--- title: Why Should We Conserve Biodiversity? 7 Reasons (UK Data) description: "Food, flood defence, medicine, climate and the economy: 7 evidence-backed reasons to conserve biodiversity, plus UK recoveries that prove action works." image: https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/Reasons-to-conserve-biodiversity.webp --- [![Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock.png?width=312&height=75&name=Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock.png) ![Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock.png?width=312&height=75&name=Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock.png)](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/) [![Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock.png?width=312&height=75&name=Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock.png)](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/) - [Topics](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#px-topics) - [Biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/what-is-biodiversity) - [UK Ecosystems & Habitats](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/ecosystems-types-examples-uk-guide) - [Climate & Nature](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/climate-change-what-is-it-uk-guide) - [Wildlife & the Law](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/protected-species-uk-guide) - [For Students & Teachers](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#px-students) - [About](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#px-about) - [All Guides](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog) - [Topics](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#px-topics) - [Topics](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#px-topics) - [Biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/what-is-biodiversity) - [UK Ecosystems & Habitats](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/ecosystems-types-examples-uk-guide) - [Climate & Nature](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/climate-change-what-is-it-uk-guide) - [Wildlife & the Law](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/protected-species-uk-guide) - [For Students & Teachers](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#px-students) - [About](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#px-about) - [All Guides](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog) [Pixcellence Blog](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog) Categories **Browse All Categories** - [biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/biodiversity) - [conservation](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/conservation) - [definition](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/definition) - [climate change](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/climate-change) - [photography](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/photography) ![Clwyd Probert](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/blog/authors/clwyd-probert-watercolour-400.webp) By [Clwyd Probert](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert) on March 07, 2026 [biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/biodiversity) # Why Is It Important to Conserve Biodiversity? Last Updated: 7 November 2026 ## Why Is It Important to Conserve Biodiversity? 7 Reasons That Affect Us All Conserving biodiversity is essential because every ecosystem service humans depend on, from food production and clean water to climate regulation and flood defence, relies on the variety of life within ecosystems. The [WWF Living Planet Report 2026](https://www.wwf.org.uk/our-reports/living-planet-report-2026) shows monitored wildlife populations have declined by **73% since 1970**, and [Natural History Museum analysis](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2021/october/analysis-warns-global-biodiversity-is-below-safe-limit.html) places the UK in the bottom 10% of countries globally for biodiversity intactness. Here at Pixcellence, we believe understanding why biodiversity conservation matters is the first step towards protecting the natural world we all share. ![Illustration representing the importance of conserving Earth's biodiversity for future generations](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Conserving-Earths-Biodiversity.webp?width=800&height=447&name=Conserving-Earths-Biodiversity.webp) Biodiversity, the rich variety of life on Earth spanning genes, species, and ecosystems, underpins everything from the air we breathe to the medicines we use. Yet despite its fundamental importance, species are disappearing at rates **tens to hundreds of times higher** than the natural background extinction rate. This guide from Pixcellence explores the seven essential reasons we must conserve biodiversity, drawing on the latest scientific evidence, UK-specific data, and conservation success stories that demonstrate what is possible when we act decisively. ## The Scale of the Crisis: Where Do We Stand? Before exploring why conservation matters, it helps to understand the scale of biodiversity loss. The [IUCN Red List](https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/summary-statistics) (version 2026-1) has assessed **175,909 species**, finding **49,505 threatened with extinction**. That is about 28% of all species assessed. Some groups fare worse: 71% of cycads, 44% of reef-building corals, 41% of amphibians and 26% of mammals are threatened. The 2019 [IPBES Global Assessment](https://www.ipbes.net/global-assessment) found approximately **one million animal and plant species** are threatened with extinction, many within decades. Meanwhile, 82% of wild