The issue of biodiversity is associated with the need to protect exotic and rare species in distant locations, such as the Amazonian rainforest in South America. But biodiversity can be measured in terms of diversity of habitats as well as species. It is important to maintain a diversity of different habitats across the globe and, given geographical influences, this means habitats in all continents and countries.

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Biodiversity helps prevent extinction of species and preserve the balance of nature.

Biodiversity can also be measured at different scales. It is as important to maintain the diversity of habitats and species locally and nationally as it is to do so at the global scale. This means that every local area is potentially significant in terms of biodiversity protection. This is as true of areas in the North as in the South, and as true of urban as of rural areas.

In policy terms, this is best given expression in terms of a linked hierarchy of policies operating at different scales. For example, the European Union has developed a biodiversity strategy based around a European network of significant sites, including the so-called 'Natura 2000' sites. Within this framework, individual countries develop their own biodiversity strategies. The UK strategy identifies priority habitats and species across the country and develops action plans for their protection. Within the UK's national framework, local authorities and other key agencies are developing Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs).

This hierarchy of strategies is matched by a hierarchy of protected areas. There are European designations, such as the Special Areas of Conservation to protect sites for migrating birds. There are national nature reserves, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and related national designations. There are also local nature reserves.

Yvonne Rydin at the Camley Street nature reserve. (4:10 min)

One such local nature reserve is the Camley Street Park near King's Cross railway station in the middle of London. This is a little oasis in the middle of an inner city mix of land uses: residential, transport infrastructure, light industry and derelict. It abuts the Grand Union Canal and exists just next to the site of the new central London terminus for the Channel Tunnel rail link. All around is land awaiting urban regeneration, including these historically important Victorian gas-holders.

• First, it provides habitats for flora and fauna. None of these are nationally or globally rare, but they contribute to local biodiversity.
• Second, the park provides leisure opportunities for local people. It may be small, but it provides a unique leisure experience of contact with nature that larger and more uniform spaces (such as nearby Regent's Park) cannot.
• Third, it contributes to education and awareness about biodiversity, particularly for local schoolchildren, who regularly come pond-dipping here.
• Fourth, it provides some local employment.

The multiple functions of such local biodiversity projects need to be recognised alongside their primary function of nature conservation.

Camley Street raises another important point. This oasis was created out of derelict land.

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Camley Street Natural Park.

It emphasises that biodiversity policy cannot just be about protecting what is already there, about trying to hold back a threatening tide of change. Of course, in many areas, development (both urban and agrarian) is the key threat to biodiversity; but in some areas, often labelled `derelict', past and abandoned developments can be colonised by new species and become ecologically rich locations. These may, as here, include old industrial and transport infrastructure locations.

In other areas, change and development itself can become a stimulus for creating ecologically rich locations. Biodiversity can be enhanced by managing a local environment to provide the widest range of possible habitats. In the United Kingdom, local authorities can use 'planning gain' to benefit biodiversity. This means that they negotiate with developers to provide resources within a development site for nature conservation.

In west London, an old reservoir has been developed with new housing but, at the same time, part of the site has been created as an important habitat for water-birds, including many internationally significant migratory species. The bird-watching opportunities at the Barnes Wetland Centre attract many human visitors, as well as adding to the biodiversity of the city.

	Thinking Point
	What are the benefits of local environmental initiatives such as the Camley Street Nature Reserve?

So biodiversity policy is not just about protecting certain areas, important though that is. It is also about creating and enhancing biodiversity wherever opportunities arise. This is a continuing task. For both protected and newly generated areas of ecological significance require ongoing management. Nature never stands still, and neither can the protection of nature.

Preventing the degradation of sites and ensuring that biodiversity is maintained and enhanced requires continuous attention. This means bringing together a partnership of key local actors to oversee sites and provide that attention. Local government, governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can all play their part. Local communities are also often involved in managing their local spaces and, thereby, making a significant contribution to biodiversity. Camley Street provides an ideal example of how this can succeed.