IT’S not too late to save UK nature but we must act now to put nature back where it belongs - that is the conclusion from a coalition of more than 50 leading wildlife and research organisations behind the State of Nature 2016 report , including the Wildlife trusts, which was launched by Sir David Attenborough at the Royal Society in London on Wednesday.

Following on from the ground breaking State of Nature report in 2013, leading professionals from 53 wildlife organisations have pooled expertise and knowledge to present the clearest picture to date of the status of our native species across land and sea. The report reveals that over half (56 per cent) of UK species studied have declined since 1970, while more than one in ten (1,199 species) of the nearly 8,000 species assessed in the UK are under threat of disappearing from our shores altogether.

Simon Nash, CEO of Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “The results of the report are of great concern. In Somerset, we have achieved some amazing results for wildlife – the Large Blue and Bittern programmes being shining examples of what collaborative working can achieve.

"But we cannot stop here. The priority message for our county is an important one - we have to work even harder to maintain these successes in the face of a changing economic climate, and in the shadow of the EU Referendum result, to secure long-term investment for the health and protection for our species and restoration of Somerset’s natural capital for future generations.

“There are vulnerable species in Somerset that are struggling to overcome the impacts of climate change and fragile habitats that desperately need dedicated year-round support, so we look to the people of Somerset to put nature back in their lives, rediscover its value within our communities and do what they can to help us reverse the decline of Somerset’s wildlife for the benefit of our next generations.”

Sir David Attenborough said: “The natural world is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before. The rallying call issued after the State of Nature report in 2013 has promoted exciting and innovative conservation projects. Landscapes are being restored, special places defended, struggling species being saved and brought back. But we need to build significantly on this progress if we are to provide a bright future for nature and for people.

“The future of nature is under threat and we must work together; Governments, conservationists, businesses and individuals, to help it. Millions of people in the UK care very passionately about nature and the environment and I believe that we can work together to turn around the fortunes of wildlife.

“In order to reduce the impact we are having on our wildlife, and to help struggling species, we needed to understand what’s causing these declines. Using evidence from the last 50 years, experts have identified that significant and ongoing changes in agricultural practices are having the single biggest impact on nature.”