mammal biomass has been lost. These are not abstract numbers. They represent the unravelling of ecological systems that took millions of years to develop. To understand the [causes of biodiversity loss](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/loss-of-biodiversity-causes) in greater depth, Pixcellence has a dedicated guide covering the five major drivers. ## The UK Picture: One of the Most Nature-Depleted Countries The UK's biodiversity situation is particularly serious. The [State of Nature 2023](https://stateofnature.org.uk/) report, produced by more than 60 research and conservation organisations, puts the UK's Biodiversity Intactness Index at **42%**, the lowest in the G7. For comparison, [Natural History Museum researchers](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2021/october/analysis-warns-global-biodiversity-is-below-safe-limit.html) put the global average at about 75% and suggest that around 90% is a safe limit for healthy ecosystems. The headline statistics paint a sobering picture. Species abundance has declined by **19% on average since 1970**. One in six species assessed (16% of over 10,000) is at risk of being lost from Great Britain. Among UK birds, 70 species now sit on the [Birds of Conservation Concern](https://www.bto.org/our-work/science/publications/reports/birds-of-conservation-concern/bocc5) Red List, up from 36 in 1996. The [Mammal Society's Red List](https://mammal.org.uk/blog/2020/07/one-quarter-of-native-mammals-now-at-risk-of-extinction-in-britain) found 11 of Britain's 47 native mammal species, about one in four, at imminent risk of extinction. The total abundance of larger moths fell by [33% between 1968 and 2017](https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/state-of-britains-larger-moths-2021), and [80% of UK butterfly species](https://butterfly-conservation.org/state-of-uk-butterflies-2022) have decreased in abundance, distribution or both since the 1970s. Pixcellence explores the full scale of the [biodiversity crisis](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-crisis) in a companion article. ## 1. Biodiversity Sustains Food Security and Agriculture Every meal we eat depends on biodiversity. Insect pollination has been estimated to be worth around **£690 million a year** to UK crop production, supporting fruit, vegetables and oilseed rape. Yet the State of Nature 2023 report found that the distributions of UK pollinating insects have shrunk by 18% on average since 1970. Globally, [IPBES](https://www.ipbes.net/assessment-reports/pollinators) reports that more than 75% of the world's main types of food crop benefit from animal pollination, including many of the vitamin-rich foods essential for human nutrition. Beyond pollination, biodiversity supports agriculture through natural pest control, [soil fertility](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/soil-conservation-uk-guide), and genetic diversity within crop species. Soil organisms, from earthworms to mycorrhizal fungi, cycle nutrients that sustain plant growth. Wild relatives of domesticated crops provide the genetic variation needed to breed disease-resistant and climate-adapted varieties. When we lose species, we lose options for future food security. This is one of the core reasons [biodiversity is important](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-is-it-important) to human survival. ## 2. Healthy Ecosystems Regulate Our Climate Biodiversity-rich ecosystems are among our most powerful tools against climate change. Forests, peatlands, oceans, and soils absorb and store vast quantities of carbon dioxide, helping to regulate Earth's climate. UK peatlands alone hold approximately **3.2 billion tonnes of carbon**, yet the [IUCN UK Peatland Programme](https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/) estimates that around 80% are damaged, and many are releasing carbon rather than storing it. Conserving and restoring these ecosystems is not optional in the fight against climate change; it is essential. Coastal habitats such as seagrass meadows, saltmarshes and mangroves can bury carbon in their sediments faster, per hectare, than many forests on land. The relationship between [climate change and biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/climate-change-and-biodiversity) runs in both directions: biodiversity loss accelerates climate change, and climate change accelerates biodiversity loss, creating a dangerous feedback loop. ## 3. Nature Underpins the Global and UK Economy Biodiversity conservation is not merely an environmental issue; it is an economic imperative. A [PwC analysis](https://www.pwc.co.uk/press-room/press-releases/corporate-news/more-than-half-of-global-gdp-is-exposed-to-material-nature-risk-.html) found that **55% of global GDP (US$58 trillion)** is moderately or highly dependent on nature and the ecosystem services it provides. The [Dasgupta Review](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review), commissioned by HM Treasury, concluded that the stock of natural capital per person declined by nearly **40% between 1992 and 2014**, even as produced capital per person doubled. In the UK specifically, the [ONS Natural Capital Accounts 2025](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/bulletins/uknaturalcapitalaccounts/2025) value UK ecosystem services at **£41 billion annually** and total natural capital at **£1.6 trillion**. Bank of England analysis found that nearly three-quarters (72%) of the stock of UK lending shows dependence on ecosystem services. The [Green Finance Institute](https://www.greenfinanceinstitute.com/insights/assessing-the-materiality-of-nature-related-financial-risks-for-the-uk/) estimates that damage