The Silent Vanishing

The Silent Vanishing: Extinctions in the UK and Our Role

 

Extinction is a natural process, but the rate at which species are disappearing in the UK today is anything but natural. We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, driven overwhelmingly by human activity, and the silent vanishing of our native wildlife has profound implications for the health of our ecosystems and our own well-being.

 

Where Has It Gone?

 

While iconic megafauna like the brown bear and wolf vanished centuries ago due to hunting, the more recent story of UK extinctions paints a picture of relentless pressure on smaller, often less charismatic, species. Since 1970, the UK has seen an average decline of 19% across its studied species, with nearly one in six (16.1%) now threatened with extinction. This means hundreds, if not thousands, of species have been lost from specific areas, or in some cases, completely from the UK.

Some notable extinctions or near-extinctions in the UK include:

• Mammals: While the wolf and brown bear were lost centuries ago, more recently, the Greater Mouse-Eared Bat is functionally extinct in the UK, with no known breeding colonies. The Black Rat, though not a native, has been with us for a long time but is now functionally extinct in the wild due to competition from the brown rat and eradication schemes.
• Birds: The Great Auk, a flightless bird similar to a penguin, was hunted to extinction in the mid-19th century. The Capercaillie, once widespread, is now facing severe declines and is largely restricted to parts of Scotland, teetering on the edge of UK extinction. The Corncrake was driven to extinction in Northern Ireland, though efforts have seen it return in some areas.
• Insects: Several butterfly and moth species have been lost. The Large Copper butterfly (British race) became extinct with the draining of the Fens in the mid-19th century. More recently, several moths like the Bordered Gothic moth seem to have quietly died out in the UK. A number of Oil-beetle species were thought lost, though remarkably, some have been rediscovered. Many other invertebrate species have seen drastic declines in distribution, suggesting local extinctions are widespread.
• Aquatic Species: The Ivell’s Sea Anemone, a unique species, was discovered in a saline lagoon on the south coast and disappeared just ten years later, likely due to pollution. The European Eel and Sturgeon are critically endangered, with some populations having effectively disappeared from UK waters.
• Plants: Over half of our flowering plants and mosses have decreased in where they are found since 1970. The Ghost Orchid, a rare and elusive plant, was last reliably reported in 2009 and may be functionally extinct.

The primary drivers of these extinctions are:

• Habitat Loss and Degradation: This is by far the biggest culprit. Conversion of land for intensive agriculture, urban sprawl, and infrastructure development has destroyed or severely fragmented natural habitats, leaving species without the space, food, or shelter they need to survive.
• Pollution: Chemical pollution from agriculture (pesticides, fertilisers), industrial emissions, and sewage contaminate land and water, directly killing species or making their environments unlivable.
• Climate Change: Shifting weather patterns, extreme events, and rising temperatures are altering ecosystems faster than many species can adapt, disrupting breeding cycles, food availability, and migration patterns.
• Invasive Non-Native Species: Introduced species, often inadvertently, can outcompete native species for resources, predate on them, or introduce diseases, pushing already vulnerable populations over the edge.
• Overexploitation: While less prevalent now for larger species, historical overhunting (e.g., Great Auk) and unsustainable fishing practices have led to extinctions or severe declines.

 

What’s In Its Place?

 

In the wake of these extinctions, we see:

• Simplified Ecosystems: With the loss of key species, the intricate web of life unravels. Pollinators disappear, leading to reduced plant reproduction. Predators vanish, allowing prey populations to boom unsustainably or leading to the spread of disease.
• Dominance of Generalist Species: Those species that can tolerate human disturbance, a narrower range of habitats, and readily available artificial food sources tend to proliferate. This can give a false impression of “wildlife” abundance while specialist species vanish.
• Ecological Vacuums: When a species goes extinct, its ecological niche is left empty. While sometimes another species might fill it, often these roles (e.g., specific pollinators, seed dispersers, or ecosystem engineers like beavers) are simply lost, leading to further degradation of the ecosystem.
• A Less Resilient Future: Each extinction weakens the overall resilience of our ecosystems to cope with future challenges, like climate change or new diseases.

