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Zsuzsanna Bird
Information and advice
Local species of interest
UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) priority species found in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
This document (last updated 2015) contains information about UKBAP priority species recorded in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (according to CPERC records at the time).
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Additional Species of Interest (CPASI)
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are also home to important populations of some species not on the UK priority list, but still special and in need of conservation. Species have been selected for the CPASI list primarily on the basis of being relatively nationally rare species for which Cambridgeshire and Peterborough holds a significant proportion of the national population, and/or being relatively locally rare species strongly associated with semi-natural habitats of nature conservation interest. The CPASI species should be considered in conjunction with the UK priority species and therefore should also be considered as targets for conservation effort where appropriate.
The list has been produced by working with local specialists and recorders, and is based on their knowledge and suggestions. For vascular plants, the BSBI vice-county Rare Plant Registers have also been consulted. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough approximately contains two vice-counties (VC31 Huntingdonshire and VC29 ‘old’ Cambridgeshire) and part of a third (VC32 Northamptonshire). Links to the latest local plant registers which contain more species can be found on the BSBI website
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Biodiversity Group approves the final list, which was first approved in 2016 and last updated in 2021.
Please see the links below for the full list in pdf format with further information on each species and for a simple Excel list of species names with their taxonomic groups.
Relevant legislation
CPERC exists to provide an evidence base to our Partners and clients, as well as a data mobility and archival service to our Data Provider Partners and as such, remains impartial to the interpretation of our data holdings. Our work supports decision makers, planners and developers who are themselves guided by European and UK legislation that governs the protection of wildlife and associated sites. This page provides links to the relevant legislation protecting biodiversity.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA)
In essence, the WCA outlines which species are protected by law from killing, injuring or having their habitat damaged. It also covers species protected under European law. A few example species would be otters, great crested newts and all bats. A good summary is provided on www.naturenet.net.
Natural Environment & Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006
The NERC Act (2006) was established with the intention to help ensure that biodiversity becomes an integral consideration in the development of policies, and that decisions of public bodies work with nature and not against it.
The England Biodiversity List has been drawn up to meet the requirements of Section 41 of the Act. The S41 list consists of 943 species and 56 habitats of principal importance in England and will be used to guide decision-makers such as public bodies, including local and regional authorities, in implementing their duty under Section 40 of the NERC Act. The full list of habitats and species can be found on the Natural England website.
National Planning Policy Framework
2012 guidance on the application of planning policies in England including ‘Conserving and enhancing the natural environment’. It requires planning policies to minimise the impact on biodiversity by identifying and mapping designated sites and other areas of importance for biodiversity such as wildlife corridors and locally important areas; promoting and protecting priority habitats and species; monitoring biodiversity and preventing harm to geologically important sites.
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
Under these regulations authorities in England and Wales are required to designate and protect those habitats and species legislated by the EC Habitats Directive with a network of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Public bodies have a duty to adapt planning controls to protect these species and sites including a review of biological data. Visit theJNCCwebsite for a summary of the regulations.
UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework
In response to signing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992 the UK published the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). It included specific plans for 1,149 species and 65 habitats afforded priority conservation action.
In July 2012 UKBAP was superseded by the ‘UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework’ as a result of a change in strategy following the publication of the CBD's ‘Strategic Plan for
An advancement on earlier legislation by which it is illegal to kill, injure or take a badger, to damage or interfere with a sett without a licence from a statutory authority. For advice and legislation relating to badgers visit Natural England.
Who to ask
We do not carry out survey work for reserves or as part of planning applications. Nor do we provide interpretation of the records and information which we supply. We do not necessarily have the ecological or other knowledge to do this.
If you require these services, please contact the Wildlife Trust orNatural England