UKCEH was commissioned by the OEP to critically review the concepts of species abundance and species extinction risk, assess whether these metrics can effectively support biodiversity improvement, and evaluate the evidence underpinning England’s legally binding biodiversity targets.
The work responds to the Environment Act 2021, which introduced statutory targets for halting species abundance decline by 2030, increasing abundance by 2042, and reducing extinction risk by 2042.
UKCEH’s review focuses on two main areas: (A) the monitoring schemes and indicators used to track progress, and (B) the evidence and modelling used by government to set the ambition level of the targets.
This report supported the OEP's independent assessment of the EIP Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2022/2023
Disclaimer
This report was compiled by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) on behalf of the OEP. The views provided in this report are those of UKCEH and do not represent the opinion or position of the OEP. Some of the analysis in this report was used to inform the OEP’s work.