Halting biodiversity loss in the Netherlands: Evaluation of progress

In the Netherlands, biodiversity has steadily declined during the past century. Over the last years, this decline has been gradually slowing down. The implemented nature and environmental policy is starting to have its effect, but this will probably be insufficient to adhere to the European agreement of halting biodiversity loss by 2010. Decreasing overfertilisation and acidification have had positive effects on the loss of biodiversity. Land available to plant and animal species is increasing, due to the expansion of nature areas. However, the number of endangered species is also growing larger and many internationally important species are declining.

Biodiversity loss in the Netherlands is slowing down, but at a low level

The Member States of the European Union agreed to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. This brochure is a first attempt to evaluate the progress towards the 2010-target in the Netherlands, by means of the set of headline indicators as selected under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the European Environment Agency and European Union. The brochure is presented on may 20th 2008 during the 9th Conference of the Parties (COP 9) of the CBD in Bonn.

Findings

Overall, biodiversity loss has not been halted yet. Homogenisation still continues.
Nationally, at the ecosystem level, biodiversity loss is halting slowly, but at a low biodiversity level (± 15%).
Looking in more detail, heathlands, grasslands and agriculture are still in decline. Forest and dunes show improvements.
At the species level less-vulnerable species show improvements, while the most vulnerable species show further decline. The Red List grows.
Agro-genetic diversity of breeds is low and probably continues to decline.
Most species and habitats of European interest are in an unfavourable conservation status.
The biodiversity footprint for national consumption corresponds with an area of about 3 times the Netherlands that has lost its entire biodiversity (outside the Netherlands).
Most pressures decrease, but not sufficiently.
Sustainable use in fisheries, forestry and agriculture is not on track, yet.
Public support and awareness is high, although slightly decreasing.

This brochure evaluates the progress towards the 2010-target in the Netherlands based on the set of 2010-indicators as selected for the Convention on Biological Diversity. They were further developed under the Streamlining European 2010 Biodiversity Indicators project (SEBI 2010; EEA Technical report No 11/2007). This evaluation is a first implementation of the 2010-indicators in the Netherlands.

Other publications

Background rapports

B.H.M. Elands en C.S.A. van Koppen, 2007 .Indicators for the 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Public awareness and participation.
F.E. Fey-Hofstede en H.W.G. Meesters, 2007. Indicators for the 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Exploration of the usefulness of the Marine Trophic Index (MTI) as an indicator for sustainability of marine fisheries in the Dutch part of the North Sea.
A. Gaaff en R.W. Verburg, 2007. Indicators for the 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Government expenditure on land acquisition and nature development for the National Ecological Network (EHS) and expenditure for international biodiversity projects.
Th.C.P. Melman en J.P.M. Willemen, 2007. Indicators for the 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Coverage protected areas.
L.G. Moraal, 2007. Indicatoren voor 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Effecten van klimaatverandering op insectenplagen bij bomen. (In Dutch)
B.S.J. Nijhof, C.C. Vos en A.J. van Strien, 2007. Indicators for the 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Influence of climate change on biodiversity.
M.J.S.M. Reijnen, 2007. Indicators for the 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. National Capital Index version 2.0.
M.J.S.M. Reijnen, 2007. Indicators for the 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Connectivity/fragmentation of ecosystems: spatial conditions for sustainable biodiversity.
W.J. van der Weijden, R. Leewis en P. Bol, 2907. Indicatoren voor 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Indicatoren voor het invasieproces van exotische organismen in Nederland. (In Dutch)
J.J. Windig, M.G.P. van Veller en S.J. Hiemstra, 2007. Indicatoren voor 'Convention on Biodiversity 2010'. Biodiversiteit Nederlandse landbouwhuisdieren en gewassen. (In Dutch)

Specifications

Publication title: Halting biodiversity loss in the Netherlands: Evaluation of progress
Publication date: 20 May 2008
Publication type: Publication
Product number: 92257