WITH its small, kidney-shaped leaves and greenish-yellow flowers, until this week the alchemilla minima was found only in the Yorkshire Dales - but now can be seen all over the world. The limestone grassland plant, known only by its scientific name, is one of hundreds of species of flora and fauna featured in a website launched yesterday.

The Biodiversity Website is a showcase for wildlife from across Yorkshire, including moths, fungi, orchids, beetles and birds.

Its launch coincides with a conference in York on the future of Yorkshire's wildlife.

Dr Lawrence Jones-Walters, chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Biodiversity Forum, said: "There is a responsibility on everyone who lives and works in the region to safeguard the species and habitats which give the area such a unique character. The conference is an opportunity to agree the future actions that are needed to maintain our regional biodiversity, while the launch of the website will raise awareness of our unique wildlife."

The website, www.yhbf.org, was launched by Countryside Agency deputy chairman Pam Warhurst at the conference, which took place at St William's College.