In the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

a local biodiversity action plan (LBAP, pronounced 'ell-bap') is a plan aimed at conserving the fauna, flora and habitats – collectively referred to as

biodiversity Biodiversity is the variability of life, life on Earth. It can be measured on various levels. There is for example genetic variability, species diversity, ecosystem diversity and Phylogenetics, phylogenetic diversity. Diversity is not distribut ...

– of a defined area, usually along local authority boundary lines. The development of such plans at a local level is guided by the publication of a biodiversity action plan at national i.e. UK level and executed locally by 'biodiversity partnerships' which include key stakeholders from different sectors.

LBAPs in the constituent parts of the UK

Progress on local plans is overseen by different agencies in each of the four administrations.

England

As at January 2012, there were many dozens of LBAPs in

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

overseen by the statutory agency

Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, ...

Northern Ireland

The

Northern Ireland Environment Agency The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is an executive agency within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). It is responsible for conservation of Northern Ireland's environment and natural heritage. Ori ...

oversees the production of LBAPs in the province.

Scotland

As at January 2012 there were 25 LBAPs in place covering each of Scotland's local authority areas and both the

Cairngorms The Cairngorms () are a mountain range in the eastern Scottish Highlands, Highlands of Scotland closely associated with the mountain Cairn Gorm. The Cairngorms became part of Scotland's second national parks of Scotland, national park (the Cairn ...

and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs national parks.

Wales

By January 2012 there were LBAPs published or in draft form for each of 24 areas identified across Wales including the three national parks. The Wales Biodiversity Partnership brings together most of the main players across Wales to assist in the process of assembling and delivering LBAPs.

References

{{reflist Biodiversity Action plans Conservation in the United Kingdom