Biodiversity On The Decline - A Summary of the 2019 IPBES Report

The Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) released a report last year about the state of biodiversity in the world. Here are some key takeaways.

The opening statement is a look at the all-important role of nature in the world. It documents the functions of nature in supporting human existence and civilization, the role of all other life excluding mankind as well as acknowledgement of how different elements and processes interact in the natural world so as to support the existence of the millions of species on the planet.

The report opens by articulating some of the gifts of nature such as  goods and services, food and feed, air regulation and supply, water supply, physical benefits, psychological benefits, provision of medicines, protection and buffering against extreme weather events, genetic resources, provision of fuel and energy, ensuring the health of soils, carbon sequestration and regulation of climate, pest control, pollination as a service, provision of construction materials, cultural benefits, giving of identities and learning and inspiration.

Nature supports life as we know it. For example, agriculture is wholly dependent on services offered by nature such as soil health, pest control, pollination services and water supply. 75% of all food produced on the planet including cash crops is dependent on animal pollination such as insects. In this way, nature plays an irreplaceable role in ensuring food security. A large percentage of medicines are also plant based. Nature also supports the livelihoods of billions of people who directly and indirectly depend on it, for example in such sectors as tourism and the timber industry. In this it supports the economy.

The human footprint and effect on nature is indisputable and largely negative, leading to grim statistics such as 1 million species facing extinction in a matter of decades and many others already under threat.

Biodiversity is declining in our times faster than any other time in all of history.

The first driver having most consequence on biodiversity loss on land is land use. And this is defined in terms of agriculture, forestry and urbanization. Today, agricultural productivity has tripled compared to the 70s and has reduced the richness of previously bio diverse land by such practices such as extensive monoculture, use of harmful pesticides and herbicides, as well as direct habitat loss. 

As a matter of fact, one third of dry land in the planet is under agriculture. Exploitation and reduction of acreage under forests is another cause of loss of biodiversity. Urbanization keeps swallowing up land reducing natural systems by grave proportions.

Direct exploitation of organisms is the second major cause of terrestrial biodiversity loss. Poaching and hunting, capturing animals for entertainment and for luxury products is a contributor to this. Certain species have come under huge threat and have to be legally protected to preserve them from extinction.

African elephants, one of the species under threat. Image courtesy

Coming in third is climate change. Reduction of range and abundance, seasonality and direct habitat loss as well as changing physical conditions are some of the ways climate change threatens biodiversity. For instance as the planet continues to warm, plants are flowering earlier. Some species die out because of erratic, extreme and unpredictable weather conditions. Plant species are also following the zero degree line and migrating slowly to the upwards heading to polar regions. The tropics are losing biodiversity at a high rate due to climate change. The climate change influenced 

Australian wildfires caused massive harm to biodiversity, with more than half a billion animals lost to the infernos.

The fourth cause of biodiversity loss on land is pollution. Water, land and air pollution is a major threat to animals, plants, insects and microbes. Synthetic chemicals used in human life for one purpose or another as well as untreated waste dumped anywhere is a major cause of loss.

Lastly, invasive or alien species also affect biodiversity. Invasive species are those that are completely new and non-native to a given ecosystem. They don’t exist naturally. Such don’t have natural predators and thus evade the system of checks and balances found in nature. They prey on local species and can be impossible to control. It is worth noting that climate change is one of the causes of increased incidence of invasive species.

Terrestrial ecosystems are also affected by infrastructure change especially in previously unexplored areas, increased human population encroaching on previously unoccupied areas and leading to human wildlife conflict, excessive water extraction leaving little to no water as well as occasioning loss of habitat.

Extraction of fossil fuels and mining activities also destroys biodiversity directly through habitat loss. Fossil fuel extraction also poisons ground and surface water and kills off life. It also poisons air and affects life similarly.

All these activities have also led to the loss of genetic biodiversity, both in domestic species and their reservoirs in wild relatives. They both are losing genetic biodiversity and diversity in terms of species, populations and abundance.

When it comes to marine ecosystems, the first driver of biodiversity loss is fishing. Fishing is a multibillion industry. When well regulated, it is not as much of a problem as unregulated and illegal fishing especially in multinational waters. Fishing in general is projected to be gravely affected by warming waters resulting from climate change. Overfishing is well on course to deplete the worlds fishing stocks faster than they can be replenished and is one huge problem for biodiversity.