to the natural environment could reduce UK GDP by around 12% in the years ahead, a bigger hit than the global financial crisis or Covid-19. When biodiversity declines, economic risk rises across every sector. ## 4. Biodiversity Provides Clean Water and Flood Protection Healthy ecosystems purify our water and protect communities from flooding. Wetlands, forests, and floodplains act as natural sponges, absorbing rainfall, filtering pollutants, and releasing water slowly. In England, the [Environment Agency's 2025 classification](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-data-to-drive-action-to-improve-englands-rivers-and-lakes) found only about **14% of rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters** in good ecological condition, which has direct consequences for water quality and wildlife. Beaver reintroduction in the UK demonstrates how biodiversity restoration delivers practical benefits. Beaver dams reduce peak flood flows, trap sediment, improve water quality, and create wetland habitats that support dozens of other species. The Government [approved licensed wild releases in England](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wild-beavers-natures-engineers-to-return-to-english-waterways) in February 2025. The first took place at the National Trust's Purbeck Estate in Dorset in March 2025, and The Wildlife Trusts hope to release [around 100 beavers into seven English rivers](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2026/february/beavers-set-to-be-reintroduced-to-uk-more-to-come.html) during 2026, subject to approvals. Biodiversity conservation is, quite literally, natural flood defence. ## 5. Wild Species Are Essential for Medicine and Human Health Nature is a vast pharmacy. A [review by Newman and Cragg](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01285) found that about **two-thirds (65%) of small-molecule cancer drugs** approved between 1981 and 2019 were natural products, derived from them, or modelled on them. From aspirin (first developed from a compound found in willow bark) to modern treatments for malaria, heart disease and diabetes, biodiversity provides the raw materials and chemical blueprints for new medicines. Each species lost takes with it chemistry we have not yet studied. Biodiversity also protects human health indirectly. Intact ecosystems can help limit the spread of some infectious diseases, and keeping space between wildlife, livestock and people lowers the risk of new diseases jumping between species. Access to green space is also linked to better mental and physical health: Fields in Trust estimates that parks and green spaces save the NHS at least £111 million a year through fewer GP visits, and the [ONS](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/bulletins/uknaturalcapitalaccounts/2025) values the health benefits of nature in the UK as an asset worth £508 billion. The connection between [protecting biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/how-to-protect-biodiversity) and protecting human health runs deeper than most people realise. ## 6. Every Species Plays a Role in Ecosystem Resilience Ecosystems with greater biodiversity are more resilient to shocks, from disease outbreaks and extreme weather to the pressures of climate change. Think of biodiversity as a safety net: the more strands it contains, the stronger it holds. Remove enough species and the entire system becomes fragile and prone to collapse. This principle applies at every scale, from a garden pond to the open ocean. Mixed-species forests tend to cope better with pests and drought than single-species plantations, and reefs with many kinds of coral and fish are generally better placed to recover after disturbance. [Biodiversity hotspots](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-hotspots) that harbour exceptional concentrations of species are disproportionately important for global ecosystem stability. Conserving biodiversity is not about saving individual species in isolation; it is about maintaining the complex web of relationships that keeps ecosystems functioning. ## 7. Biodiversity Has Intrinsic Value and Cultural Significance Beyond the practical services biodiversity provides, the natural world has profound intrinsic value. Species have a right to exist regardless of their utility to humans. The dawn chorus, the flash of a kingfisher along a riverbank, the ancient oak standing in a hedgerow: these experiences enrich our lives in ways that economics cannot fully capture. Cultural traditions across the globe are intimately tied to the natural world. In the UK, our connection to nature runs through literature, art, music, and recreation. Over **590,000 people** participated in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in 2025, counting 9.1 million birds in the world's largest garden wildlife survey. This extraordinary level of engagement reflects a deep public desire to connect with and protect biodiversity. As Sir David Attenborough put it in [a piece for Fauna & Flora](https://www.fauna-flora.org/voices/david-attenborough-everything-depends-nature/), everything depends on nature. ## UK Policy: What Is Being Done to Conserve Biodiversity? The UK has introduced several landmark policies to address biodiversity loss, though conservation organisations warn the pace of action remains insufficient. **[Biodiversity Net Gain](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-net-gain)** became mandatory for major developments in England on 12 February 2024 and for small sites on 2 April 2024. Under BNG, most new developments must deliver at least a **10% increase in biodiversity value**, with gains generally secured for at least 30 years. Sites