Biodiversity and resilient ecosystems

Biodiversity is the variety of life: all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms, as well as the genetic variation within those species and between different ecosystems – from grasslands to forests and from rivers to oceans. Biodiversity is not just a sum of species, but the foundation of resilient nature, healthy landscapes and a functioning society.

An ecosystem is the sum of all living organisms and their environment. Within an ecosystem, the interactions between organisms and their surroundings form one interconnected network. The greater the biodiversity, the stronger and more resilient the system becomes, and the better it can absorb changes or disturbances.

Biodiversity is the foundation of a healthy life. Alongside clean water and fertile soil, biodiversity provides diverse food, medicines and building materials. A green environment also supports both physical and mental health. Yet nature is declining rapidly worldwide due to human activity. The loss of genetic diversity and the decrease in species richness have advanced so far that we have crossed safe boundaries. In doing so, humanity undermines its own security: clean water, food, health and a liveable climate are at risk. Biodiversity affects every layer of society, and its preservation is in everyone’s interest.

Biodiversity is mainly lost through human activities. Agriculture, industry, transport and urbanisation cause pollution, nitrogen emissions, pesticide use and groundwater extraction, degrading habitats and driving species loss. Globally, agriculture accounts for most deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, while itself becoming increasingly vulnerable to drought, soil depletion and the loss of pollinators. Climate change amplifies these pressures and accelerates extinction. Only by significantly reducing these drivers can biodiversity be restored in a lasting way.