Conservation scientists and practitioners in Europe should be more worried about Brexit, the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The UK may not be rich in biodiversity, but it makes an enormous contribution to European conservation in terms of people, philosophy, practice and public engagement.

Skilled UK researchers and practitioners working in highly respected institutions are at the heart of many cross-European networks of conservation research, implementation and training. The prospect of Brexit is already creating uncertainty about the funding, maintenance and expansion of those networks. Restricting free movement, collaboration and communication will make conservation poorer and less effective on both sides.