Habitats, and the organisms adapted to life there, have been lost as a result of activities relating to intensive agricultural practices, such as drainage, removal of trees and hedges, and nutrient enrichment of soils
Habitat loss can lead to fragmentation so that populations of particular species become isolated. The consequence of this is a loss of genetic diversity and adaptability
Native woodland represents a particularly rich habitat for a large number of species and its loss has greatly reduced biodiversity
The use of pesticides (herbicides, fingicides and insecticides) on farmland has caused a number of environmental problems. These include mobility into other habitats (aquatic and soil) with adverse effects there, toxicity to non-target organisms, pest resurgence, secondary pest outbreaks and the evolution of pest resistance
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Human impact on biodiversity
Non-native, invasive species represent a major threat to native species
Strategies that have been developed to encourage biodiversity include the planting of native trees, hedge restoration and management, and a variety of sustainable agricultural practices
Sustainable agricultural practices include a more judicious use of fertilisers, the use of crop rotation and a reduction in pesticide use with a move towards narrow-spectrum pesticides. There is also support for areas of farmland to be either left undisturbed or managed to encourage biodiversity
Locally, nationally and internationally, species action plans have been established for the conservation and management of certain threatened species
A number of habitats are being conserved and managed through the designation of special areas of protection
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