Wales boasts an impressive diversity of species, many of them unique. As well as common species such as the buzzard, Wales is home to rarer species such as the marsh fritillary butterfly, the fen orchid and the great crested newt.
In Wales, the Section 42 list of habitats and species of principal importance in Wales is the definite list and its a key requirement of the NERC Biodiversity Duty. The list is the definitive reference for all statutory and non-statutory bodies involved in operations that affect biodiversity in Wales.
Section 42 Species of principle importance to Wales. S42 species on the Welsh list which do not appear on the UK list Section 42 Species online identification guide Draft species actions for selected S42 species Section 42 Habitats of principle importance to Wales Section 42 combined Species and Habitats list
To protect rarer species in the UK, a list has been drawn up at the UK level of species requiring special protection totalling 1150 species and 504 of these species occur in Wales. A futher 33 species together with two groupings of lichens go to produce a list of species of principle importance in Wales. This is referred to as the Section 42 list.
UK BAP Species list 2007
UK BAP Priority Habitats & Species
UK BAP Website