Disentangling the facts from the hype, this 'Domesday book' of the British and Irish countryside offers a definitive and up-to-date survey of the state of our wildlife today. Norman Maclean, editor of the bestselling Silent Summer, examines the latest findings of Britain and Ireland's top wildlife experts and interprets them for a wider audience. Each chapter provides reliable estimates of animal populations, showing which species are thriving and which are in decline. The book also considers the effects of climate change on our wildlife and how human population growth is influencing its development. Beautifully illustrated with colour plates and wood engravings throughout, this accessible and timely study reveals just how rapidly our countryside and its wildlife are changing, why we should be concerned, and what we can do about it.

Foreword Chris Packham Introduction 1. Living with change 2. A short dose of Earth history 3. Climate change 4. Down on the farm and into the woods 5. Plant and animal introductions (and recent arrivals) 6. Our overcrowded isles – human population and aspiration 7. The availability of fresh water 8. Hunting, shooting and fishing: the enigma of field sports and wildlife 9. Wildlife conservation at home and overseas So how is our wildlife faring? The details: 10. Mammals 11. Birds 12. Reptiles and amphibians 13. Freshwater fish 14. Butterflies and moths 15. Other insects – dragonflies, beetles, bees etc. 16. Other invertebrates – spiders, snails, crayfish etc. 17. Trees, shrubs and flowering plants 18. Fungi 19. Life in the open sea 20. Where sea meets land 21. Top wildlife sites 22. What does the future hold? Further reading Abbreviations Glossary Latin names of species Index.