of 0.2 hectares or less have been exempt since 6 August 2026, and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects come into scope from 2 November 2026. It is the first time law in England has required development to leave nature in a measurably better state. Pixcellence provides detailed coverage of [Biodiversity Net Gain requirements](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-net-gain-defined) in a dedicated guide. The [**Environmental Improvement Plan 2025**](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-improvement-plan-2025), published on 1 December 2025, sets out 10 goals, including halting the decline in species abundance by 2030 and restoring or creating 250,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside protected sites. After the 2025 Spending Review, the Government [committed more than **£2.7 billion a year**](https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/16/spending-review-2025-a-commitment-to-farming/) (2026/27 to 2028/29) to sustainable farming and nature recovery, with Environmental Land Management payments to farmers rising from £800 million in 2023/24 to £2 billion by 2028/29, a 150% increase. The UK published its [**National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan**](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-national-biodiversity-strategy-and-action-plan) (NBSAP) on 26 February 2025, committing to all 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the **30x30 target** to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. Progress is slow: Defra figures from July 2026 show that only **around 7% of England's land** currently meets the 30by30 criteria, and [Wildlife and Countryside Link's 2025 progress report](https://www.wcl.org.uk/assets/uploads/0/WCL_04_30x30Report2025_DIGITAL.pdf) warned that England remains far from the target. The [Office for Environmental Protection](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progress-in-improving-the-natural-environment-in-england-2024-to-2025) was blunt in its January 2026 progress report: the Government was largely off track in 7 of the 10 goal areas of the Environmental Improvement Plan. As OEP Chair Dame Glenys Stacey put it, "Nature's recovery is a pre-requisite of prosperity, health and well-being." ## Conservation Success Stories: Proof That Action Works Amid the urgency of biodiversity loss, there is genuine reason for hope. Conservation action demonstrably works when given adequate resources and political commitment. These success stories remind us that the trajectory of decline is not inevitable. **The Iberian Lynx:** Once the world's most endangered cat with just **62 mature individuals in 2001**, the Iberian lynx numbered **2,401 animals** in the 2024 census of Spain and Portugal. In June 2024, the [IUCN downlisted](https://iucn.org/press-release/202406/iberian-lynx-rebounding-thanks-conservation-action-iucn-red-list) the species from Endangered to Vulnerable. This represents perhaps the greatest cat conservation recovery ever achieved, driven by captive breeding, habitat restoration, and prey population management. **Knepp Estate Rewilding:** A [20-year ecological review](https://knepp.co.uk/2026/01/two-decades-of-rewilding-a-review/) of this 3,500-acre (about 1,400-hectare) [rewilding project](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/rewilding-uk) in West Sussex, published in January 2026, recorded striking results. Breeding bird abundance in the estate's southern block rose by **916%** between 2007 and 2025. Nightingales rose from 9 singing males in 1999 to 62 in 2025, and dragonfly and damselfly abundance rose by 871% between 2005 and 2025. The estate hosts one of the UK's largest purple emperor butterfly colonies, and in 2020 it saw the first white stork chicks hatched in the wild in Britain for over 600 years. **UK Beaver Reintroduction:** Following legal protection in 2022 and wild release licensing in 2025, beavers are returning to English rivers. [The Wildlife Trusts](https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/saving-species/beavers) have led multiple reintroduction projects demonstrating beavers' capacity to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and create habitats for other species. Scotland now has more than 2,000 beavers, and in England the first licensed wild releases are under way. **Marine Conservation:** [University of Plymouth monitoring](https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/marine-protected-area-status-can-boost-fish-populations-by-almost-400) at Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area found that, after bottom-towed fishing was banned across the site, the number of commercially fished species was **430% higher** inside the protected area than in comparable areas outside, and their abundance was 370% higher. Three pilot [Highly Protected Marine Areas](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highly-protected-marine-areas/highly-protected-marine-areas-hpmas) designated in 2023 represent the strongest form of marine protection yet applied in English waters. **Green Sea Turtle:** In October 2025, the [IUCN reclassified](https://iucn.org/press-release/202510/arctic-seals-threatened-climate-change-birds-decline-globally-iucn-red-list) the green sea turtle from Endangered to **Least Concern**, recognising a global population increase of approximately 28% since the 1970s. This extraordinary recovery was driven by nesting beach protection, community programmes, and trade bans across multiple countries. It demonstrates what sustained international cooperation can achieve. ## What You Can Do: Practical Actions at Every Level Conserving biodiversity is a shared