UK wildlife conservation needs new approach

12:34 8th November 2010

Wildlife conservation in the UK is not sufficient to prevent the loss of further native species, it has been claimed.

Garden and greenhouse fans often consider how to make their green space more animal-friendly, but a new report has shown that the facilities provided for animals in the UK leave a lot to be desired.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the government-backed Space for Nature report showed that the network of national parks and wildlife reserves is simply not enough to safeguard the future of many species.

It noted that facilities are often too small or too isolated to have any real impact on wildlife conservation in the UK.

Conducted by a team of ecologists, the survey made a number of recommendations to help the UK ensure its wildlife policies are more productive.

It suggested that a number of "ecological restoration zones" could be set up to create a network of protected areas.

Furthermore, work should be carried out to protect and expand "wildlife corridors" such as hedgerows, rivers and ponds.

In other news, the RHS has reported that a Norfolk conservation group has asked for assistance in locating a rare fungus it believes may be more widespread than first thought.