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What is biodiversity?

© Richard Burkmar/EAS
Common Centaury on the Ainsdale DunesBiodiversity is the variety of life. It includes all species of plants and animals and the complex ecosystems of which they are a part.Biodiversity is the variety of life. It includes all species of plants and animals and the complex ecosystems of which they are a part. Biodiversity Action Plans were born out of the 'Convention on Biological Diversity' signed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro by a number of governments including the UK government. The North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan focuses on local priorities and also implements national biodiversity targets.

What is the Merseyside Biodiversity Group?

The Merseyside Biodiversity Group was formed in 1997 to progress biodiversity action within Merseyside. It is a partnership of local authorities, statutory agencies, conservation organisations, higher education institutions and local people. The most important element of this partnership is the local community. In our vision Merseyside is a place where biodiversity flourishes; where everybody helps to nurture and enhance our biodiversity; and where biodiversity is a natural consideration in policies and in society as a whole.In our vision Merseyside is a place where biodiversity flourishes; where everybody helps to nurture and enhance our biodiversity; and where biodiversity is a natural consideration in policies and in society as a whole.

See partners/links section for a list of group members.

What area do we cover?

The North Merseyside area consists of Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton. Close links are also maintained with Wirral. North Merseyside has a rich variety of life to celebrate and conserve. We have a stunning array of habitats and species, some of which are found nowhere else.

© Richard Burkmar/EAS
The Ainsdale Dunes

The North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan

The North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan aims to help local people become more aware of the area's natural environment and the issues facing it. The Plan is not a single published document, but instead comprises a number of individual Species & Habitat Action Plans and a Business PlanThe Plan is not a single published document, but instead comprises a number of individual Species & Habitat Action Plans and a Business Plan to prioritise work for conservation over the next few years. All of these documents, as well as a great deal more supplementary information, are available from this website. There are a total of 44 habitat and species action plans; each one describing the current status of the habitat or species, issues affecting its wellbeing, conservation objectives & targets and actions to meet them.