Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity encompasses the whole variety of life on Earth. This includes all species of plants and animals, the genetic variation among them, and the ecosystems of which they are a part. It is about the commonplace as well as the rarities.

wheatear, eyebright, grasshopper, waxcap photos: Karen Shelley

2007-2008 BAP Annual Report now available

BAP Forum 2008

The forum met on 26 November 2008 at the Medway Centre in Bakewell.

Forum minutes and presentation and workshop downloads.

Why is biodiversity important?

  • A biodiverse planet is a healthy planet, the communities of plants and animals that make up life on Earth contribute to the production of clean air and water, and healthy soil.
  • Many new foods and medicines have been discovered thanks to the variety of plants and animals on the planet.
  • Biodiversity provides pleasure to people, and a source of income for sustainable businesses.
  • Biodiversity makes up the character of the landscapes around us.
  • But most of all, there is intrinsic value in the variety of plants, animals, fungi and the habitats and ecosystems they inhabit.

Conserving biodiversity in the Peak District is about conserving this range of wildlife habitats, species, and ecological processes for the current generation and for generations to come.

What can you do?

  1. Join a local conservation group to work on nature reserves or community projects
  2. Run an environmentally friendly business
  3. Follow the Countryside Code
  4. Volunteers sowing wildflower seed at The BeechesUse public transport
  5. Create wildlife-friendly gardens at home, work or school
  6. Make your buildings and gardens bird and bat friendly
    Wildlife and Buildings (2MB) Adobe pdf document
  7. Enjoy the wildlife on your doorstep
    Wildlife on your doorstep (80KB) Adobe pdf document
  8. Reduce, re-use and recycle
    Reduce re-use recycle (140KB) Adobe pdf document
  9. Buy local products and services produced in sustainable ways
    Buy local and sustainable (90KB) Adobe pdf document
  10. Get involved in national surveys
    Hummingbird Hawk-moth and Painted Lady survey
    Non-native invasive aquatic plant survey