91热爆

In the depths of the Devon heathland lies an isolated colony of rare little creatures that face an uncertain future.听

The narrow-headed ant is a vital yet underrated member of the ecosystem, responsible for pest control and aeration of the soil, as well as providing a source of food for animals further up the food chain.听

However, the ant is now restricted to a handful of sites nationwide due to the increasing fragmentation of open heathland habitat.听

Ellie Harrison is on site to assist in the latest research and discovers what plans are in place to secure the future of the narrow-headed ant.

Adam鈥檚 in Northern Ireland to see what鈥檚 been done to halt the decline in numbers of farmland birds.

Here the RSPB is recruiting local farmers to take part in the County Down Rescue Project.

The project encourages farming practices that help to support bird populations, from cutting hedges in different ways to changing the way crops are rotated.

It's hoped this is a scheme that can be replicated across the UK.

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The Government has finally released its long-awaited Agriculture Bill - which outlines plans for how it will pay subsidies to farmers once we leave the EU.Key to its vision of future farming is paying public money to those who deliver so-called public goods, such as benefits to the environment and its wildlife.Tom meets Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove to find out whether he's gambling with the future of UK agriculture by putting green schemes ahead of food production.And he hears from those farmers who have concerns this new scheme may not pay off...听

One of the UK鈥檚 rarest reptiles, the sand lizard was once widespread across lowland heath habitats and sand dunes but changing land use has seen this creature pushed out.听

Much of the lowland heathland present in the early 20th century has been built on or planted on as part of development or commercial forestry practices.听

But an army of volunteers have been out in force across managed and protected heathland, building sandy patches to create a new home for these threatened creatures.

The UK鈥檚 rugged and dramatic coastline is home to huge numbers of seabirds - both resident and those that are passing through.听听

With tricky weather conditions and with birds making both the sea and the cliffs their home, keeping track of their numbers is no mean feat.听

Since 2015, the 鈥淏reeding Seabird Census鈥� has taken place to estimate the latest population figures and conservation status of our birds.听

Steve travels to the tip of Cornwall to meet some of the keen volunteers and ornithologists involved to find out about the current status of our seabirds.

And he finds out more about the 90-year history of the local seabird hospital.

The marine environment is home to a whole host of wildlife and is subject to a range of pressures.听

But ongoing conservation efforts are doing their part to protect that wildlife - and the lobster is one of the lucky recipients.听

Our appetite for this crustacean has, in part, led to the latest research aimed at bolstering lobster numbers in the sea.听

Matt visits the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow where a dedicated team of scientists are paving the way for improved lobster survival in the UK seas.

And Matt's drafted in to play his part in the latest release of juvenile lobsters.

In recent years, our native water voles have been one of the many casualties of our changing countryside management practices.听

The water vole has been so affected that it has earned the title of 鈥淏ritain鈥檚 fastest declining mammal鈥� - but efforts are underway to buck that trend.听

Teams of conservationists and ecologists are working together at sites across the country to rear and re-introduce water voles into better managed wetland systems.听

Ellie is in Somerset to meet some furry friends - before releasing them into their new home.