Scientists from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), working with colleagues from other UK research institutes and the RSPB, have said climate change and agriculture are driving a startling loss of biodiversity from the British countryside.

A study following up on the findings of the 2013 State of Nature report (which revealed that 60% of more than 3,000 species assessed in Britain have suffered declines over the past 50 years) looked at pressures behind the changes (both positive and negative) in Britain’s biodiversity. The paper was published in journal PLOS ONE last week. It looked at the changes in a sample of 400 plant and animal species and concluded that intensive agriculture and climate change have been the main drivers of change since 1970.

CEH scientists contributing to the paper said changes in agricultural practices and landscapes, including losses of hedgerows and ponds, shifts form spring- to autumn-sown crops and use of new chemistry have had impacts on different species, including mammals, birds and aquatic life, as well as many that are beneficial to farming, such as ladybirds and bees. The scientists found that whilst the impacts of climate change on the 400 species studied have so far been mixed, changes in agriculture have had a markedly negative impact.

Commenting on the findings of the new paper, RSPB conservation director Martin Harper said that, as 70 percent of the UK land area is farmed, Britain’s farmers are in a unique position to improve the situation for wildlife, insects and threatened plant species. However, he added that action by more farmers and serious policy support from government will both be needed to make any noticeable difference.

Harper also said that the UK has seen fewer species lost to climate change due to our position in the North-West of Europe. Many species are moving northwards as climate change makes the southern-most part of their range less hospitable, and the UK has already seen some species becoming more common as a result of this. However, upland species, including certain types of butterfly, have been seen to be moving further uphill over time. Overall, climate change is sure to have overwhelmingly negative effects for humans and wildlife.

The paper can be read here. A second version of the State of Nature report, bringing the findings up to date for 2016, is set for publication this September.

The researchers behind the PLOS ONE paper said they hope their findings can be used to influence policy and management decisions, or identity gaps in research ad current knowledge.