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Thriving plants and wildlife

The summary Figure shows the proportion of indicator components for which ‘Thriving plants and wildlife’ is the primary goal that have been assigned to each assessment category, with the exact number of indicator components shown as a label on the bars.

There are 15 indicators comprising of 33 indicator components in total with this primary goal. Some components were not assessed as they do not present results as a time series (C2i Seabed subject to high pressure from human activity; the 4 indicator components recorded under C4 Regional sea assessments and the status of coastal water bodies and offshore units for 4 UK seafloor habitats; C5a Changes in plankton communities; C5b Changes in phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton abundance; the 2 indicator components for C6 Diverse seas: status of threatened and declining features; the 2 indicator components for C7a Typical Length of demersal and pelagic fish communities; the 2 indicator components for C7b Mean Maximum Length of demersal and pelagic fish communities; C8 Healthy seas: marine food webs functioning; C9 Seafloor habitats functioning; D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats; and D5 Conservation status of our native species). Indicator component D2b Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England was only assessed over the short term as the time series is not yet long enough for a medium or long-term assessment to be carried out.

Of the remaining 16 indicator components assessed over the short term, 5 showed an improvement, 5 showed little or no change and 6 showed a deterioration; and of the 15 components assessed over the medium and long term, 6 showed an improvement, 4 showed little or no change and 5 showed a deterioration over the medium term; and 7 showed and improvement and 8 showed a deterioration over the long term.

Summary of assessment results - Thriving plants and wildlife

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Assessment results - Thriving plants and wildlife

Indicator component assessed Short term Medium term Long term
C2i Seabed subject to high pressure from human activity Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C3ai Abundance of harbour seals, North-east England Improvement Improvement Improvement
C3ai Abundance of harbour seals, South-east England Deterioration Improvement Improvement
C3aii Atlantic grey seal pup production, North-east England Improvement Improvement Improvement
C3aii Atlantic grey seal pup production, South-east England Improvement Improvement Improvement
C3bi Percentage of marine bird species achieving relative breeding abundance targets, Celtic Seas Improvement Little or no change Deterioration
C3bi Percentage of marine bird species achieving relative breeding abundance targets, Greater North Sea Deterioration Deterioration Deterioration
C3bii Percentage of marine bird species achieving relative non-breeding abundance targets, Celtic Seas Deterioration Deterioration Deterioration
C3bii Percentage of marine bird species achieving relative non-breeding abundance targets, Greater North Sea Deterioration Deterioration Deterioration
C4i Regional sea assessments and the status of coastal water bodies and offshore units - Seagrass Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C4ii Regional sea assessments and the status of coastal water bodies and offshore units - Rocky shore macroalgae Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C4iii Regional sea assessments and the status of coastal water bodies and offshore units - Saltmarsh Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C4iv Regional sea assessments and the status of coastal water bodies and offshore units - Soft sediment invertebrates Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C5a Changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C5b Changes in phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton abundance Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C6a Status of UK relevant OSPAR threatened and/or declining species and habitats Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C6b Status of Habitats Directive Article 17 listed costal and marine features Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C7ai Typical length of demersal fish communities Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C7aii Typical length of pelagic fish communities Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C7bi Mean maximum length of demersal fish communities Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C7bii Mean maximum length pelagic fish communities Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C8 Change in the biomass of fish feeding guilds in UK waters and surrounding areas Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
C9 Extent and distribution of potential habitat for seagrass beds and horse mussel reefs Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
D2a Extent of protected sites in England (sites at sea) Improvement Improvement Improvement
D2a Extent of protected sites in England (sites on land and water) Little or no change Improvement Improvement
D2b Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England (favourable condition) Deterioration Not assessed Not assessed
D3 Area of woodland in England Little or no change Little or no change Improvement
D4i Relative abundance of all species in England Little or no change Little or no change Deterioration
D5i Conservation status of our native species Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
D6ai Relative abundance of priority species in England Little or no change Little or no change Deterioration
D6bi Distribution of priority species in England Deterioration Deterioration Deterioration
D7i Distribution of pollinators in the UK Little or no change Deterioration Deterioration
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Potential links - Thriving plants and wildlife

