
via EPA
Levels of global biodiversity loss may negatively impact on ecosystem function and the sustainability of human societies, according to UCL-led research.
“This is the first time we’ve quantified the effect of habitat loss on biodiversity globally in such detail and we’ve found that across most of the world biodiversity loss is no longer within the safe limit suggested by ecologists” explained lead researcher, Dr Tim Newbold from UCL and previously at UNEP-WCMC.
“We know biodiversity loss affects ecosystem function but how it does this is not entirely clear. What we do know is that in many parts of the world, we are approaching a situation where human intervention might be needed to sustain ecosystem function.”
The team found that grasslands, savannas and shrublands were most affected by biodiversity loss, followed closely by many of the world’s forests and woodlands. They say the ability of biodiversity in these areas to support key ecosystem functions such as growth of living organisms and nutrient cycling has become increasingly uncertain.
The study, published today in Science, led by researchers from UCL, the Natural History Museum and UNEP-WCMC, found that levels of biodiversity loss are so high that if left unchecked, they could undermine efforts towards long-term sustainable development.
For 58.1% of the world’s land surface, which is home to 71.4% of the global population, the level of biodiversity loss is substantial enough to question the ability of ecosystems to support human societies. The loss is due to changes in land use and puts levels of biodiversity beyond the ‘safe limit’ recently proposed by the planetary boundaries – an international framework that defines a safe operating space for humanity.
“It’s worrying that land use has already pushed biodiversity below the level proposed as a safe limit,” said Professor Andy Purvis of the Natural History Museum, London, who also worked on the study. “Decision-makers worry a lot about economic recessions, but an ecological recession could have even worse consequences – and the biodiversity damage we’ve had means we’re at risk of that happening. Until and unless we can bring biodiversity back up, we’re playing ecological roulette.”
The team used data from hundreds of scientists across the globe to analyse 2.38 million records for 39,123 species at 18,659 sites where are captured in the database of the PREDICTS project. The analyses were then applied to estimate how biodiversity in every square kilometre land has changed since before humans modified the habitat.
They found that biodiversity hotspots – those that have seen habitat loss in the past but have a lot of species only found in that area – are threatened, showing high levels of biodiversity decline. Other high biodiversity areas, such as Amazonia, which have seen no land use change have higher levels of biodiversity and more scope for proactive conservation.
“The greatest changes have happened in those places where most people live, which might affect physical and psychological wellbeing. To address this, we would have to preserve the remaining areas of natural vegetation and restore human-used lands,” added Dr Newbold.
The team hope the results will be used to inform conservation policy, nationally and internationally, and to facilitate this, have made the maps from this paper and all of the underlying data publicly available.
Learn more: Biodiversity falls below ‘safe levels’ globally
The Latest on: Global biodiversity loss
via Google News
The Latest on: Global biodiversity loss
- Climate Defenders highlight key interventions for global climate conferenceon February 26, 2021 at 6:33 pm
Some of the country’s top "Climate Defenders" attended recently a meeting convened by the British Embassy in Manila in preparation for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP26 in ...
- News related to 'UN: Global climate pledges will only reduce emissions by 1% this decade'on February 26, 2021 at 5:03 am
Related environmental news tagged with the keywords 'argentina', 'australia', 'chile', 'climate change', 'cop26', 'drought', 'ipcc', 'kenya', 'net-zero', 'new zealand', 'norway', 'russia', ...
- Colombian President signals support for a Global Commission on Economy and Natureon February 25, 2021 at 3:51 pm
The idea of a Global Commission on the Economy and Nature was given a huge boost today when Colombian President Ivan Duque voiced his support. He made the comments at an event with Professor Partha ...
- COMMENT: Climate change and loss of biodiversity remain urgent Post-COVIDon February 25, 2021 at 10:18 am
Regional Perspectives of Green Economic Recovery Post COVID-19 COMMENT | Barbara Ntambirweki | The COVID-19 pandemic is testing governments and shattering economic growth all over the world. The ...
- For renewable energy projects, location is key to protect biodiversityon February 24, 2021 at 3:06 pm
By planning solar and wind renewable energy projects in areas with a lower conservation priority, project developers can avoid the most severe potential negative impacts on biodiversity ...
- Global initiative launched to boost circular economyon February 23, 2021 at 8:54 am
The Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE) was launched on Monday in Nairobi to boost the growth of the circular economy while enhancing resource use efficiency to reduce ...
- Banning wild meat could add to global food problemson February 23, 2021 at 6:09 am
A blanket ban on the trade of wild meat could create risks for nature and for human health, according to a new study.
- Biodiversity: the Next Investor Demand for Companies, New Study by Leaders Arenaon February 23, 2021 at 12:03 am
Leaders Arena’s latest study on biodiversity reporting finds that corporate disclosures fall short of investor expectations. The study finds that just 32% of large listed companies are disclosing on ...
- Integrating biodiversity into investment decisionson February 22, 2021 at 6:44 pm
It is estimated that damage to our ecosystems and the associated loss of biodiversity could cost the global economy $10 trillion by 2050. For many, the coronavirus has acted as a wake-up call: we ...
- OPINION: Everyone is needed in the new global push to protect natureon February 18, 2021 at 9:00 am
An ambitious international agreement to protect biodiversity is within reach - but if it is to succeed, business and civil society must play their part, alongside governments ...
via Bing News