responsibility. Here is how individuals, communities, and organisations can contribute to nature recovery across the UK. **In your garden and local area:** Create wildlife-friendly spaces by planting native species, leaving areas of long grass, installing bird boxes and bee hotels, creating pond habitats, and reducing pesticide use. Even small gardens and window boxes provide stepping stones for wildlife moving through urban landscapes. **Through citizen science:** Join programmes like the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, iRecord, or the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. Citizen science data directly informs conservation policy and fills critical monitoring gaps. Over 590,000 people took part in the 2025 Birdwatch alone. **By supporting conservation organisations:** Membership of and donations to organisations such as the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, and local conservation groups fund habitat protection, species recovery, and advocacy work. Volunteering for practical conservation tasks multiplies the impact further. **Through your choices:** Reduce consumption of single-use plastics. Choose sustainably sourced food and products. Support businesses committed to environmental responsibility. Reduce food waste, which drives unnecessary agricultural expansion. **By making your voice heard:** Contact your MP about environmental legislation. Respond to government consultations on planning, biodiversity, and land use. Support campaigns for stronger environmental protections. Attend local council meetings where planning decisions affecting nature are made. **By learning and sharing:** Explore Pixcellence's [conservation of biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/conservation-of-biodiversity) resources and [biodiversity conservation](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-conservation) guides to deepen your understanding. Share what you learn with friends, family, and colleagues. Knowledge is the foundation of effective action. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why should we conserve biodiversity? We should conserve biodiversity because all life on Earth depends on healthy, functioning ecosystems. Biodiversity provides food, clean water, medicine, climate regulation, and flood protection. PwC estimates that over half of global GDP (US$58 trillion) is moderately or highly dependent on nature, and the WWF Living Planet Report 2026 shows monitored wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970. ### How much biodiversity has the UK lost? The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Natural History Museum analysis places it in the bottom 10% of countries for biodiversity intactness, and the State of Nature 2023 report puts the UK's Biodiversity Intactness Index at 42%, the lowest in the G7. The same report found a 19% average decline in species abundance since 1970, with 1 in 6 species at risk of being lost from Great Britain. ### What is Biodiversity Net Gain and how does it help conservation? Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a legal requirement in England for most new developments to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value, with gains generally secured for at least 30 years. It became mandatory for major developments on 12 February 2024 and for small sites on 2 April 2024. Sites of 0.2 hectares or less have been exempt since 6 August 2026, and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects come into scope from 2 November 2026. ### What are the biggest threats to biodiversity? The five biggest direct drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide are land and sea use change (habitat destruction), overexploitation of species, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. In the UK, the State of Nature 2023 report identifies changes in agricultural land management and climate change as the two biggest drivers on land and in freshwater, with pollution, development and invasive species adding further pressure. ### Can biodiversity loss be reversed? Yes, conservation action works. The Iberian lynx rose from 62 mature adults in 2001 to 2,401 animals in the 2024 census. In the UK, Knepp Estate's rewilding project recorded a 916% rise in breeding bird abundance in its southern block between 2007 and 2025. However, IPBES warns that delaying action could as much as double the cost of meeting biodiversity goals. ### How does biodiversity loss affect the economy? Biodiversity loss poses a serious economic threat. PwC estimates that 55% of global GDP (US$58 trillion) is moderately or highly dependent on nature. In the UK, the ONS values ecosystem services at £41 billion a year, Bank of England analysis found that 72% of the stock of UK lending depends on ecosystem services, and the Green Finance Institute estimates that environmental damage could reduce UK GDP by around 12% in the years ahead. ### What can I do to help conserve biodiversity? Individuals can support biodiversity by creating wildlife-friendly gardens, participating in citizen science programmes like the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, supporting conservation organisations, reducing consumption, choosing sustainably sourced products, contacting elected representatives about environmental policy, and learning about local wildlife through resources like Pixcellence's biodiversity education hub. ### What is the 30x30 target and is the UK on track? The 30x30 target commits nations to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. It was agreed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022. England is off track: Defra figures from July 2026 show that only around 7% of