Barn owl c. Andy Rouse/2020VISION
Priority species and habitats
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is a term which means 'the variety of life' on Earth, everything from algae to elephants, bacteria to blue whales! This amounts to something between 5 and 30 million species!
Biodiversity also encompasses the genetic variation within species and variation between ecosystems and habitats in which these species live.
We should also remember that the human species in all its variety and the domesticated plants and animals that we have adapted to our needs are also a very influential part of the planet's biodiversity.
The term 'biodiversity' was first used by zoologist E.O. Wilson to summarise the phrase 'biological diversity' when trying to explain the variety of life around (and including) us.
Biodiversity has the same meaning as nature and includes common plants and animals as well as those that are rare.
Priority species and habitats
England’s priority species and habitats
The list of priority species and habitats for England (as listed under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006) contains many of our rarest and most threatened species and habitats. It is used to guide decision-makers such as public bodies, including local and regional authorities.
The full list of England’s priority species and habitats (also known as species and habitats of principal importance or S41 species and habitats) can be found here . The list includes many species and habitats that are present in Cheshire
In addition to England’s priorities there are also a number of species and habitats which are considered conservation priorities in Cheshire. These local priority species are listed below:
Local priority species (also known as Local Biodiversity Action Plan LBAP species)
Birds
Barn owl
Black necked Grebe
Invertebrates
Club tailed dragonfly
Cuckoo bee
Downy emerald
Lesser silver water beetle
Mining bee
Ringlet
Sand wasp
Variable damselfly
Mammals
Atlantic grey seal
Common pipistrelle
Whiskered
Brandts
Daubentons
Leislers
Natterers
Serotine
Plants
Black poplar
Bluebell
Isle of Man cabbage
Ivy-leaved water crowfoot
Mackay’s horsetail
River water crowfoot
Rock sea lavender
Local priority habitats (also known as Local Biodiversity Action Plan LBAP habitats)
Dry stone walls
Gardens and allotments
Limebeds
Roadside verges
Waxcap grasslands
Contact us for up-to-date information on priority species in Cheshire
Contact
If you have an enquiry please contact naturerecovery@cheshirewt.org.uk or call 01948 820728.