National Science and Engineering Week 2010 in bid to save UK’s iconic and most loved wildlife
17/03/2010 16:30:01
Why our 5 species face extinction?
The bluebell -under threat from habitat loss from the destruction of ancient woodlands that they inhabit.
The Dormouse - has become extinct in seven countries in the past 100 years. Their numbers have been falling in the UK due to a decline in hazel coppicing
The Stag Beetle - facing a significant loss of their habitat. UK woodlands are on the decline, meaning there are less fallen, rotting trees for them to live under
The Corncrake - modern farming practices have led to the destruction of their habitats and their near extinction
The Greater Horseshoe Bat - has declined in the UK by up to 90% in the last 100 years due to the use of insecticides that kill their prey
SAVE OUR SPECIES (SOS) March 2010: As spring fast approaches, The British Science Association is calling on nature lovers, keen gardeners and those of us that just appreciate the first blooms of the season to help save five quintessential UK species.
The Bluebell, Dormouse, Stag Beetle, Corncrake and Greater Horseshoe Bat have all been chosen by National Science and Engineering Week from the European Red List of species at risk.
Find out why these five species are so vital for the balance of UK biodiversity, how you can help stop them from disappearing entirely from the national landscape and even vote on your favourite in an online poll on www.britishscienceassociation.org/saveourspecies.
On the site you can watch experts and popular personalities including garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, and explorer and lecturer George Mcgavin, give persuasive arguments for all of NSEW star species.
Top tips for saving the UK's star species
NSEW has pulled together some basic tips on what you can do in your garden - simply, easily and at no cost - to help preserve the biodiversity that the UK's big five and others depend on:
The Bluebell - Only buy native varieties of bluebell for your garden from licensed garden centres
The Dormouse - Keep your hedgerows
The Stag Beetle - Keep rotting wood and leave tree stumps in your garden to rot down naturally
The Corncrake - Increase and maintain tall vegetation. Tall grass that remains uncut can considerably improve chick survival and breeding success
The Greater Horseshoe Bat - Cut back on the use of pesticides on your garden plants.
Sir Roland Jackson CEO of the British Science Association says "There is so much publicity and emphasis on saving species and habitats abroad we sometimes forget how diverse, special and potentially vulnerable UK biodiversity is - that is why we chose five special UK species to help raise awareness. We hope our campaign encourages is a wake-up call and encourages greater interest and awareness of the UK's unique wildlife."
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