A study using tens of millions of wildlife records has found that UK native biodiversity has suffered an overall continuous decline since the 1970's with species groups that provide pollination and pest control services being particularly at risk.

The study, by scientists from the University of Reading and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, grouped the species records into categories depending on the key services provided by each, such as help with pollination, pest control, cultural value, decomposition and carbon sequestration. All groups saw declines in native species, although in some species groups newly arrived species were helping to provide some of the natural services that would be lost due to native species declines. However, groups providing pollination and pest control suffered greater declines that were not offset by increasing numbers of new arrivals. These services are therefore particularly at risk from continuing population declines.

For more information see the article from CEH here.