British ecology is a funny old thing. The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, having stripped our lands of woodlands, wetlands and grasslands and replacing them with agriculturally intense monoculture and urban environments. The degradation of our natural habitats is nothing new, we've been at it for centuries, and as a result we are really feeling the pinch today (...maybe punch is a better way of describing it).  

Unfortunately, rather than being appalled (or embarrassed), many British peoples actually celebrate these landscapes and view it as the green and pleasant land it was once painted to be, quite literally thanks to artists like Constable. This is largely not through a fault of their own, but a lack of global awareness, but if they could just view the arable fields, overgrazed grasslands or even somewhere as "picturesque" as the Lake District through an ecologists eyes they'd be shocked to see that in fact we are living in an ecological desert. It may sound hyperbolic, but for a leading economic power, we sure have not grasped the value of our natural world. 

We are in the midst of a global biodiversity crisis. We are in the midst of a climate crisis. And whilst these tragedies are occurring, we are in the midst of unthinkable governmental action, aimed at stripping back environmental protection or "red tape" and ultimately harming the biodiversity we rely on to survive. 

We desperately need a rethink on biodiversity and we need to act much faster than we currently are. 

As a nation we are missing many of the big top European predators that fill our screens on the BBC on a Sunday evening. No wolves, no bears, no big cats, barely any large native herbivores and few birds of prey (although admittedly reintroduction of large birds of prey has changed in recent years but at a slow pace). And as such I think we overlook much of British ecology, writing it off as somewhat dull, unassuming or just not as important because those big ticket species are missing.

This is the narrative that must change. And why's that? Because it's just not true. We have 1000s of amazing animal, plant and fungal species out there, all with a purpose, all interesting in their own right and all so important for supporting life on this planet (including human life). 

Of the thousands of species of bryophytes, liverworts, lichens, ferns, flowering plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (and everything else I've missed) in Britain I'd challenge you to find one that has a dull and boring ecology (in terms of behaviour, reproduction style, diet, growth etc.). Not only are all species interesting in their own right, many play a critical role in the functioning of ecosystems, like the humble looking peat mosses (Sphagnum species) which are often the life and soul of many bogs and mires (essentially they are entire ecosystems).  

So how do we change? The key to change and the key to action has to be education. My blog above describes how I spent much of my childhood dreaming of the exotic and mysterious creatures of deep jungles, diverse deltas and volcanic islands. I grew my passions and understanding of the world, which is fantastic, but I overlooked the wonders and fascinations that were on my doorstep. Too few people have the knowledge of British ecology, too few have the understanding of its importance and even fewer understand it enough to make positive change to rectify the tragedies of the past, present and future. 

We need to reconnect with nature, immerse ourselves in the natural world, learn how we can help and learn how biodiversity and nature can help us in return. This is more than just an individual level change, we need to see world leaders, governments and organisations taking action backing moves that benefit biodiversity and investing in our future. 

This is a really interesting space and one which is finally getting some limelight. All I can do is hope that our government starts to make some good and well informed decisions to reverse our impacts and re-engage with nature.