The species at risk of extinction in Wales named in first of its kind report – BBC

Report on Biodiversity Loss in Wales and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

A recent study by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), titled “Species in Peril,” reveals a critical threat to biodiversity within Wales, directly impacting the nation’s progress towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land). The report identifies thousands of species at imminent risk of extinction due to extreme geographical restriction, highlighting the urgent need for targeted conservation actions to halt biodiversity loss as mandated by SDG Target 15.5.

2.0 Analysis of Threats to Terrestrial Ecosystems (SDG 15)

The findings present a stark challenge to the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems. The primary threats identified align with global pressures recognized by the SDGs.

• Geographical Restriction: 3,000 species now exist in five or fewer locations within Wales, making them highly susceptible to localised threats.
• Habitat Loss: The degradation of natural habitats remains a primary driver of species decline, contravening the principles of SDG 15.
• Climate Change: Climate-related pressures, including extreme weather events, exacerbate the vulnerability of these restricted populations, underscoring the interconnectedness of SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Recorded Extinctions: Since the year 2000, Wales has recorded the geographical extinction of 11 species, including the European turtle dove and the belted beauty moth, representing a direct failure to meet biodiversity targets.

3.0 Species Requiring Urgent Action under SDG Target 15.5

The report specifies several species whose survival is in peril, demanding immediate intervention to prevent their extinction.

1. High brown fritillary butterfly
2. Snowdon leaf beetle
3. Arctic-Alpine pea mussel
4. Woolly feather-moss
5. Eyed chestnut wrinkle-lichen

4.0 Proposed Conservation Strategies for Sustainable Land Management

NRW proposes a series of targeted, low-cost measures that promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15) and can be integrated into local and national planning (SDG Target 15.9).

• Sustainable Land Management Practices:
  • Modification of livestock grazing regimes.
  • Adjusting schedules for cutting grass.
  • Implementing alternative hedge trimming techniques.
• Strengthening Protected Areas: The report validates the critical role of designated areas such as National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in achieving SDG 15. Newborough Warren on Anglesey, for example, is a vital habitat for 130 at-risk species.
• Habitat Restoration Success: Restoration projects, such as opening up sand dunes at Newborough, have yielded rapid positive results. The reappearance of beetle species absent for a decade demonstrates that targeted actions can successfully reverse habitat degradation.

5.0 Outlook and Path Forward for Achieving Global Goals

The report concludes with a cautiously optimistic outlook, suggesting that strategic conservation can lead to significant success stories. The potential for geographically extinct species, such as the European turtle dove, to return through improved habitat conditions offers a positive vision. By implementing the report’s findings, Wales can create a robust framework for action that not only protects its unique natural heritage but also makes a substantial contribution to achieving global targets under SDG 15 (Life on Land) and enhancing resilience under SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to two Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 15: Life on Land: This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire discussion revolves around the protection of terrestrial species in Wales, the threat of extinction, the loss of biodiversity, and the conservation of natural habitats. The “Species in Peril” report, which identifies thousands of species at risk, directly relates to the core objectives of SDG 15.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly mentions that species are highly vulnerable to “climate change.” This connects the issue of biodiversity loss to the broader challenge of climate change, highlighting how climate impacts are a direct threat to ecosystems and species survival. Conservation efforts are therefore also a form of climate adaptation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.”
  • Explanation: The article is centered on this target. It highlights that “Thousands of species [are] at risk of extinction in Wales” and that “Wales has already witnessed the loss of 11 species.” The efforts by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to identify and protect the country’s rarest species, such as the high brown fritillary butterfly, are direct actions aimed at preventing further extinctions and halting biodiversity loss.
• Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…”
  • Explanation: The article emphasizes the importance of specific ecosystems for species survival. It “pinpoints the role both nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) play in ensuring plants and animals survive.” The example of Newborough Warren, a designated national nature reserve, and the projects underway there to “improve the environment” directly align with the conservation and restoration of key terrestrial ecosystems.
• Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.”
  • Explanation: The article identifies “climate change” as a primary threat making species “highly vulnerable.” The “Species in Peril” report, created by a government body (NRW) to “focus resources on areas at highest risk,” represents an integration of climate change adaptation measures (protecting vulnerable species) into national conservation strategy and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for Target 15.5:
  • Number of species at risk of extinction: The report identifies “Three thousand species” that “now exist in five places or fewer,” providing a baseline metric for conservation efforts. Progress can be measured by a reduction in this number over time.
  • Number of extinct species: The article states that “Wales has already witnessed the loss of 11 species” since 2000. Halting this trend or even seeing the return of species like the “European turtle dove” would be a key indicator of success.
  • Population status of specific threatened species: The article names the “high brown fritillary butterfly” and “Snowdon leaf beetle” as species facing peril. Monitoring the population and geographic distribution of these specific species serves as a direct indicator of the effectiveness of conservation actions.
• Indicators for Target 15.1:
  • Effectiveness of protected areas: The article highlights Newborough Warren, which is “home to 130 of the at-risk species.” The success of restoration projects there is demonstrated by the fact that “species of beetle, which hadn’t been recorded on Newborough for about 10 years, suddenly appearing in huge numbers.” This reappearance serves as a powerful indicator of ecosystem restoration.
• Indicators for Target 13.2:
  • Implementation of conservation strategies: The article mentions several “low-cost, simple measures” proposed by NRW, such as “changing the grazing regime, changing when we cut our grass, not felling, looking at different ways of trimming our hedges.” The adoption rate and geographic coverage of these measures would be an indicator of the integration of climate adaptation strategies into land management practices.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com