Much of England's most precious wildlife could be lost in the face of climate change and development unless there is a new approach to conservation, Natural England has warned.
In its first State of the Environment report, the Government advisory body said the country's natural environment was much less rich than 50 years ago and was under increasing pressure.
Measures such as reconnecting fragmented wildlife-rich areas, recreating habitats and funding environmentally-friendly farming are needed for natural environment to withstand the threats it faces, the conservation agency said.
Following publication of the report detailing the condition of the natural environment, conservation groups demanded more action and resources to protect threatened wildlife.
The wide-ranging study said large number of species had declined in the past half century, ranging from reptiles including the adder, to bumblebees, farmland birds and grassland flowers.
Woodland butterflies have declined by 50%, while numbers of the wading bird the snipe have plummeted by almost two thirds in the 20 years up to 2002, and by as much as 90% in some areas.
While the broad character of England's landscapes was being maintained - with only 20% showing neglect - habitats ranging to grasslands to coastal saltmarshes were deteriorating, the report said.
In order to maintain ecosystems - and the benefits to the economy and people's health and wellbeing they provide - we need to employ "landscape-scale" conservation which links habitats, boosts wildlife and make landscapes appealing to the public, the report said.
Helen Phillips, chief executive of Natural England, said: "We need to find ways to manage our landscape to create a mosaic of uses so that we can help wildlife survive - be it through a new 'national park' around the length of England's coastline, better use of the green belt or improved use of public funding for farmers to deliver a better natural environment."
And she warned: "If we don't act, there's a real danger some of our most precious wildlife will be lost forever and our lives will be poorer for it."