A study of UK biodiversity

change of over 12,000 species

Charlie Outhwaite, Gary Powney, Tom August, Richard
Chandler, Richard Gregory, Ben Collen and Nick Isaac
Contact details: charlotte.outhwaite.14@ucl.ac.uk @charlielouo www.charlieouthwaite.weebly.com

Biological records data were collected and occupancy models ran

Data Outputs
for 12,321 species from 34 taxonomic groups in

occurrence
Annual
order to determine the status of a wide suite of UK species. This

amounted to a total of 34,640,577 records. Year

The size of the

This work has been made
word corresponds possible by the development
to the number of Occupancy model of a new Bayesian
species in the
dataset for each State model occupancy modelling
group
Observation model framework using
random walk priors.

Q1: Are all groups declining? Q2: How have species responded?
Rare species Common species
A total of 6,621
Occupancy is
species met A.
expressed as the
inclusion criteria proportion of UK B.
based on data sites occupied.
availability.
Change in occupancy

INSECTS, 3,175 species BOTANICAL, 2,543 species

Ladybirds, 37 species Dragonflies, 41 species Bryophytes, 569 species Plants, 1,274 species

C.

D.

OTHER INVERTEBRATES, 588 species FRESHWATER, 274 species

Centipedes, 22 species Molluscs, 136 species Caddisflies, 123 species Aquatic bugs, 51 species
Initial occupancy

A. Harlequin ladybird

B. Ivy bee

C. Double dart moth

D. 11-spot ladybird
A1: There is variation between groups. It is not A2: On average little change but with examples
all bad news, some are recovering! of extreme responses.
References:
C.L. Outhwaite, R. E. Chandler, G.D. Powney, B. Collen, R.D. Gregory and N.J.B. Isaac. Prior specification in Bayesian occupancy modelling improves analysis of species occurrence data (in review at Ecological Indicators).
Photo credits: Grasshopper: Bruce Ruston, Longhorn beetle: Dluogs, Dragonfly: Tony Hisgett, Hoverfly: Martin Cooper. 11-spot: Mike Majerus. Ivy bee: Penny Frith. Double dart moth: Matthew Deans. Harlequin: David Nicholls. All photos modified.
Acknowledgements: Aquatic Heteroptera Recording Scheme, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, British Arachnological Society, Spider Recording Scheme, British Bryological Society, British Isles Neuropterida Recording Scheme, British Lichen Society, British Myriapod and Isopod Group,
Centipede Recording Scheme, British Myriapod and Isopod Group, Millipede Recording Scheme, Bruchidae & Chrysomelidae Recording Scheme, Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Cranefly Recording Scheme, Database & Atlas of Freshwater Fishes, Dragonfly Recording Network, Empididae &
Dolichopodidae Recording Scheme, Fungus Gnat Recording Scheme, Gelechiid Recording Scheme, Ground Beetle Recording Scheme, Hoverfly Recording Scheme, Hypogean Crustacea Recording Scheme, Ladybird Recording Scheme, Orthoptera Recording Scheme, Riverfly Recording Schemes: Ephemeroptera,
Riverfly Recording Schemes: Plecoptera, Riverfly Recording Schemes: Trichoptera, Soldier Beetles, Jewel Beetles and Glow-worms Recording Scheme, Soldierflies and allies recording scheme, Staphylinidae Recording Scheme, Terrestrial Heteroptera Recording Scheme - Plant bugs and allied species, Terrestrial
Heteroptera Recording Scheme - Shield bugs and allied species, Weevil and Bark Beetle Recording Scheme + Scolytidae