With the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain legislation in the UK as of February and April 2024 this has been a much discussed topic lately.
Here are some useful facts and stats about biodiversity:
1. 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has issued a stark warning: 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.
This unprecedented level of risk highlights the pressure that human activities place on the natural world, from habitat destruction and pollution to overexploitation and climate change. The potential loss of such a vast number of species threatens to unravel the complex web of life that sustains ecosystems across the globe.
These ecosystems provide essential services to humanity, including food, clean water, and air, as well as regulating the climate and diseases.
The IPBES report serves as a clarion call for urgent action to reverse the tide of biodiversity loss. It underscores the importance of adopting and implementing measures like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), which aims to leave biodiversity in a better state than before.
By prioritising the protection and restoration of natural habitats, enhancing ecosystem services, and fostering sustainable development, BNG principles can play a pivotal role in addressing the biodiversity crisis highlighted by IPBES, ensuring a resilient and thriving planet for future generations.
2. At least 680 vertebrate species have gone extinct since the 16th century
Since the 16th century, our planet has witnessed the irreversible loss of at least 680 vertebrate species, marking a significant decline in global biodiversity.
This grim statistic highlights the fragility of natural ecosystems and the urgent need for concerted conservation efforts.
By mandating that new developments not only mitigate their environmental impact but also contribute positively to local biodiversity, BNG offers a proactive approach to conservation.
3. The majority of native species in land-based habitats have declined by at least 20% since the 1900s
The majority of native species in land-based habitats experiencing a decline of at least 20% since the 1900s is a sobering reminder of the ongoing erosion of global biodiversity.
This widespread reduction reflects the profound impact human activity has had on the natural world, from habitat destruction to pollution and climate change.
4. More than 40% of amphibians are threatened with extinction
The stark reality that more than 40% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction underscores the critical vulnerability of these creatures, pivotal for their roles in pest control and as indicators of environmental health.
This alarming rate of decline is largely attributed to habitat loss, pollution, disease, and climate change.
By prioritising the conservation and restoration of natural habitats, BNG initiatives aim to safeguard amphibian populations, alongside other threatened species, ensuring a future where biodiversity thrives.
5. Nearly 33% of reef-forming corals are facing extinction threats
The fact that nearly 33% of reef-forming corals are facing extinction threats highlights a critical concern for marine biodiversity and the health of ocean ecosystems.
Corals, the architects of coral reefs, play an essential role in providing habitat and food for a vast array of marine life, in addition to supporting human economies through tourism and fisheries.
Their decline, driven by warming oceans, acidification, pollution, and destructive fishing practices, signals a dire need for concerted conservation efforts.
By embedding BNG into marine development and conservation strategies, there’s potential not only to mitigate harm but to actively enhance and restore coral reef ecosystems.
This approach represents a significant step towards reversing the trend of marine biodiversity loss, aiming for a future where the oceans’ vibrant communities are preserved and flourish.
6. Over a third of all marine mammals are under threat of extinction
Marine mammals, from majestic whales to playful seals, are crucial for maintaining the health and balance of marine ecosystems. The threat of extinction looming for over one third of them stems from a myriad of human activities, including overfishing, climate change, and pollution.
7. There has been a 68% average decline in population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish between 1970 and 2016
The staggering 68% average decline in population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish from 1970 to 2016 underscores a profound and widespread loss in global biodiversity.
This dramatic reduction reflects the severe impact of human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change, on the natural world.
BNG mandates that development projects not only minimise their impact on the environment but also make positive contributions to local biodiversity.
By adopting BNG principles, there’s a pathway to not only halt the decline but to enhance the vitality and diversity of ecosystems globally. This approach is crucial for reversing the trend of biodiversity loss, aiming for a future where wildlife populations are not just stable but flourishing.
8. Human activities are overusing Earth’s bio-capacity by an estimated 56%
The startling statistic that human activities are overusing Earth’s bio-capacity by an estimated 56% underscores the profound impact of our consumption and production patterns on the planet.
This overuse signifies that we are consuming natural resources faster than the Earth can regenerate them, leading to deforestation, water scarcity, soil depletion, and a loss of biodiversity.
