How it shapes the landscape. A keystone species, wolves, like lynx, alters the behaviour of its prey species, in this instance, primarily deer. This can reduce overgrazing and support the establishment of woodlands and mosaic habitats, which …

Background story. In Britain, the Eurasian lynx survived longest in Scotland until finally going extinct around 1300 years ago due to hunting and habitat loss. The youngest bone found is 1500 years old. There are slightly later cultural records, including an apparent mention in the medieval Welsh poem Y Gododdin, and a carving on a 9 th century stone cross on the Isle of Eigg.

Background story. In the UK wildcats are classed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).Due to persecution and habitat loss, they have been driven from England and Wales, and the remaining numbers are found in Scotland.

White storks are native to the British Isles and visit frequently. In 2020, the first two wild breeding pairs successfully nested at Knepp Estate in Sussex following reintroduction efforts. This was the first time in 600 years that white storks had bred in Britain. In the first four breeding seasons, 68 chicks fledged. Two captive breeding schemes are currently underway in southern England as ...

How it shapes the landscape. Pine martens prey on small mammals, carrion and insects, as well as eating birds’ eggs, berries and honey. There is growing evidence that pine marten predation has a positive impact on red squirrel populations, through targeting non-native grey squirrels.Grey squirrels are slower, more numerous, larger, spend more time …

Can we have them in Britain? Yes — if we clean our act up. Our rivers need rewilding if we are to successfully reintroduce this species, as we’ll have to remove the physical barriers that prevent them from migrating, or provide alternative routes around them, as well as ensure rivers are clean enough to provide them with food and shaded by trees so they are cool enough to …

Background story. The European bison teetered on the edge of extinction in Europe and was only saved by a zoo in Poland. Conservation breeding from the few surviving animals, and subsequent reintroductions (in Poland, Germany and Romania, for example) have …

Welcome to our page dedicated to the fascinating genus Zostera, encompassing a group of seagrass that includes two native species: Zostera marina and Zostera noltii.Commonly known as eelgrass, these two species are capable of thriving in the coastal waters of Britain.

Britain has the highest diversity of kelp in Europe. However, most of our kelp forests have been destroyed by adverse weather coupled with human pressures, such as bottom trawling, leaving seabeds lifeless and removing natural defences against coastal erosion.

How it shapes the landscape. The beaver is a keystone species and one of nature’s most awesome ecological engineers. Through the building of dams, the digging of canals, and the creation of dead wood, beavers create and maintain habitats where an abundance and diversity of life can flourish.