England's land currently meets the 30by30 criteria. ## The Time to Act Is Now The evidence is unequivocal. Biodiversity conservation is not a luxury or a niche concern. It is fundamental to food security, economic stability, climate resilience, clean water, human health, and the cultural richness that makes life worth living. The UK, as one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, carries a particular responsibility to lead on nature recovery. The [IPBES Transformative Change Assessment](https://www.ipbes.net/transformative-change/media-release) (December 2024) found that acting immediately could generate **over US$10 trillion in business opportunity value** and support 395 million jobs globally by 2030. The IPBES [Nexus Assessment](https://www.ipbes.net/nexus/media-release), agreed the same month, warns that delaying action could as much as double the cost of meeting biodiversity goals. As the success stories in this article demonstrate, conservation works when given the resources and commitment it demands. At Pixcellence, we are dedicated to making biodiversity education accessible, engaging, and actionable for everyone who cares about protecting the natural world. Explore our [biodiversity overview](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-an-overview) for a comprehensive introduction, or discover practical steps in our guide to [how to protect biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/how-to-protect-biodiversity). ## References and Sources - WWF & ZSL, *Living Planet Report 2026*, October 2026 - [wwf.org.uk](https://www.wwf.org.uk/our-reports/living-planet-report-2026) - IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Version 2026-1 - [iucnredlist.org](https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/summary-statistics) - IPBES, *Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services*, 2019 - [ipbes.net](https://www.ipbes.net/global-assessment) - IPBES, *Transformative Change Assessment*, December 2024 - [ipbes.net](https://www.ipbes.net/transformative-change-assessment) - State of Nature Partnership, *State of Nature 2023*, September 2023 - [stateofnature.org.uk](https://stateofnature.org.uk/) - HM Treasury, *The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review*, February 2021 - [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review) - ONS, *UK Natural Capital Accounts 2025*, December 2025 - [ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/bulletins/uknaturalcapitalaccounts/2025) - PwC, *Managing nature risks: From understanding to action*, April 2023 - [pwc.com](https://www.pwc.co.uk/press-room/press-releases/corporate-news/more-than-half-of-global-gdp-is-exposed-to-material-nature-risk-.html) - Wildlife and Countryside Link, *30by30 2025 UK Progress Report*, 2025 - [wcl.org.uk](https://www.wcl.org.uk/assets/uploads/0/WCL_04_30x30Report2025_DIGITAL.pdf) - OEP, *Progress in Improving the Natural Environment 2024/2025*, January 2026 - [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progress-in-improving-the-natural-environment-in-england-2024-to-2025) - GOV.UK, *Environmental Improvement Plan 2025*, December 2025 - [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-improvement-plan-2025/environmental-improvement-plan-eip-2025) - Green Finance Institute, *Assessing the Materiality of Nature-Related Financial Risks for the UK*, 2024 - [greenfinanceinstitute.com](https://www.greenfinanceinstitute.com/insights/assessing-the-materiality-of-nature-related-financial-risks-for-the-uk/) - IUCN, *Iberian Lynx Conservation Success*, June 2024 - [iucn.org](https://iucn.org/press-release/202406/iberian-lynx-rebounding-thanks-conservation-action-iucn-red-list) - Knepp Estate, *Two Decades of Rewilding: A Review*, January 2026 - [knepp.co.uk](https://knepp.co.uk/2026/01/two-decades-of-rewilding-a-review/) - University of Plymouth, Lyme Bay MPA monitoring - [plymouth.ac.uk](https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/marine-protected-area-status-can-boost-fish-populations-by-almost-400) - Fauna & Flora, *Sir David Attenborough: Everything depends on nature* - [fauna-flora.org](https://www.fauna-flora.org/voices/david-attenborough-everything-depends-nature/) - Natural History Museum, *Analysis warns global biodiversity is below 'safe limit'*, October 2021 - [nhm.ac.uk](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2021/october/analysis-warns-global-biodiversity-is-below-safe-limit.html) - Environment Agency, *2025 water classifications for England*, August 2026 - [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-data-to-drive-action-to-improve-englands-rivers-and-lakes) - Newman, D.J. and Cragg, G.M., *Natural Products as Sources of New Drugs over the Nearly Four Decades from 01/1981 to 09/2019*, Journal of Natural Products, 2020 - [pubs.acs.org](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01285) - IPBES, *Nexus Assessment*, December 2024 - [ipbes.net](https://www.ipbes.net/nexus-assessment) - Defra, *Spending Review 2025: a commitment to farming*, June 2025 - [defrafarming.blog.gov.uk](https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/16/spending-review-2025-a-commitment-to-farming/) Share [![Share on Facebook](https://www.lean-labs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LLv2/images/icon-blog-facebook.png?noresize&width=24&name=icon-blog-facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pixcellence.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fwhy-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://www.lean-labs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LLv2/images/icon-blog-linkedin.png?noresize&width=24&name=icon-blog-linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pixcellence.