Nature and biodiversity protection

Biodiversity and Wildlife incorporates wildlife conservation, wildlife licensing and wildlife crime, and also biodiversity topics including biodiversity litigation, international biodiversity law, UK biodiversity law and policy, and the evolution and background of biodiversity and its key concepts. It includes both species protection and habitats protection, and often has to be taken into account in the context of development. It involves national and European law and international conventions and treaties. For information on the impact of Brexit on the application of environmental law see Practice Note: Brexit—impact on environmental law—EU law after Brexit.

Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting endangered plant and animal species, together with their habitats.

Wildlife issues for developers

A developer who has bought, or who is thinking of buying, land for development must consider whether the land is a protected site or is populated by a protected species.

For more information, see:

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Practice Note: Habitats and wildlife issues for developers
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Environmental issues in transactions—overview

Protected species

Europe is home to more than 500 wild bird species. However, many of these species need improved conservation measures to continue

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