Biodiversity in Wales

Wales is in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. According to the 2023 State of Nature Report, one in six species are at risk of extinction, meaning Wales is one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.

18% of Welsh species are threatened with extinction

42% of Wales’ plant species are found in fewer places than before

43% of moth populations have declined

The flora of Wales is greatly changing.

Since 1970, the distributions of 42% of flowering plant species and 44% of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) have decreased across Wales, compared to 40% and 46% of flowering plant and bryophyte species respectively that have increased in distribution. Flowering plants associated with upland habitats have on average declined, whereas many epiphytic bryophytes are recovering from the effects of previous industrial pollution.