Biodiversity
Biodiversity means the variety of plants and animals and the
interdependency between them. Contact with nature enriches our daily
quality of life and for many people nature is a source of inspiration
and relaxation. Living things provide food and medicines, and the raw
materials for many goods that are taken for granted - for example,
clothing, paper products and furniture.
In recent decades the activities of people have destroyed wild plants
and animals at an alarming rate. Two of the major land uses that
influence biodiversity are agriculture and development. Other influences
on biodiversity include forestry, coastal management, leisure
activities, water management, energy, transport, air quality and climate
change.
Hampshire is one of the richest wildlife areas in England. Hampshire’s
varied habitats include ancient woods, wildflower meadows, heathlands,
chalk downland, river valleys, coastal habitats, and the New Forest -
the greatest area of ‘semi-wilderness’ left in lowland England.
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