Individual plant and animal species do not exist in isolation from the habitats in which they live and are often dependent on a specific habitat. The best way of protecting species is therefore through habitat protection, and management of that habitat with regard to species' requirements. These issues are considered above.

However, species require their own protection to strengthen their conservation within the legal framework. Rare species that are vulnerable to extinction and may have a history of exploitation require special legislation. Not all valued habitat is protected by any means and, furthermore, mobile species can spend a good proportion of their lives between protected sites and wider habitats.

Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981, as amended) is foremost among the various pieces of legislation protecting wild plants and animals in the UK. The Act also implements several international conventions and directives in this country (see ‘relevant legislation’, below). Whilst wildlife law enforcement is conducted by the Police, English Nature is the advisory authority for statutorily protected species and the first point of contact for enquiries.

All of London's wild birds, with the exception of traditionally hunted and pest species, are protected from killing and catching, being held in captivity, and the wilful destruction of their nests. Some uncommon species are also protected from disturbance at the nest whilst breeding. It is illegal to uproot any of London's wild plants without the landowner's permission and, in addition, a few nationally rare species may not be picked or sold.

Several of London's mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are protected to various degrees. The fullest protection prevents killing and catching; possession and trade; damage to their places of shelter and disturbance during occupation of such places. Partial protection might solely prevent killing, injuring and trade; or only damage to places of shelter and disturbance, or in some cases simply trade.

Although the Protection of Badgers Act is primarily intended as a welfare law, it effectively makes the badger a fully protected species. Moreover, all species of wild mammals are protected from cruel mistreatment by the Wild Mammals (protection) Act.

Birds that are specially protected whilst breeding include kingfisher, hobby, barn owl, little ringed plover and black redstart. London’s more irregular breeders include peregrine falcon, marsh warbler, Cetti's warbler, firecrest, bearded tit, avocet and woodlark.

Fully protected animals other than birds include all bat species, common dormouse, great crested newt and badger. Partially protected species include the water vole (its burrows, immediate habitat and disturbance of the animal whilst in occupation only); common lizard, slow-worm, grass snake and adder (intentional killing, injuring and trade only); common frog, common toad, smooth and palmate newts, chalkhill blue, small blue, purple emperor, brown hairstreak, white-letter hairstreak and stag beetle (trade only).

Specially protected plants include greater yellow-rattle, Deptford pink and early gentian. The bluebell is protected from trade only.

Planning guidance specifically states that the presence of protected species and their habitat may be a material planning consideration in development control (PPG9 paragraph 47, DOE 1994). This includes a great many plants and animals, as we have seen that a wide variety of species are afforded some degree of legal protection through legislation. PPG9 also encourages London planning authorities to include specific policies for protected species in their Unitary Development Plans.

Species identified as a priority for the national, London, or individual borough action plans may not necessarily be afforded statutory protection (for example most invertebrates). It is appropriate therefore, to bring these priority species under the same protection in planning as those with legal protection. The revision of PPG9 should assist this.