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<p>The Government’s indicators of the abundance of UK butterflies show that since
1976, populations of habitat specialists have declined significantly, though species
of the wider countryside show no significant change. Since 2014, both trends show
no significant change. We are keeping these trends under review as encouraging but
not yet definitive signs of progress.</p><p> </p><p>Butterflies are important pollinators.
We are taking action alongside many partners to implement the National Pollinator
Strategy’s provisions as recovering the numbers of declining pollinator species is
a priority for this government. In England, we have set a legally binding target to
halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 and action towards this target includes
specific action which will help butterflies. We are restoring and creating habitat
for wild and managed pollinators to thrive; addressing pressures including by supporting
Integrated Pest Management (IPM); raising awareness across society so that people
can take action themselves; and supporting monitoring and research.</p><p> </p><p>To
strengthen our pollinator evidence base we work closely with leading academics and
have introduced a national pollinator monitoring scheme across the whole of the UK,
with trend estimates published annually as official statistics. Trends in the abundance
of butterflies are also reported in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/england-biodiversity-indicators"
target="_blank">England</a> and <a href="https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/ukbi-c6-insects-of-the-wider-countryside/"
target="_blank">UK</a> biodiversity indicators, based on data collated through the
UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS).</p>
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