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Potential links - Thriving plants and wildlife

Primary goal From Indicator To Indicator Correlation Rationale
Thriving plants and wildlife C2 Seabed subject to high pressure from human activity C4 Diverse seas: condition of seafloor habitats Negative C2 shows the intensity of potential physical damage on the seabed which will affect the condition of seafloor habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife C2 Seabed subject to high pressure from human activity C6 Diverse seas: status of threatened and declining features Negative Impacts from bottom trawling, as measured by C2, is a key pressure affecting many sensitive marine features.
Thriving plants and wildlife C2 Seabed subject to high pressure from human activity C9 Healthy seas: sea-floor habitats functioning Negative C9 will be measured by level of physical loss, which includes is caused by very high levels of human activity measured by C2.
Thriving plants and wildlife C2 Seabed subject to high pressure from human activity C11 Productive seas: status of sensitive fish and shellfish stocks Negative C11 will show the status of fish and shellfish that are particularly sensitive to pressures such as fishing mortality. C2 shows level of pressure from some types of fishing.
Thriving plants and wildlife C3 Diverse seas: status of mammals, birds and fish C8 Healthy Seas: marine food webs functioning Positive C8 will be based on the UK Marine Strategy food webs indicator which measures progress towards achievement of the Good Environmental Status by using the assessments of fish, birds, seals, cetaceans and pelagic habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife C4 Diverse seas: condition of seafloor habitats B3 State of the water environment Positive B3a assesses coastal waters and estuaries based on a saltmarsh indicator, C4c assesses the status of saltmarsh habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife C4 Diverse seas: condition of seafloor habitats C6 Diverse seas: status of threatened and declining features Positive C4 includes some habitats which are also threatened and declining features.
Thriving plants and wildlife C5 Diverse seas: condition of pelagic habitats C8 Healthy Seas: marine food webs functioning Positive C8 will be based on the UK Marine Strategy food webs indicator which measures progress towards achievement of the Good Environmental Status by using the assessments of fish, birds, seals, cetaceans and pelagic habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife C5 Diverse seas: condition of pelagic habitats C3 Diverse seas: status of mammals, birds and fish Positive The changes experienced by plankton communities could have implications for the health (functioning, dynamics and structure) of the whole marine ecosystem.
Thriving plants and wildlife C7 Healthy Seas: fish and shellfish populations C3 Diverse seas: status of mammals, birds and fish Positive Reduced availability of small fish, on which the seabirds feed, has been largely responsible for declines in seabird breeding abundance and the frequent, widespread breeding failures in some species.
Thriving plants and wildlife C7 Healthy Seas: fish and shellfish populations C8 Healthy Seas: marine food webs functioning Positive C8 will be based on the UK Marine Strategy food webs indicator which measures progress towards achievement of the Good Environmental Status by using the assessments of fish, birds, seals, cetaceans and pelagic habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife C9 Healthy seas: sea-floor habitats functioning C6 Diverse seas: status of threatened and declining features Positive C9 will be based on the level of physical loss of seafloor habitats, which are also threatened and declining features.
Thriving plants and wildlife D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Positive Across species groups we have seen significant declines mainly as a result of changes in land use which has led to the loss and deterioration of many wildlife habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive Across species groups we have seen significant declines mainly as a result of changes in land use which has led to the loss and deterioration of many wildlife habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive Across species groups we have seen significant declines mainly as a result of changes in land use which has led to the loss and deterioration of many wildlife habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Positive Across species groups we have seen significant declines mainly as a result of changes in land use which has led to the loss and deterioration of many wildlife habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive D1 will use habitat extent and condition information from protected sites, as well as other areas.
Thriving plants and wildlife D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Positive Nationally important SSSIs are designated with the aim of conserving specific biological or geological features.
Thriving plants and wildlife D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive Nationally important SSSIs are designated with the aim of conserving specific biological or geological features.
Thriving plants and wildlife D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive Nationally important SSSIs are designated with the aim of conserving specific biological or geological features.
Thriving plants and wildlife D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Positive Nationally important SSSIs are designated with the aim of conserving specific biological or geological features.