The second cause of biodiversity loss in the waterways is sea use change. This includes building of intrusive coastal infrastructure. Plastic pollution is also a major cause of worry with ocean plastic said to be more than the fish in the water. Micro plastics are particularly problematic as they have the ability to move up food chains and affect the human health.

Species such as water turtles, birds and whales have a high mortality rate because of ingesting plastic or being ensnared in plastic which affects movement.

Dumping of toxic waste in water is another problem. Toxic waste directly causes the death of sea life and poisons the water thereby affecting all dependent species. It can also lead to genetic mutations and incidence of tumors.

Influx of agrochemicals in seas and lakes causes massive growth of algae which depletes dissolved oxygen. Animals and plants reliant on oxygen for respiration then die off, leading to massive zones filled with zero life.

 Off shore mining and oil spills are also a cause of biodiversity loss. Oil spills are very hard to completely clean up, and the consequences are far reaching. Oil covers the water with an impenetrable upper layer and therefore prevents life giving oxygen or any gas at all to dissolve in the water thus killing off marine life.

In the climate change and oceans report released by the IPCC last year, the panel notes that climate change poses major risk for the seas. Marine heat waves, coral bleaching, loss of catch potential, changing ocean chemistry, ocean acidification, loss of habitat for polar/Arctic life are all consequences of higher temperatures. The IPBES notes that the 2 degree limit on temperature rise this century is of ultimate necessity or else the loss in biodiversity will be catastrophic.

Off coast aquaculture as well as intrusive sea tourism also leads to biodiversity loss.

The repercussions of biodiversity loss will affect the attainment of all sustainable development goals because they are intertwined and impossible to separate. In particular, the goals of climate action, life under water, life on land, food supply/eradication of hunger, clean water and sanitation, poverty (because economic prosperity relies on ecological wellbeing), health (because a lot of medicines are derived from nature), cities (urbanization) and gender equality (because women and girls work most with the environment and are therefore disproportionately affected) are directly touched by biodiversity loss..

A particularly worrying consequence of all this is that those who stand to be most affected by biodiversity loss are the world’s poorest communities as well as indigenous peoples, because they rely on nature for a livelihood.

The report further notes that indigenous people have played and continue to play an important role in biodiversity conservation. Generally land under their management has thrived better and is more diverse than elsewhere. The report calls these lands “islands of biodiversity”. However these lands are mow coming under intense pressure such as in the Amazon.

Generally, biodiversity on the planet is on the decline but it’s managed better in areas under indigenous people.

Sadly, nature and its communities in both managed and unmanaged (free-existing) systems is becoming increasingly similar to each other and losing diversity because of planet-wide human interference e.g. climate change and pollution.

Incentives to economic prosperity have come at a huge expense to the environment. For example, the demand for energy and materials has increased exponentially in the last 50 years, with the resultant negative effects on the environment

One consequence of all this is that species are exhibiting rapid evolution tracked in short spaces of time such as years or months.

On the current trajectory, the Aichi biodiversity targets for 2020 will be missed, and the state of affairs right now does not do nearly enough to protect biodiversity.

What are some of the ways forward?

There should be incentives to protect biodiversity and the environment. An important principle to adhere to is that animals and plants have an inherent and independent right to exist. They do not exist for the gratification of or at the pleasure of man.

Secondly, recognizing biodiversity is of ultimate necessity to every area of life as we know it: food security, provision of medicines and the economy. A planet rich in biodiversity is also healthier and economically prosperous.

Rich biodiversity will contribute to and is necessary to a thriving global economy.

Another way is to enhance cross sector and international cooperation for the protection of biodiversity. Well-coordinated efforts are crucial and go further in terms of bearing fruit.

Environmental regulation and implementation of tough laws is another way to protect biodiversity.

Knowledge sharing as well as awareness creation is also a necessary strategy in halting biodiversity loss. People who are more aware of the importance of biodiversity do more to ensure their actions are beneficial to the planet and strive to protect biodiversity.

Better governance and policies at higher levels is needed.

Emerging technology can be used to map out and track species movement in order to enhance protection.

Gender inclusivity and letting the voice of indigenous people and local communities be heard is paramount particularly in decision making.

Good economic practices which take into account environmental soundness and well being should be encouraged.

Environmental monitoring and evaluation is a critical way to protect nature.

Innovation and investments in protecting biodiversity is to be encouraged.

Finally, it is good to note that development should be sustainable and not in any way detrimental to natural life.