England's Biodiversity
England has a high diversity of habitats and many distinctive species, reflecting its geographical position.
Some of these are of European or even world-wide importance and we have a special responsibility to ensure their conservation. For example:
England has globally important populations of breeding seabirds and wintering waders and wildfowl, and 18% of the world's heathland.
We have internationally important populations of bats and oceanic lichens, and more than half the European species of bryophytes including one moss not recorded anywhere else in the world.
England is rich in veteran trees in ancient woodland and parklands.
We have more chalk rivers than any other country in Europe and over half the European resource of chalk coasts.
Nearly 20% of Europe's Atlantic and North Sea estuaries are in England.
There is a wide range of national and international designations protecting England's natural environment. Well over a quarter of the land surface in England is protected either because of its biodiversity importance or as a high quality landscape. These areas are important for our social, environmental and economic well-being, attracting visitors and businesses alike.
Habitats
Find out about England's habitats
Species
Find out about England's animals and plants.
Marine
England has some of the finest marine wildlife in Europe, with dramatic undersea landscapes, habitats and plant and animal species.
Non-native species
Find out what we mean when we use the term non-native species, and why they may pose a threat to biodiversity.
Natural Areas
Natural England has defined a comprehensive series of Natural Areas describing the wildlife and natural feature in each.
These have subsequently been incorporated into our National Character Areas.
Marine Natural Areas
We have also defined a series on Marine Natural Areas, which are areas of sea around England each with its distinctive wildlife and underlying geology.
