Paper 06 for the 6th UK Biodiversity Indicators Forum Meeting. 5-6 Dec., 2012.
Species Indicator Initiative
Background Information
Aim: To produce a biodiversity indicator, or indicators, to measure the changing status of
threatened species in the UK and its constituent countries.
Rationale: In order to assess progress towards national and international biodiversity targets,
and to improve species’ conservation prospects, we need a robust system of monitoring,
analysis and reporting for species in the UK (and individual countries).
The adjustments to the UK biodiversity indicators set as a result of the adoption of the Strategic
Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (including the Aichi Targets) at the 10th Conference of Parties of
the Convention on Biological Diversity means there is a need to report progress against Aichi
Target 12:
Target 12: By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and
their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and
sustained.
Approach to-date:
A Species Indicator Initiative (which reports to the UK Biodiversity Indicators Steering Group) to
develop options for indicator(s) to report progress with Aichi Target 12 is under way, with input
from both statutory and non-statutory organisations1. Any indicator(s) proposed by the initiative
must be fit-for purpose. This means the indicator(s):
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are relevant to the Aichi targets and European Union Biodiversity Strategy;
provide evidence to support reporting requirements under the UK biodiversity
framework;
support country biodiversity / environment strategies and their reporting
requirements;
make best use of data from the voluntary sector;
are representative of the UK (and, where possible, its constituent countries);
are easily understood by a non-specialist audience;
are clear, transparent, scientifically credible, and statistically robust.
Statutory organisations involved: Defra, Welsh Government, JNCC, Natural England, Countryside Council for
Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage, Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Non-Governmental Organisations involved: Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, Association of British Fungus Groups,
Bat Conservation Trust, Biological Records Centre, British Bryological Society, British Dragonfly Society, British
Lichen Society, Botanical Society of the British Isles, British Trust for Ornithology, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation
Trust, Butterfly Conservation, The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Hymettus Ltd, Mammal
Society, National Biodiversity Network, People's Trust for Endangered Species, Plantlife, Pond Conservation,
Rothamsted Research, The Wildlife Trusts. Other groups may be added to this list.
The initiative is jointly chaired by RSPB and JNCC.
Paper 06 for the 6th UK Biodiversity Indicators Forum Meeting. 5-6 Dec., 2012.
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Species List – An amalgamation of the four UK country biodiversity lists (S41, S42, SBL
and NIBL) has been created.
At present the initiative is considering three types of data that assess the changing
status of threatened species: abundance data, distribution data and semi-qualitative
assessments. Given the different types of data available, it is unlikely that it will be
possible to combine all these data into a single cumulative trend line.
o Abundance data is available for many species of Birds, Mammals, Butterflies,
Moths and Carabid beetles.
o Distribution data is available for over 1000 species from circa 10 species groups.
The BRC are leading on the collation and analysis of distribution data.
o Semi-qualitative assessments of species are available in a variety of forms, for
example National Red Lists or from targeted survey. How these assessments
could be represented in the indicator is still being investigated.
Quantitative trend information is available for around 5-10 % of the species on the
cumulative species list.
Combining species trends – Work is being undertaken to investigate methods to
combine quantitative species trends into a composite indicator. One possibility is based
on using a geometric mean.
Disaggregation – Consideration is being given to how the indicator(s) may be
disaggregated – for example by habitat classes, countries or other categories.
Questions to be discussed at the Biodiversity Indicators Forum
1. Should a threatened species indicator(s) combine quantitative and qualitative data? And if
so how could that be done?
2. Should the existing wider countryside species indicators (birds, butterflies, bats, plants) be
retained or incorporated within the new indicator? Why?
3. How can species data be represented in a clear, transparent, scientifically credible, and
statistically robust manner?