News & Events Latest news Connecting Habitats and Protecting Sites - What the Latest Biodiversity Indicators Mean for Reptiles and Amphibians By Jenny Griffiths December 9, 2025 The UK Government has released updated Biodiversity Indicators, offering insights into how well our landscapes support wildlife and how protected areas are performing. Two indicators—Habitat Connectivity and Extent and Condition of Protected Areas—are particularly important for building resilient ecosystems. Habitat Connectivity Connectivity is about how easily species can move between habitat patches. The indicator uses long-term data to assess this for certain species groups, showing how fragmented or connected our landscapes are. Well-connected habitats allow wildlife to disperse, find resources, and maintain healthy populations. For species that rely on networks of ponds, wetlands, and terrestrial corridors, connectivity is essential. Creating and maintaining these links—through hedgerows, field margins, and habitat mosaics—helps ensure populations remain robust and adaptable to change. Aerial view of an ecological corridor that allows species to migrate between conservancy areas – vital for safeguarding biodiversity. Protected Areas: Extent and Condition Protected areas have expanded significantly since the mid-20th century, with marine coverage continuing to grow. On land, the extent of protected sites has stabilised, but size alone isn’t enough—condition matters. Recent assessments show that only around a quarter of protected site features have up-to-date condition data. This highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and management to ensure habitats deliver the ecological benefits they were designated for. Healthy wetlands, grasslands, and heathlands are vital for supporting a wide range of species. What This Means for Conservation The latest biodiversity indicators underline the importance of creating landscapes that work for wildlife. Connectivity and habitat quality are not abstract concepts—they are the foundation of resilient ecosystems. For conservation, this means focusing on restoring networks of ponds, wetlands, and heathland corridors so species can move freely and maintain healthy genetic diversity. It also means improving the condition of habitats within protected areas, ensuring they provide the resources wildlife needs rather than simply existing as designated land. By using indicator data, we can identify where connectivity is weakest and where management needs to be strengthened. This is also an opportunity to advocate for more inclusive monitoring frameworks that reflect the needs of species like reptiles and amphibians. Aligning our projects with these national priorities strengthens our case for funding, partnerships, and policy support, ultimately helping us deliver meaningful change for biodiversity. These sand lizards are more than wildlife—they are messengers of the land’s wellbeing. How You Can Help How You Can Help Everyone has a role to play in building a connected, resilient environment. Supporting habitat projects, whether through volunteering, donations, or simply spreading the word, helps create the links that wildlife depends on. Joining monitoring efforts is another powerful way to contribute—surveying ponds, wetlands, and terrestrial habitats provides vital data on condition and species presence. Even small actions at home make a difference: adding a pond, planting native species, or creating log piles can turn gardens into stepping stones for wildlife. Recording sightings of reptiles and amphibians via Garden Dragon Watch or the Record Pool helps us understand where species are thriving and where they need help. And finally, advocating locally—encouraging councils and landowners to maintain green corridors and protect small habitats—ensures that connectivity is considered in planning decisions. Every action, big or small, adds up to a landscape where nature can flourish. For more information and to view the full report please click here. Manage Cookie Preferences