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fwhy-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://www.lean-labs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LLv2/images/icon-blog-twitter.png?noresize&width=24&name=icon-blog-twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pixcellence.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fwhy-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pixcellence.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fwhy-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Why%20Should%20We%20Conserve%20Biodiversity%3F%207%20Reasons%20%28UK%20Data%29) Published by [Clwyd Probert](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert) March 7, 2026 ![Clwyd Probert](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/blog/authors/clwyd-probert-watercolour-400.webp) [![Watercolour of a former arable field restored as a wet floodplain meadow with shallow scrapes, ragged robin and young trees, and two lapwings, one in display flight.](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/bng-guide-habitat-bank-20261029-20261029-112350.webp) Read More](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-net-gain-defined) [biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/biodiversity) By [Clwyd Probert](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert) on October 29, 2026 ### [Biodiversity Net Gain Defined: BNG in Plain English (2026)](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-net-gain-defined) [![Watercolour of a new English village edge at dusk, with a flower-rich meadow, young hedgerow and wildlife pond in the foreground and a barn owl hunting low over the grass.](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/bng-guide-hero-20261029-20261029-112343.webp) Read More](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-net-gain) [biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/biodiversity) By [Clwyd Probert](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert) on October 29, 2026 ### [Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Explained: The 2026 Guide for England](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/biodiversity-net-gain) [![Watercolour of a rewilded English river valley with a beaver dam, red deer, wildflowers and red kites overhead.](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/rewilding-uk-hero-hero-1.webp) Read More](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/rewilding-uk) [biodiversity](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/tag/biodiversity) By [Clwyd Probert](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert) on May 01, 2026 ### [Rewilding in the UK & Beyond: Evidence, Projects and What It Means for Nature Recovery](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/rewilding-uk) [Pixcellence](https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/) Every guide cites UK primary sources, keeps evidence separate from interpretation, and shows when it was last updated. 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They are never photographs. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Clwyd Probert", "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert" }, "dateModified" : "2026-03-07T11:59:08.624Z", "datePublished" : "2026-03-07T11:59:08.000Z", "headline" : "Why Should We Conserve Biodiversity? 7 Reasons (UK Data)", "image" : [ "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/Reasons-to-conserve-biodiversity.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/pixcellence-logo.png" }, "name" : "Pixcellence" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Clwyd Probert", "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert" }, "dateModified" : "2026-11-07", "datePublished" : "2026-03-07T11:59:08Z", "description" : "Discover the importance of conserving biodiversity for human survival and well-being, and learn about its benefits, threats, and conservation actions.", "headline" : "Why Is It Important to Conserve Biodiversity?", "image" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hubfs/Reasons-to-conserve-biodiversity.webp", "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://20263839.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20263839/logo.png" }, "name" : "Pixcellence", "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "GB", "addressLocality" : "London", "addressRegion" : "England", "postalCode" : "W12 8LR" }, "description" : "Pixcellence is an evidence-led guide to UK biodiversity and climate, illustrated in the tradition of Victorian natural-history watercolour.", "founder" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Clwyd Probert" }, "foundingDate" : "2005", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 75, "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Pixcellence-Logo-CLR-Sidelock.png", "width" : 312 }, "name" : "Pixcellence", "sameAs" : [ "https://twitter.com/Pixcellence" ], "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "name" : "Pixcellence", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#webpage", "@type" : "WebPage", "dateModified" : "2026-11-07T10:00:00+00:00", "datePublished" : "2023-02-16T10:00:00+00:00", "isPartOf" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#website" }, "name" : "Why Is It Important to Conserve Biodiversity? 