State of Nature is the most comprehensive nature report covering the UK. Working with professionals from over 60 research and conservation organisations, the report uses the latest data collated by the incredible work of thousands of skilled volunteers, to provide a benchmark for the status of our wildlife. Since 1970, the abundance of species studied has declined on average by 19%. However, we also know that before widespread monitoring began, the UK's biodiversity had already been highly depleted by centuries of habitat loss, unsustainable farming practices, development, and persecution.
As a result, due to human activity the UK now has less than half of its biodiversity remaining. 50 years of evidence presented in the State of Nature report, shows that the intensive way in which we manage our land for farming and the continuing effects of climate change, are the two biggest drivers of nature loss. At sea, unsustainable fishing and climate change are the major contributing factors.