Biodiversity in Wandsworth

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth. This includes plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. It also includes genetic diversity and the communities they form.

About biodiversity

Biodiversity supports the natural systems we all depend on. These include clean air, food, water, timber, medicines, and flood protection. 

Spending time in nature also benefits physical and mental health. Ecological and green infrastructure networks also support climate adaptation.

We are committed to protecting and improving nature across our parks, rivers, streets and developments. We also support communities to connect with wildlife where they live.

Our species

Data from Greenspace Information for Greater London shows that more than 4,250 species have been recorded in Wandsworth. This reflects the borough's high level of biodiversity despite its urban character.

Around 12% of these are designated species. This means they are legally protected, nationally rare or of particular conservation concern in London.

We have identified priority and target species to help guide conservation, monitoring and habitat management. This helps us focus on species most at risk and track progress over time.

Our priority species include:

• Bats (all species)
• Black redstart
• Brown trout
• Hedgehog
• House sparrow
• Peregrine falcon
• Pollinators, including wild bees, hoverflies, soldier flies and wasps
• Stag beetle
• Starling
• Swift
• Tawny owl

Our habitats

Habitats are the natural environments where plants, animals and other wildlife live.

In Wandsworth, a wide range of conditions, from the tidal Thames to pockets of acid grassland, create a diverse network of habitats that support thousands of species.

Alongside parks, rivers and wetlands, the built environment also plays an important role. Street trees, gardens, railway corridors, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and pocket parks all help wildlife move through the borough.

Our priority habitats include:

• Heathland and acid grassland
• Lakes, ponds and reedbeds
• Neutral (wildflower) grassland
• Rivers, including the tidal Thames, Wandle, and Beverley Brook
• Woodland and scrub, including veteran trees and dead wood

Local Wildlife Sites

Local Wildlife Sites, also known as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), are the most important places for biodiversity at the local level.

Across London, more than 1,600 SINCs form a network of important habitats.

In Wandsworth, there are 31 Local Wildlife Sites. These include commons and river corridors, as well as cemeteries, churchyards, and smaller areas of habitat. Together, they provide important refuges for wildlife and help connect nature across the borough.

Sites are grouped into tiers based on their importance. This helps guide how they are managed and considered through the planning process.

Sites of metropolitan importance

• Battersea Park 
• River Thames and its tidal tributaries 
• Tooting Common 
• Wimbledon Common & Putney Heath 

Sites of borough importance

• Bank of England Sports Club Grounds
• Battersea Power Station
• Beverley Brook
• Clapham Common
• Earlsfield Railway Cutting
• King Georges Park
• Lambeth Cemetery
• Putney Lower Common
• Putney Vale Cemetery
• Rail-side land not included within other sites (incl. rear 129–135
• Granville Rd)
• Richard Evans Memorial Playing Fields & Stag Lane
• River Wandle
• Roehampton Club Golf Course
• St Nicholas churchyard
• Streatham Cemetery
• University of Surrey, Roehampton
• Wandsworth Cemetery
• Wandsworth Common
• Wimbledon Park

Sites of local importance

• Edgecombe Hall Estate
• Falcon Park and Shillington Park
• Putney Old Burial Ground
• Putney Park Lane and The Pleasance
• Spencer Park
• St Mary’s Cemetery, Battersea Rise
• Wandsworth Park
• York Gardens