BBC Nature - UK butterflies continue to decline. 1 June 2012Last updated at 02:45 By Victoria Gill BBC Nature The population of the once-common small tortoiseshell fell by 25% in three years The British butterfly population is continuing a marked downward trend. This is according to a national survey which revealed that numbers of the insects fell by more than 20% between 2010 and 2011. The results, announced by the charity Butterfly Conservation, appear to contrast with a recent study revealing a boom in numbers of rare UK species. But while rare species may thrive in Britain's "pollinator hot spots", the more general outlook appears bleak. According to its co-ordinator, Dr Zoe Randle, the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS), gives a "scientifically robust" picture of the butterfly population throughout the country. "It's carried out in randomly-generated one-kilometre squares," she told BBC Nature.
In July and August 2011, more than 500 volunteers counted butterflies on these patches of countryside. Forests.
Red Squirrel UK. Welcome to WWF's global network. Invasion. The Sticky Tongue | Herpetology, zoology, biodiversity and conservation. Animals and Marine Life contains 3 pearltres and 6 sub-pearls. Eco-issues. Public Eye Awards 2011 - Nominations. Journey to the Sinking Lands. Climate talks stall with nations 'wasting time' 25 May 2012Last updated at 14:53 ET By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News The US was accused of being in a "coalition of the unwilling", along with other oil-fuelled states The latest round of UN climate talks has made little progress, observers say. The meeting in Bonn, Germany saw angry exchanges between rich nations, fast-industrialising ones and those prone to climate impacts. Campaigners spoke of a "coalition of the unwilling" including the US, China, India and several Gulf states.
Developing countries are also concerned about the lack of firm pledges on finance beyond the end of this year. This was the first negotiating meeting since last December's ministerial summit in Durban, South Africa. The key outcome there was an agreement to begin talks leading to a new global deal involving all nations.
The "Durban Platform", as it is known, will see the agreement tied up by 2015 and coming into force by 2020. Complex world Continue reading the main story “Start Quote Adaptation.