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Wales bio-diversity partnership

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Biodiversity concerns the different species that make up our eco-systems.

Biodiversity is important because the quality of soil, water, the climate and other life-support systems depend on how groups of species and their environment interact

Wales biodiversity partnership - New membership

The Partnership is currently looking for new members as part of its re-organisation.

The role

The Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP) brings together those from the public, private and voluntary sectors who are involved in biodiversity.

The existing Wales Biodiversity Partnership structure is being extended to embrace three levels of activity:

  • The Wales Biodiversity Partnership Steering Group (WBPSG) - the leadership group;
     
  • The Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP) - the wider group, key to success; and 
     
  • Task and Finish groups made up of members of Steering Group and the wider Partnership.

Members of WBPSG and the wider Partnership will be asked to sit on reference groups and attend policy gateway sessions when the Assembly Government revise or develop new strategies and policies.

A wider range of partners are currently being sought to join WBPSG and the wider partnership.

Interested?

Please complete a single application form for the steering group and the wider partnership.  All unsuccessful applicants for the steering group will remain in the partnership, so that it is possible for them to be brought into Task and Finish groups and also to reapply for the steering group when the membership changes.  Membership of the steering group will normally be for a three-year term in the first instance.

Applications to join the partnership can be made at any time.  Please visit the WBP website or contact the Nature Conservation and Biodiversity branch.

Visit: the Wales Biodiversity Partnership website (external link)

What is bio-diversity?

The definition of biodiversity provided by Article two of the Convention on Biological Diversity is:

'The variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part'; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

Further than this strict definition, biodiversity conservation has become a useful form of terminology for perhaps the most complex of all the issues facing humankind in the future: namely, how to meet the needs of a growing human population without compromising the variety and abundance of plants and animals and their habitats.

Biodiversity is important because the viability and productivity of soil and waters, the climate and other life-support systems depend on the interaction between groups of species and their environment.

The Assembly has a duty under section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out its functions; and is required to publish a list or lists of the species and habitats which are of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in Wales. The Assembly also has a duty to take reasonably practicable steps to further the conservation of habitats and species on the list(s), and to promote such steps by others.

The United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan and Millennium Biodiversity Report

Following commitments made under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity agreed at the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the United Kingdom Government has drawn up the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Within this framework there is agreement to promote awareness of biodiversity and encourage involvement of the general public. Habitat and species action plans have been also been produced to protect some of our most threatened species of plants and animals.

Sustaining the Variety of Life, the UK Biodiversity Group's "Millennium Biodiversity Report" on progress with the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, was published on 26 March 2001. The report looks at five years of action for the conservation of biodiversity and assesses progress on the 436 Action Plans for the most threatened habitats and species in the UK. The report emphasises five continuing challenges, including the need to ensure that Local Biodiversity Action Plans are developed and put into practice.

The report was presented to all the UK administrations.

The Minister invited the Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP), to advise the Assembly on the implications of the MBR for future biodiversity action in Wales. In May 2002, the WBP published their advice to the National Assembly for Wales on the UK Millennium Report. WBP endorsed the MBR and made a number of recommendations based on the key principles for biodiversity action in Wales:

  • Partnership - involving the range of public, voluntary, academic and business sectors;
  • Actions and targets - addressing the priorities for biodiversity conservation by establishing clear actions, measurable outcomes and accountability;
  • Policy integration - mainstreaming a concern for the variety of life into the development of integrated policies, to reverse declining trends in biodiversity as part of a commitment to sustainable development;
  • Information - underpinning decisions with sound science and knowledge and working in innovative ways to fill information gaps and understanding;
  • Public awareness - emphasising the need to capture the public imagination and secure an appreciation of the natural assets of Wales, which affects the choices people make in their every-day life.

Further information on biodiversity, including progress with action plans, can be found the UK Biodiversity Action Plan website.

The site includes important information and guidance on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 biodiversity duty, including the Assembly Government's statutory list of living organisms and types of habitats of principal importance for conserving biodiversity in Wales.

Visit: UK Biodiversity Action Plan website (external link)

The Wales Biodiversity Partnership

The Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP), established in 1996, brings together the key players from the public, private and voluntary sectors to promote, monitor and advise the National Assembly for Wales on action to maintain and enhance biodiversity in Wales.

Wales Biodiversity Partnership: Terms of Reference

The role of the Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP) is to promote, monitor and advise the National Assembly for Wales on action to maintain and enhance biodiversity in Wales. Specifically, the WBP will:

  • stimulate action and monitor progress on the implementation of Species and Habitat Action Plans;
  • promote good practice in the preparation and implementation of Local Biodiversity Action Plans, and monitor progress with local delivery of biodiversity objectives;
  • promote awareness of and involvement in biodiversity, and monitor progress;
  • maintain an overview of the range of biodiversity action by different sectors in Wales and assess its overall contribution to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity;
  • consider how funding might be encouraged from key partners for biodiversity activities in Wales;
  • report to the National Assembly on progress on implementing the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in Wales, identifying the key policy issues, and advise on the implications for future strategy in Wales;
  • liaise with the UK Biodiversity Group to report on progress and future plans in Wales and to co-ordinate approaches to common issues where appropriate.

Membership of Wales Biodiversity Partnership

Sub groups of WBP include the Local Issues Advisory Group, chaired by David Keast of Powys County Council (representing the Welsh Local Government Association), which advises on the production and implementation of Local Biodiversity Action Plans. There are 24 groups at various stages in the LBAP process and implementation. The south Wales LBAPs are supported by 2 regional groups (Glamorgan BAG and Greater Gwent BAG). The groups in Wales are supported by WBP who have employed an LBAP facilitator, Julia Korn (e-mail j.korn@ccw.gov.uk).

The site includes important information and guidance on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 biodiversity duty, including the Assembly Government's statutory list of living organisms and types of habitats of principal importance for conserving biodiversity in Wales.

Visit: Wales Biodiversity Partnership (external link)

List of Species of Principal Importance for the Conservation of Biological Diversity

On the 28 November 2002, Sue Essex AM Minister for Environment announced the publication of the List of Species of Principal Importance for the Conservation of Biological Diversity.

This List was prepared under Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 following a wide consultation process with the Countryside Council for Wales, the Assembly's statutory advisor on matters of nature conservation, and with other relevant partners.

Visit: Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 (external link)

Section 74 requires the National Assembly for Wales in carrying out its functions, to have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biological diversity in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Assembly is required to take, or to promote the taking by others of, such steps that are reasonably practicable to further the conservation of those species and habitats.

The List is based on the lists of species and habitats contained within United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan. During the passage of the CROW Bill through Parliament, the UK Government Minister stated that the new biodiversity provisions were intended to enshrine in statute the existing approach to implementing the 1994 UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) and the subsequent UK Steering Group Report. However it goes further by including a number of species that are of conservation concern in Wales.

Visit: list of Species and Habitats of Principal Importance for the Conservation of Biological Diversity (external link)

Natur Cymru is a magazine dedicated to promoting the bio-diversity of Wales.

Visit: Natur Cymru website (external link)

The Welsh Language Working Group for the Environmental Sector aims to promote and develop the use of Welsh in the environmental sector.

Visit: Welsh Language Working Group for the Environmental Sector (external link)