Thriving plants and wildlife D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea G1 Changes in landscape and waterscape character Positive Changes in environmental outcomes from our Designated Landscapes will be considered as part of the G1 indicator.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England A2 Emissions of greenhouse gases from natural resources Negative A2 includes negative emissions values from a forestry sink.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Positive Some widespread species indicators are for woodland habitat.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive Some native species occur in woodland habitat.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive Some priority species occur in woodland habitat.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England E5 Percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested Positive Source data for E5 includes National Forest Inventory forecasts of increase (increment) in the volume of wood that grows in England, which incorporate information on woodland area.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England G1 Changes in landscape and waterscape character Positive G1 will consider attributes of landscape such as woodland cover.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England G3 Enhancement of green/blue infrastructure Positive Woodland will be included in metrics of green infrastructure.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive Increase in the area of woodland increases the area, and potentially connectivity, of woodland habitat.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England E1 Area of productive agricultural land Negative In some situations, increase in woodland area will reduce the area of productive agricultural land.
Thriving plants and wildlife D3 Area of woodland in England G4 Engagement in the natural environment Positive Some visits to the natural environment will be visits to woodland.
Thriving plants and wildlife D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea Positive Protected area condition assessments take into account species composition.
Thriving plants and wildlife D5 Conservation status of our native species B3 State of the water environment Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Thriving plants and wildlife D5 Conservation status of our native species D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea Positive Protected area condition assessments take into account species composition.
Thriving plants and wildlife D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England B3 State of the water environment Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Thriving plants and wildlife D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea Positive Protected area condition assessments take into account species composition.
Thriving plants and wildlife D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions E2 Volume of agricultural production Positive D7 shows trends in pollinators which are important for crop production.
Thriving plants and wildlife A4 Rural background concentrations of ozone (O3) D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative Ozone can have adverse effects on the environment through oxidative damage to vegetation.
Thriving plants and wildlife A4 Rural background concentrations of ozone (O3) D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative Ozone can have adverse effects on the environment through oxidative damage to vegetation including crops.
Thriving plants and wildlife A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative Nutrient nitrogen deposition affects the nutrient levels and diversity of species in sensitive environments, for example, by encouraging algae growth in lakes and water courses.
Thriving plants and wildlife A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative Nutrient nitrogen deposition affects the nutrient levels and diversity of species in sensitive environments, for example, by encouraging algae growth in lakes and water courses.
Thriving plants and wildlife A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative Nutrient nitrogen deposition affects the nutrient levels and diversity of species in sensitive environments, for example, by encouraging algae growth in lakes and water courses.
Thriving plants and wildlife A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative Nutrient nitrogen deposition affects the nutrient levels and diversity of species in sensitive environments, for example, by encouraging algae growth in lakes and water courses.
Thriving plants and wildlife B1 Pollution loads entering waters D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Thriving plants and wildlife B1 Pollution loads entering waters D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Thriving plants and wildlife B1 Pollution loads entering waters D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Thriving plants and wildlife B1 Pollution loads entering waters D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Thriving plants and wildlife B2 Serious pollution incidents to water D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, death of fish.
Thriving plants and wildlife B2 Serious pollution incidents to water D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, death of fish.
Thriving plants and wildlife B2 Serious pollution incidents to water D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, death of fish.
Thriving plants and wildlife B3 State of the water environment D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Thriving plants and wildlife B3 State of the water environment D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Thriving plants and wildlife B6 Natural functions of water and wetland ecosystems D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive Indicator B6 is closely linked with indicator D1 on the extent, quality and connectivity of habitats as the naturalness of ecosystem function is also being considered within D1.
Thriving plants and wildlife C1 Clean seas: marine litter C3 Diverse seas: status of mammals, birds and fish Negative Marine litter can be harmful to wildlife. C1 includes indicator for plastic ingested by fulmars.
Thriving plants and wildlife E1 Area of productive agricultural land D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive As well as being vital for food production, agriculture helps to shape the landscape, providing important recreational, spiritual and other cultural benefits.
