What is biodiversity?

"Biodiversity" is now an everyday term.
Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of the living world. Its meaning can best be understood by considering it in two stages: first, all species of life - animals, plants, micro-organisms, and so on - and the genes that each individual contains; second, the critical inter-relationships or "ecosystems" which those species form. Wider or more detailed explanations can be found at:

Local Wildlife Organisations

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is the local branch of the Wildlife Trusts partnership under the Royal Society for Nature Conservation (RSNC) umbrella.

Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum draws together the many interests that touch upon wildlife and landscape in Oxfordshire. It is a lively and informal partnership of conservation organisations, farming bodies, environmental and recreation interests, as well as local government. ONCF has a membership of over 50 organisations as well as an established network of local communities, Local Agenda 21 contacts, academics and interested individuals.

Oxford Urban Wildlife Group is a volunteer organisation, promoting wildlife conservation in the city. It runs several practical projects, promotes wildlife gardening, and holds a variety of events, such as botanical surveys and wildflower walks.

Local Authorities all have nature conservation activities - check under "nature and countryside" for your local authority.

Natural England brings together English Nature, The Countryside Agency and The Rural Development Service. Working together with government partners and agencies, it is responsible for ensuring the conservation and enhancement of England's natural environment including the landscape biodiversity, geology and soils, natural resources and cultural heritage.
The office covering Oxfordshire is at:
11 Fenlock Court
Blenheim Office Park
Long Hanborough
Oxfordshire
OX29 8LN.
Tel: 01993 886540 Fax: 01993 886541.
Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

Businesses and Biodiversity

Businesses have a very wide range of direct and indirect effects on biodiversity. All of the topics covered by the Environmental Information Exchange have impacts on biodiversity - energy, transport, pollution etc. In this section, there is an emphasis on the more direct effects. The particular areas of concern are:

  • Use of land - where businesses own or manage land. The organisations listed above can provide information on surveying and managing land to benefit wildlife.
  • Use of natural resources - businesses may have choices in the purchasing of products (e.g. stationery, furniture) and materials (e.g. oil, timber). For further information, check our pages on green purchasing and eco-labels.

The Business and Biodiversity pages managed by Earthwatch include useful information, including "the business case", guidance on what actions businesses (of all types and sizes) can take, and several free publications.

The Oxfordshire (and other) Biodiversity Action Plan

The UK Government has developed three types of Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs), which set priorities for nationally important and locally important habitats and wildlife. These are Species Action Plans, Habitat Action Plans and Local Biodiversity Action Plans. For further information, and to view BAPs, visit UK Biodiversity.

The Oxfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan is coordinated by the Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum, and can be viewed on their web-site.

Legislation

There is UK and European legislation covering protection of specific areas of land, and certain animal and plant species. This is relevant to organisations owning or managing land. The Business and Biodiversity pages have a very useful summary of all the relevant legislation, with links to the laws themselves.

Natural England (formerly English Nature) can also provide specific information and advice on legislation and how to comply (see above for Oxfordshire contacts).

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