What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity or biological diversity simply means the 'variety of life'. This includes all life, such as animals, plants, fungi, and even bacteria!

Why do we need to conserve biodiversity?

If ever we need a reason for conserving the variety of life then there is glaring evidence of the loss of biodiversity, and the consequences of that loss. Globally, the main threat is massive human population growth, causing increasing land and resource use. Unsustainable forms of agriculture, industry, recreation and international commerce all threaten biodiversity.  These activities have increased the rate of climate change. Together, they have also caused rapid loss and fragmentation of habitats, and increased extinction rates of species and local populations.

Locally, threats to biodiversity include unsympathetic development, inappropriate management or neglect, recreational overuse, fragmentation and isolation, invasive species and pollution.

What is Sutton doing to protect its biodiversity?

Many organisations and partners have come together to produce and implement a five year plan of actions, known as Sutton's Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) ( PDF - 3.03 MB), to protect and improve wildlife habitats for the benefit of wild species. A summary of the Biodiversity Action Plan is also provided ( PDF - 2.52 MB).

The BAP is a partnership document. By working together, public, private, business and voluntary bodies can deliver far-reaching conservation and enhancement of wild species and wildlife habitats.

Contacts and getting involved

To find out more or to get involved call the Biodiversity Team on 020 8770 5329 or email richard.harris@sutton.gov.uk

Wildlife in Sutton

Plant list ( PDF - 178 KB)

Click on the links above to view a list of animals and plants found in Sutton

Links

Please click on the link above to go to a list of sites dedicated to wildlife and nature conservation