Introduction

Limestone pavement
Image by Roger Henson

In recent times there has been an unprecedented loss of wildlife and natural areas on a global scale as a result of human activities and the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been no exception.

In 1992, the world’s governments met at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to discuss how to begin the process of reversing this decline in the Earth’s natural environment.

The Earth Summit led to the introduction of a new word to the English language – biodiversity – the variety of life on Earth.

Many habitats and species have been identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as priorities for conservation at a national and international level. Many more have also been identified as priorities at a local level in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan called Nature in the Dales: 2020 Vision (2010-2020).

The plans set out how all those who live, work, play and study in the National Park can act locally to make a vital contribution to the conservation of the Earth’s biodiversity.

These Nature in the Dales webpages have been developed by the Wildlife Conservation Team at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority on behalf of the Yorkshire Dales Biodiversity Forum.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the most important areas of the United Kingdom for its rich and diverse wildlife heritage. This ranges from the wildflower rich hay meadows and pastures in the dale bottoms, through to the moorland fringe with its rush pastures so important for wading birds and the windswept uplands with their open heather moorland and blanket bog, to the unique limestone pavements.

Follow the link for more information on Habitats in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is home to a wide range of species. Many of these are rare or scarce nationally and the Yorkshire Dales National Park is the last stronghold for many plant and animal species.

Many species are adapted to certain conditions and these leads to a wide diversity of plants and animals in the Yorkshire Dales ranging from the lime-loving plants and invertebrates of the Limestone Country to the breeding birds of the moorland and moorland fringe.

Follow the link for more information about Species in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The habitats and species found in the countryside are often closely linked with the underlying geology of the area. More information about the geology of the dales is available through the Your Dales Rocks Project.

• Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Education file 5 - Wildlife, conserving biodiversity (PDF format)