Tracking the silent changes to the UK’s biodiversity

The vast numbers and diversity of living things that populate our planet are in catastrophic decline – referred to by many scientists as Earth’s sixth mass extinction. But as Matthew Greenwell and Tom Oliver explain, it’s not only declining biodiversity we need to worry about but also genetic diversity within species.

A dark green fritillary butterfly

Biodiversity loss (the decline of both the number of individuals and species from our landscapes) is happening at an alarming rate and it’s happening now.

This is a view expressed by countless environmentalists, green campaigners and scientists at ever increasing volumes. At a glance though it is hard to see what all the fuss is about. England still appears to be a green and pleasant land, with vast areas still covered in fields.

But therein lies the fundamental problem. Our current views and understanding of what the countryside should be are a far cry from what they once were and what our wildlife requires to survive into the future.

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Pint of Science: Animals big and small

Noah’s Ark: Research on animals big and small

Love animals? Now’s your chance to hear the latest research on animals of all sizes. Join scientists for a pint, listen to them tackling big questions, and find out how and why it’s important to study animals on the Ark, great and small (with a sprinkling of comedy)!

Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez‘s talk, “Why Did The Rhino Cross The Road?” will tackle how roads are affecting wildlife, while Dr Michael Garratt will look at how important bees really are, and Anna Freeman will cover what’s living in the River Thames in ‘The ‘Blue Planet’ is a few steps away’.

To see the full details of the event or to book tickets, click here.