Accredited official statistics

England biodiversity indicators

A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services, Biodiversity indicators: 2023 assessment.

Applies to England

Documents

8 - Seabirds

12b. Plant genetic resources

Details

Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth: genes, species and ecosystems. It includes all species of animals and plants, and the natural systems that support them. Biodiversity matters because it supports the vital benefits humans get from the natural environment. It contributes to the economy, health and well-being, and it enriches our lives.

The 2023 publication of the Biodiversity Indicators provides a full update of all indicators for which new data are available. We have also improved the way in which we publish the indicators and set out a development plan for the indicators, on which we welcome feedback from users.

The UK and England Biodiversity Indicators are currently being considered alongside the Environment Improvement Plan Targets and the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets. When this work has been completed the references to Biodiversity 2020 and the Aichi Global Biodiversity Framework Targets will be updated and any changes to indicators will be explained in the relevant chapters.

Updates to this page

Published 29 May 2012
Last updated 7 May 2024 + show all updates
  1. Percentage figure amended.

  2. Additional sentence added linking to the new publication 'Indicators of species abundance in England'.

  3. Attachment 2a added.

  4. Natural England and Defra have identified a data licensing issue with the data contained in the England Biodiversity Indicator 2a and have had to temporarily withdraw the indicator. We are working together to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and aim to republish the indicator later in the year.

  5. Title of one of the indicators amended.

  6. Change to total figure for number of Rivers and canals (Total number of water bodies = 3,900) and not 3,901.

  7. Two images amended plus some minor textual changes.

  8. Image 1.5 amended.

  9. Correction to condition of protected sites long term assessment.

  10. Annual update November 2023.

  11. Major amendments to the text of the landing page.

  12. Natural England and Defra have identified a methodological issue with the protected sites data contained in England Biodiversity Indicator 1. The affected part of the indicator has been temporarily removed.

  13. Amendments to links to blog article and summary of the review.

  14. We have been made aware of a potential issue with the data relating to England 1. Whilst this is being investigated we have removed this year’s indicator. Until this is resolved the indicator from last year remains relevant.

  15. We have been made aware of a potential issue with the data relating to England 1. Whilst this is being investigated we have removed this year’s indicator. Until this is resolved the indicator from last year remains relevant.

  16. Publication updated with 2022 version.

  17. Revision made to England Biodiversity Indicator 18 (Spring Index).

  18. Typos in the review summary amended.

  19. Attachment added detailing Defra and Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) review of Biodiversity Indicators.

  20. Paragraph wording amended.

  21. Booklet updated, text amended and 2 documents ‘12a Animal genetic resources’ and ‘Technical background – Animal genetic resources’ replaced.

  22. Publication updated with 2021 version.

  23. 2020 assessment published

  24. Revisions to various indicators.

  25. One sentence of text and two links removed, as per instructions from the responsible statistician.

  26. Annual update.

  27. Annual update.

  28. Latest scheduled update as to progress of biodiversity indicators meeting goals and objectives published by the government for 2020.

  29. Update: Indicator C9a: Animal Genetic Resources was corrected and updated 30 November 2016

  30. New biodiversity indicators published

  31. Publication of the England biodiversity indicators delayed until 19 January 2016 due to statistical reasons.

  32. some minor corrections and amendments to the release and indicator 5

  33. Technical background papers updated.

  34. New biodiversity indicators published for 2014.

  35. Revised publication and annexes and addition of updated background technical papers

  36. 2013 edition

  37. First published.

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