TRANSLOCATIONS OF NATIVE SPECIES IN THE UK - IMPLICATIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY

1. Native species are translocated for conservation, commercial, ameni ty and research purposes. These activities are related, and need to be considered and planned in terms of their effects on biodiversity. 2. Procedures for assessing, implementing and regulating translocations h ave, however, been subject to largely uncoordinated development; recom mendations or guidelines being produced separately for each area of ex pertise. There is a need to pull together the profuse information conc erning specific translocations in order to present a broad approach to the general problems and concerns. 3. Here, the extent and nature of translocations of native species within the UK are reviewed, and recom mendations for policy and legislation are made in the context of those currently in use in the UK. The recommendations include the following : (i) improvement of the ways in which relevant information is dissemi nated; (ii) ease of implementation should be a prime consideration; an d (iii) formation of new policy and guidelines should include all UK a nd international organizations involved in carrying out, advising on, or licensing translocations.