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Preface Contributors and Acknowledgements Introduction The principal aims of the Audit are to establish a greater understanding of the biodiversity of the county by listing species for both fauna and flora. Comparisons can then be made with the UK National Biodiversity and other counties. Coverage The Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001 covers the whole of Staffordshire outside the Peak Park. The Peak Park is considered to be a separate ecological unit and is therefore the subject of a separate audit. What Is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life, including the whole range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, plants, fungi and micro-organisms. It includes common as well as rare species, and the habitats that support them. Conservation Status Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Grade 1 Sites of Biological Importance (SBIs). Focal Species The Focal Species, 49 in total, have been chosen bacause they are species of concern for the County. Many of these are already SBAP Species (34 of the 49 focals) and are profiled in the SBAP. Others are listed because they are in decline, under threat or have such a small population that they are endangered for the county. Species Audit An audit was originally started in 1995, species being chosen with the help of county specialists. The present Audit has progressed a further stage with some groups by listing all known species within the county. Abbreviations Abbreviations used in the Audit Species Focal Species are those which are examined in greater detail. Where possible a distribution map is included for each species. These have been produced from the computerised database of Staffordshire Ecological Record using DMap © A.Morton. The coverage for SBAP priority species is fairly comprehensive, but some of the other focal species are seriously under-recorded and many records remain to be entered from the paper filing system based at the Potteries Museum. Habitats The sixteen habitats listed are considered to be those most at risk within the county except for arable field margins, which have been included due to their value for wildlife in an otherwise species poor environment. Checklists The species lists will gradually be replaced or supplemented by links to updated or new lists produced by Staffordshire Ecological Record.