There have been many changes in the countryside and the wildlife it supports throughout history. As a consequence of human activities, grassland on the Isle of Wight has declined in area by two-thirds since 1850, and even greater losses have occurred to heathland habitats.

In more recent times, there have been increasing pressures relating to built development, whether for housing, roads or industry. Agricultural practice has changed dramatically over the last 50 years and has resulted in change to our countryside. An estimated 72 species are considered to have become extinct locally within the last fifty years and very many more are in decline. These losses are largely due to habitat change or loss.

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 other similar areas on the mainland. The chalk downlands, the maritime cliffs and slopes, and the estuaries are particularly important, not only in a regional context but also on a national and international scale. The mere fact that we are an island located off the south coast has consequences for the wildlife as well as for the human population.

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