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Climate change and development is taking its toll on both global and national levels. On launching its State of the Natural Environment report, Natural England said that:

"England needs a new approach to conservation if we are to tackle effectively the modern pressures on land created by climate change and development. The natural environment is increasingly under threat, both within and especially away from protected areas.”

Natural England concludes that the natural environment in England has become much less rich in the last 50 years and that it faces increasing threats through: more intense use of the land and sea; continuing economic development and climate change.

The key findings from the State of the Natural Environment report include:

- Although we are broadly maintaining the character of England's landscapes, 20% still show signs of neglect but within our landscapes there are significant problems. For instance, lack of woodland management is causing a 50% decline of our native woodland butterflies - the wood is still there but the butterflies aren't.

- Other habitats are also deteriorating - only 3% of our grasslands remain rich in native plants. We are seeing signs of stress from climate change, both on the coast, where habitats are being squeezed between our sea walls and the rising sea (25% saltmarsh loss from the south east of England), and on land, with a range of species moving northwards and upwards such as the mountain ringlet butterfly.

- There have been major declines in populations of breeding wading birds on unprotected lowland wetland grasslands, notably the snipe which is down by 90% in some regions.

- Where we target action we can make a difference. The long-term decline in many of our farmland birds is slowing thanks to more environmentally friendly farming.

- The overall condition of our most important wildlife sites (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) has improved dramatically in the last 10 years.

- Species such as the red kite are recolonising their former range after successful reintroduction, and heathland birds such as nightjars and woodlarks are increasing thanks to better management of our heathland.

Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: "We need to find ways to manage our landscape to create a mosaic of uses so that we can help wildlife survive - be it through a new 'national park' around the length of England's coastline, better use of the green belt or improved use of public funding for farmers to deliver a better natural environment."

"If we don't act, there's a real danger some of our most precious wildlife will be lost forever and our lives will be poorer for it," concluded Helen Phillips.

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