Analyse: Wissenschaftliche Fakten über biologische Vielfalt

Im Rahmen des Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, hat GreenFacts – zusammen mit anderen führenden Umweltorganisationen – einen Überblick über die aktuellen Herausforderungen bezüglich des Erhalts der Artenvielfalt zusammen gestellt. Neben anderen Faktoren analysieren sie insbesondere die Ursachen, welche für die derzeitigen Verluste der Artenvielfalt verantwortlich sind und welche Maßnahmen ergriffen werden müssen, um diesen Trend umzukehren. 

Starting with an operational definition of biodiversity and a basic description of so-called „ecosystem services,“ the report focuses on the impact of human actions on the „irreversible losses in terms of diversity of life on Earth.“ Although measurement of biodiversity issues remains controversial, human activity would have increased the extinction rate of species by at least 100 times compared to natural rate, according to WWF and UNEP-WCMC figures.

Therefore, the study seeks to raise concern about the problematic „trade-offs“ between our modern growth patterns and ways of life on the one hand, and the significant transformation of ecosystems they entail, on the other. It also calls for the integration of the full economic value of ecosystem services in decision-making. As long as individuals are not made aware that the costs of their biodiversity-related activities exceed their current benefits, „drivers“ of ecosystems‘ degradation such as habitat change, climate change and a growing population and consumption will continue to develop „at the present pace or even faster.“ 

The four scenarios that have been set up within the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment all foresee a rise of the average income per person in the next fifty years and beyond, though accompanied by increased inequity (e.g. in terms of food security) and a continuing decline in local and global biodiversity. 

To reverse this trend, the report urges for unprecedented additional efforts in the field of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. It particularly emphasises public action, economic incentives, prevention and early intervention, integration of biodiversity in all interrelated economic sectors (agriculture, fisheries), as well as institutional capacity-building and information programmes on the benefits of protecting ecosystems. 

All in all, the environmental consortium welcomes the positive effect of already existing actions, though the objective to reduce the overall rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 is held as unrealistic in the present situation. Not only short-term but above all longer-term goals and targets (such as 2050) are said to be needed to guide policies in that realm.