By requiring developments to leave biodiversity in a better state than before, BNG encourages more sustainable use of resources, aiming to reduce our ecological footprint and restore the balance between human needs and the planet’s capacity to sustain life.
BNG’s recent implementation into England could help mitigate the overexploitation of Earth’s bio-capacity, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.
9. Human activities have significantly altered three-quarters of land-based environments and 66% of marine environments
The fact that human activities have significantly altered three-quarters of land-based environments and 66% of marine environments is a stark indication of our profound impact on the planet.
This transformation has led to habitat destruction, pollution, and a decline in biodiversity, affecting the resilience of ecosystems and their ability to provide essential services, from clean air and water to fertile soil and climate regulation.
In response to this global challenge, the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) offers a pathway towards restoration and sustainable management. This approach ensures that future developments contribute positively to the health of the planet and the well-being of all its inhabitants.
10. The planet’s biodiversity holds enormous, untapped potential for medical and scientific breakthroughs
The planet’s biodiversity, with its vast and largely untapped potential, holds the key to countless medical and scientific breakthroughs.
From the depths of the oceans to the canopies of the rainforests, myriad species exist with unique compounds and genetic materials that could lead to groundbreaking advancements in healthcare, including new medicines, treatments, and technologies.
This potential underscores the critical importance of preserving biodiversity not only for the ecosystem services it provides but also for the future of scientific innovation and human well-being.
The principles of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) align with this perspective by advocating for development approaches that enhance rather than diminish biodiversity.
By prioritising the conservation of natural habitats and species, BNG initiatives ensure that the wellspring of nature’s innovations remains protected and available for future generations to discover and benefit from, highlighting the intrinsic value of maintaining the earth’s biological diversity.
11. Climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected
The interconnection between climate change and biodiversity loss is a critical global issue, signalling a dual crisis that exacerbates the vulnerability of ecosystems and diminishes their ability to adapt.
Climate change, driven by human activities, leads to alterations in temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels, affecting the distribution and survival of species and, consequently, biodiversity.
Similarly, the loss of biodiversity weakens ecosystems, reducing their resilience to climate variations and their capacity to sequester carbon, thus accelerating climate change. Recognizing this interdependence, new environmental strategies are essential.
12. Biodiversity can help us adapt to climate change
Biodiversity plays a key role in our adaptation to climate change, offering a natural buffer against its impacts.
Diverse ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and mangroves, provide critical services that enhance resilience to climate effects.
For instance, they act as carbon sinks, reducing greenhouse gases, and protect against natural disasters, like floods and hurricanes, by stabilising landscapes and coastlines. Moreover, the genetic diversity within plant and animal species fosters resilience, enabling adaptation to changing conditions.
By investing in biodiversity, we invest in a sustainable future, leveraging nature’s own mechanisms to adapt and thrive in the face of climate challenges.
13. The Global Biodiversity Framework aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land, ocean, and inland waters by 2030
The Global Biodiversity Framework’s ambitious goal to protect 30% of the planet’s land, ocean, and inland waters by 2030 marks a critical milestone in conservation efforts.
This target, often referred to as “30 by 30,” is designed to halt the alarming rate of biodiversity loss and safeguard ecosystems that are vital for sustaining life on Earth.
By setting aside a significant portion of the natural world for conservation, the initiative aims to preserve the myriad forms of life that inhabit these areas, ensuring their survival for future generations.
The framework not only highlights the urgent need for global action but also serves as a rallying point for countries, communities, and individuals to come together in a concerted effort to combat environmental degradation.
Through the protection of critical habitats, the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and the implementation of sustainable management practices, the “30 by 30” goal embodies a comprehensive approach to maintaining the health and diversity of the planet’s ecosystems.
14. Biological diversity is vital for our food, soil, water, weather, and even the air we breathe
Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the foundation of ecosystem services that are critical for human survival and well-being.
It underpins food security through the provision of a wide range of crops and pollination services, ensuring nutritional diversity and resilience in food supply.
Biodiversity enriches the soil, fostering healthy ecosystems that support agriculture and natural vegetation. It plays a crucial role in water purification and the regulation of water cycles, affecting both the quantity and quality of water available.
