Stocktaking Cornwall's wildlife
As in any business, stocktaking is essential - we must know what wildlife we have before we can be sure of what is being lost. Such is the importance of finding out the wildlife that lives in Cornwall; but the simplicity of the question belies the complexity of the task. Unlike biscuits on a supermarket shelf, our wildlife is averse to being identified and the most elusive species, like otters, are often best known from tracks or other signs.
Since the publication in June 1997 of Cornwall's Biodiversity Volume 1: Audit and Priorities, great progress has been made in stocktaking our wildlife. Over 150 people from 54 organisations working in 14 Focus Groups have recently produced Volume 2, which summarises the Action Plans (see last number of Wild Cornwall). We now know what the key biological resources are and the targets have been set more clearly than ever before as to what should be done about conserving them.
We should thank all those who have contributed; it is a major achievement. But it actually marks a beginning, as it is the development of the detailed plans and putting them into action that will ensure that our children will be able to show their children the wealth of wildlife and habitat that is Cornwall.
Tony Stebbing
