Global Biodiversity Outlook 3

Biodiversity targets are not achieved, but there are options for the future

The target of 'achieving an important reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss on global, regional and national levels, in order to contribute to poverty alleviation, and to benefit all life on earth’ has not been attained. This is the main conclusion of the third global biodiversity outlook. Biodiversity will continue to decline in the coming century, if no action is taken. The rate of biodiversity loss will depend on future land-use development under unchanged policy on nature. This is shown in the figure below, which stems from the scenario study that was published as a separate report.

Many ecosystems are vulnerable

For many ecosystems, the risk of accelerated and large biodiversity losses is high when these ecosystems cross a certain threshold or ‘tipping point’. This would also have negative consequences for agriculture and fishery. Climate change adds to this risk. The report provides a number of important examples, such as changes in the Amazon Rain Forest, pollution of lakes, and threats to coral reefs.

Biodiversity is important

Biodiversity, the diversity in plant and animal species on earth, has its own, intrinsic value. Increasingly, studies are being published on its concrete value to society. Biodiversity plays an important role in the various ecosystems; the production of food, medicine, and fresh water is partly dependent on biodiversity. In addition, many people attach recreational and aesthetic value to biodiversity. See also the PBL report on ecosystem services.

Benefits of biodiversity targets

Global, European and national biodiversity targets, set for 2010, have led to various actions to protect biodiversity. Currently, 170 countries have formulated national target for protecting biodiversity, and in Europe a network of protected areas (Natura2000) has been established.

Many of the actions have been successful. This is shown by the many reports from individual countries, that together form the basis for this report. The scale on which these actions have been carried out, however, has not been sufficient to halt biodiversity loss completely.

Options for the future

The reports indicate that there are more options for halting biodiversity loss than was thought earlier. Some scenarios show that it is possible, through more efficient agriculture, to produce enough food as well as other products, while leaving the current forest areas undisturbed. It would even be possible to reduce the size of the total in agricultural area. This offers the possibility for regrowth of original biodiversity on abandoned agricultural lands. Marine biodiversity loss could be reduced through measures of sustainable fishery. In addition, the report suggests measures aimed at applying market mechanisms, strategic spatial planning, communication, education, and awareness.

More information

The PBL has contributed to the background report ‘Biodiversity Scenarios: projections of 21st century change in biodiversity and associated ecosystem services’ to the Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, which was published by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and produced in a collaboration of two international organisations:

• DIVERSITAS, an international programme of biodiversity science, see www.diversitas-international.org
• UNEP WCMC, World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme, see www.unep-wcmc.org

Additional information on models used can be obtained from: www.globio.info