7 Reasons That Affect Us All", "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#article", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert#person", "@type" : "Person", "knowsAbout" : [ "Biodiversity", "Conservation", "Wildlife Photography", "Environmental Education" ], "name" : "Clwyd Probert", "url" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/author/clwyd-probert", "worksFor" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Pixcellence" } }, "dateModified" : "2026-11-07T10:00:00+00:00", "datePublished" : "2023-02-16T10:00:00+00:00", "description" : "Conserving biodiversity protects the ecosystems that sustain all life on Earth, including human food security, clean water, medicine, and climate stability. This comprehensive guide from Pixcellence explores the 7 essential reasons biodiversity conservation matters, with current UK statistics, policy developments, and conservation success stories.", "headline" : "Why Is It Important to Conserve Biodiversity? 7 Reasons That Affect Us All", "isPartOf" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#webpage" }, "keywords" : [ "why should we conserve biodiversity", "importance of biodiversity conservation", "why is conservation of biodiversity important", "biodiversity conservation UK", "why do we need to conserve biodiversity" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#webpage" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/#organization" }, "wordCount" : 4200 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-1", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "We should conserve biodiversity because all life on Earth depends on healthy, functioning ecosystems. Biodiversity provides food, clean water, medicine, climate regulation, and flood protection. PwC estimates that over half of global GDP (US$58 trillion) is moderately or highly dependent on nature, and the WWF Living Planet Report 2026 shows monitored wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970." }, "name" : "Why should we conserve biodiversity?" }, { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-2", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Natural History Museum analysis places it in the bottom 10% of countries for biodiversity intactness, and the State of Nature 2023 report puts the UK's Biodiversity Intactness Index at 42%, the lowest in the G7. The same report found a 19% average decline in species abundance since 1970, with 1 in 6 species at risk of being lost from Great Britain." }, "name" : "How much biodiversity has the UK lost?" }, { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-3", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a legal requirement in England for most new developments to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value, with gains generally secured for at least 30 years. It became mandatory for major developments on 12 February 2024 and for small sites on 2 April 2024. Sites of 0.2 hectares or less have been exempt since 6 August 2026, and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects come into scope from 2 November 2026." }, "name" : "What is Biodiversity Net Gain and how does it help conservation?" }, { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-4", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The five biggest direct drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide are land and sea use change (habitat destruction), overexploitation of species, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. In the UK, the State of Nature 2023 report identifies changes in agricultural land management and climate change as the two biggest drivers on land and in freshwater, with pollution, development and invasive species adding further pressure." }, "name" : "What are the biggest threats to biodiversity?" }, { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-5", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, conservation action works. The Iberian lynx rose from 62 mature adults in 2001 to 2,401 animals in the 2024 census. In the UK, Knepp Estate's rewilding project recorded a 916% rise in breeding bird abundance in its southern block between 2007 and 2025. However, IPBES warns that delaying action could as much as double the cost of meeting biodiversity goals." }, "name" : "Can biodiversity loss be reversed?" }, { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-6", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Biodiversity loss poses a serious economic threat. PwC estimates that 55% of global GDP (US$58 trillion) is moderately or highly dependent on nature. In the UK, the ONS values ecosystem services at £41 billion a year, Bank of England analysis found that 72% of the stock of UK lending depends on ecosystem services, and the Green Finance Institute estimates that environmental damage could reduce UK GDP by around 12% in the years ahead." }, "name" : "How does biodiversity loss affect the economy?" }, { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-7", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Individuals can support biodiversity by creating wildlife-friendly gardens, participating in citizen science programmes like the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, supporting conservation organisations, reducing consumption, choosing sustainably sourced products, contacting elected representatives about environmental policy, and learning about local wildlife through resources like Pixcellence's biodiversity education hub." }, "name" : "What can I do to help conserve biodiversity?" }, { "@id" : "https://www.pixcellence.co.uk/blog/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity#faq-8", "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The 30x30 target commits nations to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. It was agreed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022. England is off track: Defra figures from July 2026 show that only around 7% of England's land currently meets the 30by30 criteria." }, "name" : "What is the 30x30 target and is the UK on track?" } ] } ```