Did you know?

The global forest area per capita has fallen from 1.4 hectares in 1960 to only 0.5 hectares per person in 2019, a decline of 60 %.‍

The 3 levels of biodiversity

1. Genetic diversity

The diversity of genes is unique and important for the adaptation of a species to changing environmental conditions. Mutation or interbreeding can give rise to new species that are better adapted to the particular living environment. Thus, genetic diversity contributes to the survival of humankind and many other organisms by ensuring adaptability.

2. Species diversity

Species diversity is the alpha and omega of a healthy ecosystem. Each species has an important role in the context, and the addition or omission of a species can have major consequences for the system as a whole. A balance between flora and fauna provides interactions that can preserve or destroy diversity. If one species dominates in an ecosystem, it destroys the balance and thus the system itself.

3. Ecosystem diversity

Ecosystem diversity is an essential component of the biosphere. This comprises the different habitats that exist within a region. A good example of this is the different habitats that make up the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem: Grasslands, wetlands, rivers and estuaries. This level of biodiversity refers to all levels larger than species, such as communities, ecosystems and interactions between them. Studying this complex interaction is difficult and it is hard to predict what results will be obtained.

Biodiversity is in danger

The biological diversity of our planet is the basis for our daily lives - even if we often don't notice it. Plants convert the sun's energy into vital nutrients, which they pass on to animals and humans. Through the water cycle, the water on our earth is recycled and can be used again and again. Trees are largely responsible for the quality of the air we breathe. But these ecosystems are very sensitive and can easily be disturbed by human influences. The disappearance of a species, for example, can have far-reaching effects on entire food chains. That is why it is so important to preserve biodiversity - both for us humans and for all other living creatures on our planet.

Ecosystems are being destroyed by humans

The Earth and all its unique ecosystems are in danger - from humans. More and more land is being used for agriculture and settlement construction, with the result that the natural habitats of animals and plants are becoming smaller and smaller or are being destroyed altogether. The construction of roads or hydroelectric power plants dissects landscapes.




The resulting fragmented ecosystems have to be reconnected through costly measures. Intensive land use destroys ecosystems and leads to species loss - which in turn increases the risk of future pandemics. According to a 2019 report by the World Biodiversity Council (IPBES), 75 per cent of the ice-free land surface already bears clear traces of human activity and 85 per cent of the world's wetlands have already disappeared. Oceans have also suffered greatly from human impacts such as overfishing, pollution and destructive coastal use.

The biodiversity of our planet is dwindling more and more drastically due to human impact. Picture

Intact ecosystems are important for human health 

A long-term study by WWF confirms that almost 70 percent of the world's wildlife has been destroyed by humans over the past 50 years. The main causes of the sharp decline in population sizes of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians are the destruction of forests and the spread of agriculture. According to WWF, the destruction of ecosystems also increases the likelihood of global pandemics caused by, for example, Covid-19, which highlights a close link between human health and the planet. Domesticated animals, such as livestock, have shared the greatest number of viruses with humans, according to some studies. Zoonoses (a collective term for infectious diseases) transmitted by these animals are eight times more common than in wild mammal species.

The main reasons for the loss of biodiversity

The huge areas covered with one and the same plant or animal species are called monocultures. These include maize, oil palms, sugar cane, soy, wheat or spruce. Factory farming also leaves little room for biodiversity. Numerous species are already decimated or extinct due to overfishing of the oceans, overexploitation of medicinal plants and tropical woods, and ruthless hunting of wild animals. Vast amounts of waste and sewage from households and industry, the high use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture, and toxic exhaust fumes from traffic and factories continue to destroy animal and plant habitats. Highways and railway tracks are dangerous obstacles for wildlife.




In addition, dams and hydroelectric power plants block the way for fish to reach their spawning grounds; water bodies are canalised; wetlands are drained; forest and meadow areas are converted into urban concrete deserts.

The oceans swallow huge amounts of CO2, helping to mitigate climate change. Through their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and transport it to the depths, they ensure that we humans can breathe. Picture

CO2-Ausstoß in die Atmosphäre verringern

Wenn wir die Erderwärmung auf 1,5 Grad Celsius begrenzen wollen, müssen wir nicht nur künftig weniger CO₂ produzieren, sondern auch gleichzeitig damit beginnen, CO₂ aus der Atmosphäre zu entfernen. Ein Weg hierfür ist zum Beispiel die Verhinderung der Abholzung von Wäldern oder die Wiedervernässung von Mooren. Um aber CO2 effektiv aus der Atmosphäre zu entfernen (Carbon Dioxide Removal), gibt es im Bereich des natürlichen Klimaschutzes verschiedene Lösungsansätze, die man unter dem Oberbegriff naturbasierte Negativemissionen subsumieren kann. Dazu gehört das Aufforsten von Wäldern, der Humusaufbau in Ackerböden oder das Anpflanzen von Seegraswiesen in Küstenregionen. 

Reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere

Adopt a coral

Scientists estimate that coral reefs are home to more than 25 % of all marine species. Corals are also the basis for the formation of other ecosystems. Have you ever wondered what you can actually do to help the ocean ecosystem?



With Coral Guardian, you can adopt a coral for yourself or a loved one and help restore the coral reef ecosystem! You will receive your adoption certificate and your coral will be transplanted to the restoration area near Hatamin Island in near Indonesia. 40,000 corals have already been transplanted thanks to this initiative, so that the village of Seraya Besar with 750 inhabitants can continue to live from fishing.

You will receive a photo, the name you gave your coral as well as the GPS location and a picture of the staff member who will plant it for you. Picture

Planting trees with search requests

We must continue to work for the conservation of biodiversity and develop initiatives and agri-environmental measures. In addition, the economic and legal situation must not be neglected and must be improved. Become active and support climate-friendly solutions. Here you can find climate solutions to protect our environment that other climate actors are already working on.


Watch this video to learn more about biodiversity.

Further sources and information on biodiversity can be found here: 

• Eurostat Bodiversity
• Living Planet Report 2020
• BAFU Negative Emissions