Biodiversity is the great variety of life: the plants and animals that live in the air, on the land, and in wetlands, rivers and seas.

Conserving biodiversity is one of the most important issues of the 21st century. It is key to achieving sustainable development and intimately connected to environmental issues such as climate change, pollution and disposal of waste.

Plants and animals are essential to life. They provide food, medicines, and the materials to create clothing, homes and furnishings.Plants assist with flood control, prevent soil erosion, and filter pollutants from water and air.

Biodiversity is vital to our well-being too. The natural world is the fabric of the landscape and the places that we like to visit in the countryside. We greatly value the wildlife in our gardens and local parks too. Experiencing wild plants and animals reminds us of the changing seasons and the natural cycles of life. It also brings into focus our responsibility for the health of the environment.

The world is losing biodiversity at an ever-increasing rate. This stark reality put biodiversity high on the agenda at the Earth Summit in 1992 and resulted in the International Convention on Biological Diversity. The UK government responded with a national plan of action for biodiversity in 1994, and has since produced many action plans for habitats and species at risk. Throughout the UK, local biodiversity action plans identify priority habitats and species in each county.

The Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire reviews the status of wildlife in Hampshire and sets out a framework for action. The action we take for wild plants and animals in Hampshire is not only important locally but essential for meeting national conservation goals.