Weather patterns and climate regulation are also influenced by biodiversity, particularly through the maintenance of carbon cycles and the provision of natural barriers against extreme weather events.
Moreover, biodiversity is essential for air quality, with plants and phytoplankton contributing to oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption.
The preservation of biodiversity is not just about conserving plants and animals; it’s about maintaining the systems that support life itself, including ours.
15. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted to halt biodiversity degradation
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework represents a landmark international agreement, adopted with the ambitious goal of halting biodiversity degradation.
This framework sets forth a global strategy to address the alarming rate of biodiversity loss and to ensure the long-term health of the planet’s ecosystems. It outlines specific targets and actions for countries to enhance conservation efforts, restore ecosystems, and integrate biodiversity considerations into policies and practices across all sectors.
The adoption of this framework signifies a collective recognition of the urgent need to preserve the natural world upon which all life depends. It emphasises the critical role of biodiversity in sustaining ecosystem services that are vital for human survival, such as food security, climate regulation, and disease management.
By rallying international commitment towards achieving its objectives, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to foster a harmonious relationship between human development and the natural environment, ensuring a sustainable future for all species, including our own.
16. Of the estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic species on Earth, 86% of land species and 91% of ocean species have not yet been described
The revelation that of the estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic species on Earth, 86% of land species and 91% of ocean species remain undescribed, highlights the vast uncharted territories of biodiversity.
This staggering statistic underscores the richness and complexity of life on our planet, much of which remains a mystery. The undiscovered species represent a treasure trove of genetic diversity, potential new medicines, and insights into ecosystem resilience and adaptation.
This unknown diversity is a crucial reminder of the importance of conservation efforts, as species risk extinction before their discovery or understanding.
The urgency to explore and document this unseen biodiversity aligns with the principles of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), advocating for actions that not only mitigate harm to biodiversity but actively enhance it.
By protecting habitats and investing in scientific research, we can uncover and safeguard the full spectrum of life on Earth, ensuring the preservation of its invaluable diversity for future generations.
17. Freshwater habitats support one-third of all described vertebrates and nearly 10% of all known animal species
Freshwater habitats, despite covering a small fraction of the Earth’s surface, are biodiversity hotspots, supporting one-third of all described vertebrates and nearly 10% of all known animal species.
These ecosystems, ranging from rivers and lakes to wetlands, are vital for the survival of a myriad of species, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, and numerous invertebrates.
This rich biodiversity not only contributes to the ecological balance and resilience of these habitats but also provides essential services to humans, such as water purification, flood control, and opportunities for recreation and cultural activities.
The significance of freshwater habitats underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect and restore these ecosystems. Initiatives that embrace the principles of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) are crucial in this context.
By ensuring that any development or land use change results in a positive impact on biodiversity, BNG strategies can help maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of freshwater habitats, securing their biodiversity for future generations and supporting the continuation of their vital ecosystem services.
18. Ecosystem services provided by biodiversity include air and water purification, climate moderation, and crop pollination
Ecosystem services, including air and water purification, climate moderation, and crop pollination, underscore biodiversity’s critical role in sustaining life on Earth.
These natural processes, essential for clean air, fresh water, stable climates, and food production, hinge on the health and diversity of ecosystems. With biodiversity under threat, the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) offers a promising solution.
By ensuring development projects not only minimise their impact but also enhance biodiversity, BNG aims to bolster ecosystem resilience and functionality.
This proactive approach is vital for preserving the essential services ecosystems provide, highlighting the importance of integrating biodiversity considerations into planning and development to ensure a sustainable future.
19. Since 1955, human activities have driven a greater alteration of biodiversity than at any time in human history
Since 1955, human activities have led to unprecedented changes in biodiversity, surpassing any other period in human history.
This rapid alteration, driven by urbanisation, deforestation, agriculture, and climate change, has significantly impacted ecosystems worldwide, leading to habitat loss, species extinction, and reduced ecosystem resilience.
Recognizing the urgency to reverse these trends, the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has gained prominence. BNG mandates that development projects enhance biodiversity, aiming to offset negative impacts and contribute positively to the environment.
This approach is crucial for restoring natural habitats and preserving the diversity of life on Earth, ensuring a sustainable future for all species.