Half of Britain's native plants in decline: major study

Introduced species now make up the majority of plants growing in the wild in Britain, with more than half of natives estimated to be in decline, according to results of a 20-year study. Photo: AFP

Introduced species now make up the majority of plants growing in the wild in Britain, with more than half of natives estimated to be in decline, according to results of a 20-year study released March 8.

Change in land use, particularly "the intensification of arable cultivation", has been the main driver of change, according to the Plant Atlas 2020 study undertaken by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI).