Nature Canada

Global Biodiversity Outlook 3: A look at biodiversity across the globe

Earlier this week the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) released their 3rd edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook – GBO-3, a publication that summarizes the status and trends of biodiversity around the world. Data in the report is based on approximately 120 national reports submitted to the CBD by its member Parties.

The report concludes that biodiversity continues to decline on all three of its levels – genes, species and ecosystems.

Some of the major findings:

– 44% of waterbirds with known trends are in decline

– 42% of all amphibian species AND 40% of bird species are declining

– An estimated ¼ of the world’s terrestrial habitats were being destroyed from1980-2003

– Approximately 12% of the world’s land are designated Protected Areas

– Inland ecosystems, such as wetlands, rivers and lakes, have experienced more change than any other ecosystems

– 21% of the world’s 7,000 live stock breeds have been classified as being at risk

– An approximate 500 million to over 1 billion people rely on corals (covering 1.2% of the world’s continental shelf) for food

The GBO-3 commends Canada for its significant increase in Protected Areas – 210,000 km2 since 2002. However, it blatantly points out the world’s failure to meet the 2010 Biodiversity Target:

‘The target agreed by the world’s Governments in 2002, “to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth”, has not been met.’

 

Photo: Coverpage of GBO-3

 

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