What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is wildlife - the variety of life and its processes; including animals, plants, humans and all living things, the differences among them, the communities and ecosystems in which they occur, and the ecological and evolutionary processes that keep them functioning, yet ever changing and adapting.

Why is wildlife important?
Understanding biodiversity is in our self-interest as it affects us all. Biological diversity provides us with life-sustaining systems such as clean air, productive oceans, fresh water and fertile soil, without which we would not be able to support ourselves. Find out more >>

Why is the wildlife of the Isle of Wight special?
The Isle of Wight is a microcosm of south-east England and has, size for size, its fair share of the habitats characteristic of the region. In fact, it is unusually rich in species and habitats compared to similar areas on the mainland. The chalk grasslands, the maritime cliffs and slopes, and the estuaries are important on a national and international scale.

The mere fact that it is an island located off the south coast has consequences for the wildlife as well as for the human population. There are fewer introduced species such as grey squirrels, deer or mink; and there are stable populations of native animals which have become rare on the mainland, such as red squirrels, dormice, bats and water voles. The mild climate and maritime situation provide a foothold for species such as the Glanville fritillary butterfly, on the northern edge of their European range. Find out more >>

What's new?

'Isle of Wight Biodiversity: celebrating 10 years of local action'...
The Isle of Wight Biodiversity partnership has just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special event held at Brading Roman Villa, supported by a new publication called 'Isle of Wight Biodiversity: celebrating 10 years of local action'. In this publication you can find out more about the successes achieved during this time, the work of the partners and local groups, projects benefiting local biodiversity and ways which you can get involved. Visit the Partners section of this website to view the publication.

Give a bug a home...
Whether your garden is big or small there's always room for a bug home. Vist our Do your bit section to find out how to make your own bug box and give some bugs a snug home this winter.

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