Nature is worth about £50billion a year to the economy, a new report has revealed.
The economy is Â£20billion richer each year as a result of nature with an additional Â£30billion of value embedded in nature â if it is protected, the UK National Ecosystem Assessment report claims.
It found that inland wetlands, which work as natural water purifiers, are worth £1.5billion a year to the economy.
Pollinators, such as bees and insects, are worth £430million annually to agriculture, while rivers, coasts and other wetlands are worth £1.3billion per year for their transport and amenity value.
The health benefit of living close to a green space is £300 per person per year, the report found.
Hundreds of scientists took part in the independent report which tries to put a value on the environment in the hope of protecting it.
Environment secretary Caroline Spelman said: âWe have often taken nature for granted, until now.
âWeâre the first country to do this and to actually get a full understanding of what we get free from nature and to factor that into our decision-making.â