 

Can We Ever Get It Back?

 

For species that are globally extinct, bringing them back is currently beyond our reach in a truly authentic sense. “De-extinction” through genetic engineering is a burgeoning field, but it aims to create proxies of extinct species, not exact replicas. Even if successful, the ethical and ecological implications of reintroducing such animals into a drastically changed modern environment are immense and complex.

However, for species that are “extinct in the wild” in the UK but survive elsewhere, or for those that have been locally extirpated, yes, we absolutely can bring them back. The UK has a strong track record of successful reintroduction projects:

• Eurasian Beaver: Reintroduced after centuries of absence, these “ecosystem engineers” are transforming landscapes, creating wetlands, and boosting biodiversity.
• Red Kite: Once almost wiped out, successful reintroduction programs have seen this magnificent bird of prey return to skies across much of England and Scotland.
• White-tailed Eagle: Britain’s largest bird of prey has been successfully re-established in Scotland and recently in the Isle of Wight after being driven to extinction.
• Pool Frog and Natterjack Toad: Reintroductions are helping these amphibians reclaim former habitats.

These successes demonstrate that, with concerted effort, habitat restoration, and targeted reintroductions, we can reverse some of the damage.

 

What Would It Take!?

 

Bringing back more of our lost wildlife and preventing further extinctions requires a radical shift in how we value and interact with nature:

1. Massive-Scale Habitat Restoration: This is paramount. It means rewetting peatlands, expanding native woodlands, restoring flower-rich meadows, improving river health, and connecting fragmented habitats through wildlife corridors.
2. Radical Agricultural Reform: Shifting away from intensive, chemical-dependent farming to nature-friendly, regenerative agriculture that prioritises biodiversity, soil health, and water quality. This includes reducing pesticide and fertiliser use.
3. Stronger Environmental Protections and Enforcement: Robust legal frameworks to protect remaining wild spaces and species, coupled with effective enforcement against pollution and habitat destruction.
4. Addressing Climate Change: Rapid and ambitious action to cut carbon emissions is essential to mitigate the long-term drivers of extinction.
5. Invasive Species Management: Proactive strategies to prevent the introduction of new invasive species and control existing ones that threaten native wildlife.
6. Public Engagement and Education: Fostering a deeper connection between people and nature, promoting citizen science, and building public support for conservation efforts.
7. Significant Investment: Funding for conservation, rewilding projects, and research must dramatically increase from both public and private sectors.

 

Who Benefits from Our Lack of Wildlife?

 

While no one directly benefits from “extinction” itself, the underlying economic models and practices that cause extinction often lead to short-term financial gains for specific sectors:

• Intensive Agribusiness: Companies and large-scale farms that prioritise maximum yield and efficiency through monoculture, heavy use of pesticides, and habitat removal can see increased profits, even if it degrades the wider environment.
• Property Developers and Infrastructure Companies: The continuous expansion of urban areas and infrastructure (roads, railways) often involves destroying natural habitats, which benefits these industries in the short term.
• Unregulated Industries: Companies in sectors with significant pollution outputs (e.g., some manufacturing, water utilities) may benefit financially by avoiding the costs of proper waste treatment or sustainable practices.
• Global Supply Chains: Consumer demand for cheap goods and food, often sourced from areas undergoing rapid habitat destruction (e.g., for palm oil, soy, timber), indirectly fuels the pressures on biodiversity in the UK and globally.

Ultimately, the beneficiaries are those who operate within a system that externalises environmental costs, where the damage to nature is not fully accounted for in financial terms. This “profit over planet” mentality is what drives the extinction crisis. However, the true cost of biodiversity loss – to our economy, food security, climate resilience, and mental well-being – is far greater and ultimately impacts everyone. The long-term beneficiaries of a healthy, biodiverse UK are all of its inhabitants, human and wild alike.