Thriving plants and wildlife E1 Area of productive agricultural land D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative As well as being vital for food production, agriculture helps to shape the landscape, providing important recreational, spiritual and other cultural benefits.
Thriving plants and wildlife E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative Farm practices and the use of inputs (particularly fertilisers and pesticides) directly influence the environmental pressures from farming including the quality, composition and availability of habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative D4 shows the decline of certain species groups on farmland.
Thriving plants and wildlife E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative Farm practices and the use of inputs (particularly fertilisers and pesticides) directly influence the environmental pressures from farming including the quality, composition and availability of habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative Farm practices and the use of inputs (particularly fertilisers and pesticides) directly influence the environmental pressures from farming including the quality, composition and availability of habitats.
Thriving plants and wildlife E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Negative Pesticide use affects pollinators.
Thriving plants and wildlife E7 Soil health D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Thriving plants and wildlife E7 Soil health D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Thriving plants and wildlife E7 Soil health D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Thriving plants and wildlife E7 Soil health D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Thriving plants and wildlife G2 Condition of heritage features including designated geological sites and scheduled monuments D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea Positive Geological sites are a subset of protected areas.
Thriving plants and wildlife G3 Enhancement of green/blue infrastructure D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive Accessible natural greenspaces have an important contribution to make to the quality of the environment in urban areas. Such sites provide important refuges for wildlife in otherwise impoverished areas.
Thriving plants and wildlife G5 People engaged in social action for the environment D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea Positive G5 includes data on volunteer hours from organisations that manage protected areas such as the Wildlife Trusts.
Thriving plants and wildlife H1 Abatement of the number of invasive non-native species entering and establishing against a baseline D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Positive The H1 indicator contains 193 non-native species that are considered to be exerting a negative impact on native biodiversity.
Thriving plants and wildlife H1 Abatement of the number of invasive non-native species entering and establishing against a baseline D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive The H1 indicator contains 193 non-native species that are considered to be exerting a negative impact on native biodiversity.
Thriving plants and wildlife H1 Abatement of the number of invasive non-native species entering and establishing against a baseline D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive The H1 indicator contains 193 non-native species that are considered to be exerting a negative impact on native biodiversity.
Thriving plants and wildlife H1 Abatement of the number of invasive non-native species entering and establishing against a baseline D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Positive The H1 indicator contains 193 non-native species that are considered to be exerting a negative impact on native biodiversity.
Thriving plants and wildlife H2 Distribution of invasive non-native species and plant pests and diseases D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative Preventing the spread of invasive non-native species limits their ability to disrupt ecosystems.
Thriving plants and wildlife H2 Distribution of invasive non-native species and plant pests and diseases D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative Preventing the spread of invasive non-native species limits their ability to disrupt ecosystems.
Thriving plants and wildlife H2 Distribution of invasive non-native species and plant pests and diseases D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative Preventing the spread of invasive non-native species limits their ability to disrupt ecosystems.
Thriving plants and wildlife H2 Distribution of invasive non-native species and plant pests and diseases D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Negative Preventing the spread of invasive non-native species limits their ability to disrupt ecosystems.
Thriving plants and wildlife H4 Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the tissues of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. Mercury is toxic and can cause damage to human health and accumulates in the environment and the food chain.
Thriving plants and wildlife H4 Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the tissues of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. Mercury is toxic and can cause damage to human health and accumulates in the environment and the food chain.
Thriving plants and wildlife H4 Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the tissues of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. Mercury is toxic and can cause damage to human health and accumulates in the environment and the food chain.
Thriving plants and wildlife H4 Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Negative POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the tissues of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. Mercury is toxic and can cause damage to human health and accumulates in the environment and the food chain.
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