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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Beril Naz Hassan

80 per cent of Britain’s butterfly species have declined since the 1970s, report finds

The report highlights the reintroduction projects that are helping butterfly populations to recover

(Picture: Pexels)

Butterfly Conservation’s The State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022 report has revealed that the number of butterflies across the nation has fallen sharply in the past 50 years.

The country-wide nonprofit, which is dedicated to conserving butterflies, moths and the environment, said it was “hugely concerned” for the species’ future in Britain as it reported 80% of butterfly species have decreased in abundance or distribution or both since the 1970s. Out of the four UK nations, England’s butterfly population was found to have declined the most.

The species that were in decline included the Northern Brown Argus, with a 57 per cent decrease in abundance, the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, whose abundance was down by 66 per cent, and Grayling butterflies on a 72 per cent drop.

In the report, the charity highlighted that the Government needs to step up and take action to protect butterflies’ habitats, prevent more species from being lost and help the environment recover.

Talking about the findings, the CEO of the organisation, Julie Williams, said: “This report is yet more compelling evidence of nature’s decline in the UK. We are totally dependent on the natural world for food, water and clean air. The state of our species and habitats shows that the natural world is in trouble.

“We need swift and effective action on this. The decline in butterflies we have seen in our own lifetimes is shocking and we can no longer stand by and watch the UK’s biodiversity be destroyed.”

As well as the upsetting numbers, the report had some good news. It cited the successful reintroduction of the Chequered Skipper to England, and the widespread positive impact Scotland’s restored peatland has had on large heath butterflies.

Last May the Red List of British butterflies was released, which showed that half of all the remaining species in Britain are now classed as threatened or near threatened.

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