What is a Biodiversity Action Plan?

Blue Butterfly Since June 1992 the United Kingdom and over 270 other states have signed the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention commits each nation to taking action to reverse the decline in the variety of species (the 'biodiversity') found within its borders. In the UK this requirement has been transferred into Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. This Act requires the Government to list the most important species and habitats for biodiversity conservation in the UK and to further their conservation.

Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) are used at national and local level to promote biodiversity conservation. Separate Action Plans may address individual species, habitats or types of land but the aim of all BAPs is to set an agreed agenda for enhancing the natural environment to which a wide range of people and organisations can contribute. All BAPs follow seven basic stages :

1. Establish a BAP partnership
The partnership should involve all those who can influence the habitat (or species) concerned.

2. Review the current resource
A clear 'baseline' is needed in order to be able to develop and monitor targets for improvement.

3. Agree broad objectives
Identify the issues and what needs to be done.

4. Set specific targets
What improvements should be delivered and by when? Prioritisation may be necessary.

5. Identify methods of delivery, resources and a programme of action
How can the targets be achieved?

6. Publish the BAP and implement
The BAP document should summarise the five previous steps, including a clear work programme for all those involved and a monitoring programme to measure delivery.

7. Monitor implementation
Delivery of the objectives should be assessed periodically to measure success and to review the objectives, targets and delivery methods of the BAP.

For more information on the national BAP, see http://www.ukbap.org.uk