was due to the intensification of farming and the swallowing up of marshes, hedgerows and other areas for agriculture. |
| "Take the grey partridge - it should be on every farm in Britain. You should be able to walk less than a mile anywhere in the countryside and hear one," he said. | "Take the grey partridge - it should be on every farm in Britain. You should be able to walk less than a mile anywhere in the countryside and hear one," he said. |
| The grey partridge should be on every farm in Britain...now you have to make a real effort to find one Grahame Madge, RSPB | The grey partridge should be on every farm in Britain...now you have to make a real effort to find one Grahame Madge, RSPB |
| "It's a bird that our rural ancestors would have heard every day and now you have to make a real effort to find one. | "It's a bird that our rural ancestors would have heard every day and now you have to make a real effort to find one. |
| "That's why our ultimate aim must be to restore a healthy countryside rich in wildlife." | "That's why our ultimate aim must be to restore a healthy countryside rich in wildlife." |
| UK BAP is a partnership of government bodies and wildlife charities set up by the government after it signed the international Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. | UK BAP is a partnership of government bodies and wildlife charities set up by the government after it signed the international Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. |
| As well as monitoring species levels, it suggests ways to protect them, such as new legislation and physical habitat improvements. | As well as monitoring species levels, it suggests ways to protect them, such as new legislation and physical habitat improvements. |
| The 1994 report listed 577 species at risk. | The 1994 report listed 577 species at risk. |
| A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the list would now go before ministers for consideration. | |
| "When finalised we hope it will provide a provide a springboard for protecting threatened species for at least the next decade," she said. |