Convention on Biological Diversity:Species declined by nearly a third since 1970

Species are in sharp decline from 1970. Photo:Dano

As nations gather for the Convention on Biological Diversity in Bonn (19-30 May), a new report reveals that biodiversity has declined by almost a third in the last 35 years.

WWF looked at the Living Planet Index, which tracks nearly 4,000 populations of species, showing that land based, marine and freshwater species fell overall by 27 per cent between 1970 and 2005, with many species suffering an even more rapid decline. Marine birds, for example, have suffered a decline of about 30 per cent since the mid 1990s.

In 2002 the world’s governments set themselves a target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. The Living Planet index is the internationally agreed way to measure progress towards the global target. The new report ‘2010 and Beyond’ claims that governments are not on track to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss by this date.

WWF points to habitat destruction and wildlife trade as the major causes of population decline in species, but believes that over the next 30 years climate change will be an increasingly important factor affecting species. The natural habitats and ecosystems that wildlife relies on are also relied on by human communities for food, clean water, medicines and protection from natural hazards. ‘Reduced biodiversity means millions of people face a future where food supplies are more vulnerable to pests and disease and where water is in irregular or short supply,’ said James Leape, WWF Director General. Colin Butfield, Head of Campaigns at WWF-UK, said: ‘Biodiversity underpins the health of the planet and has a direct impact on all our lives so it is alarming that despite of an increased awareness of environmental issues we continue to see a downtrend trend.’

WWF is calling on governments during the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity Ninth Meeting (CBD COP 9), to:

Develop joint implementation plans between environment, agriculture, food, water, finance, and health in order to take urgent action to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.

Live up to their commitment to put in place effective protected area systems, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities and promoting equity and benefit sharing.

Adopt a target to achieve zero net annual deforestation by 2020 and initiate collaboration between the CBD and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce green house gas emissions from deforestation and degradation.