The targets and proposals in this report on biodiversity are put forward to the government as the basis for a co-ordinated and effective programme up to the year 2010. Chapters within the report describe the background to biodiversity; the development of national targets for key species and habitats and the need for good guidance with the production of local targets and action plans; an approach for improving biological recording; the public's perception of biodiversity and how raising public awareness can best be achieved; and finally brings the proposals for action together into a forward programme which refines, prioritizes and spells out in more detail the broard targets contained in Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan (published by HMSO in 1994, ISBN 0-10-124282-4). Volume 2 of this report is available separately and contains lists of key species, key habitats and broad habitats (published by HMSO, ISBN0-11-753228-2).