Introduction: Loss of Biodiversity

The Global Convention on Biological Diversity, signed in 1992 at the Earth Summit, describes biodiversity as the "variability among all living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are part, this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems."

Among the ten policy fields, Loss of Biodiversity is probably the most controversial one. The diversity of nature is the result of an evolutionary process that started about two billion years ago. When looking, for example, at the destruction of rain forests over the last twenty years, it becomes obvious that mankind is destroying this heritage at an incredible speed. Not surprisingly, the biodiversity debate is laden with ethical, sometimes religious arguments. It was probably a biologist who has coined the saying "dont put price tags on my butterflies" ; however, economic reality puts "price tags" on biodiversity every day, mostly ignoring the moral considerations raised by experts.

The number of species endangered by human activities and the number of natural or semi-natural habitats being destroyed, fragmented or changed are constantly growing, thus destabilising ecosystems, causing the loss of vital resources together with genetic and cultural impoverishment.

Europe covers only 7% of the Earths land surface but contains a large biodiversity due to natural fragmentation by rivers, mountains, seas, the influences of glaciation, etc. The pressures on European biodiversity emanate from all sectors of society, with agriculture, forestry and transport being particularly responsible for habitat loss and fragmentation.

Measuring pressure on biodiversity, although an ambitious task, is essential to supply the controversial biodiversity debate with (hopefully) non-controversial, neutral and objective figures. Given the complexity of the issue, one should not expect perfect solutions. Describing threats to the "health" of ecosystems with just six indicators will resemble very much what a doctor would advise a human patient: "stop smoking, drink less, avoid fat meals and ride your bicycle every day." Most of the following indicators are of this rather general character. They are no substitute for a proper diagnosis, or a detailed plan to preserve a valuable habitat, but they may serve to publicly monitor the biggest threats to European biodiversity.

Please note that this chapter focuses on pressures on terrestrial biodiversity. The biodiversity of marine ecosystems is treated within the separate policy field Marine Environment & Coastal Zones . Forest ecosystem matters will be included in the biodiversity chapter , whereas economic aspects such as wood consumption will be treated under Resource Depletion .