Many of the areas that have been recently marked as potential sites for fracking are rich in wildlife that perform crucial functions from pollination to decomposition, researchers have found.

Scientists say that almost two-thirds of the areas that have been labelled as suitable for shale gas extraction have levels of biodiversity equal to or above the national average, according to a new analysis of records collected from across the country.

“A lot of the areas that have opened up to shale gas licensing actually harbour much higher than average levels of biodiversity,” said Tom Oliver, of University of Reading who is a senior author of the study in the Journal of Applied Ecology. “We only have one natural heritage and we have to protect it and so using these data to highlight those very valuable sites and to facilitate their protection is hopefully a useful thing to do.”

The study, which analysed previously collected records of more than 5,500 species, including those of birds, plants and butterflies, found that 65.3% of proposed areas that have been designated suitable for fracking have levels of biodiversity equal to or above the national average, including parts of Lancashire and South Wales.

After dividing Britain up into squares, measuring 10km by 10km, the records, which were made by volunteers between 1970 and 2013, were assessed, taking into account the climate and geology of the area, as well as variations in the thoroughness of the recordings, thereby allowing different locations to be given a rating for their biodiversity, and compared to each other. The results are available to explore in an interactive digital map.

The scientists say the approach offers a new, fine-grained approach to looking at biodiversity across Britain. That, adds Oliver, will help, “to inform the location of large infrastructure projects or ecological restoration work”.

The study also looked at how biodiversity had changed over time, focussing on changes between two time periods, 1970-1990 and 2000-2013. While in many areas the decline in the presence of protected species mirrored that of biodiversity more widely, in others that was not the case.

“That wider biodiversity is still really important for a whole range of functions – pollination and pest control and decomposition – and also just the species that people really value seeing in the environment,” said Oliver. “[Priority species] are often used as indicators in these environmental assessments and we’re showing that actually our new method allows us to incorporate a whole suite of other species, thousands of more common species, which are just as important really.”

The RSPB welcomed the research. “This is an important piece of research that uses the UKs wealth of biodiversity data collected by volunteers to add to our understanding of the risks that come with fracking.” said Abi Bunker, the RSPB’s head of policy and advocacy. “The RSPB has long been concerned that fracking could pose risks to wildlife, and that’s why we campaigned for and welcomed a Government ban on fracking in Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other designated areas in England and Wales. However, this new evidence shows that fracking could still put sensitive wildlife and habitats at risk and that stronger regulation is needed before fracking goes ahead.”

A spokesperson from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said: “We have more than 50 years of drilling experience in the UK and one of the best records in the world for economic development while protecting our environment and the public.

“Any company that wants to carry out fracking must conduct an assessment of the impact on the environment and habitats, and earlier this year we brought in extra protections so that fracking could not take place in a number of protected areas that are home to wildlife.”