The UK Biodiversity Steering Group devised a set of criteria to classify all UK habitats under threat and in need of action. National actions plans were then written identifying the threats and the work needed to safeguard their future. These were divided into:

• Broad Habitat types - associated summary descriptions of 28 natural, semi-natural and urban habitats and the current issues affecting the habitat and broad policies to address them


• UK BAP Priority Habitat Action Plans - detailed descriptions for 45 habitats falling within the broad habitat classification and detailed actions and targets for conserving these habitats. A document containing UK BAP Priority Habitat Descriptions is available in the Useful Files.


• Of these 28 broad habitats and 45 priority habitats identified in the UK, 11 broad habitats and 14 priority habitats are found in Berkshire.

The BNCF further simplified this by categorising the habitats into 5 main headings (Grassland, Heathland, Urban, Wetland, Woodland) and established action plans to deal with the main threats to these habitats in the county. Since the UK BAP review in 2007, additional habitats have become UK BAP habitats. Two of these that occur in Berkshire are Traditional Orchards and Hedgerows. For more information on these habitats, please follow the links at the top of this page.

The BNCF is now looking at Biodiversity Opportunity Areas as a means of delivering the Berkshire Biodiversity Action Plan; this change of approach will be reflected in the revised Berkshire BAP due to be published in 2010.