New EU report on understanding the causes of biodiversity loss and the policy assessment framework

Recently a report on understanding the causes of biodiversity loss and the policy assessment framework was published by the European Commission DG Environment. According to the report biodiversity continues to decrease at unprecedented rates as human development and expansion result in the fragmentation and loss of habitat for flora and fauna.

The main pressures and drivers of biodiversity loss identified by this study include direct causes such as: land use change and conversion of habitat to other land uses, pollution, unsustainable natural resources use, climate change and invasive alien species and indirect causes such as: failures in governance, appropriate decision making and institutional functioning, economic and market failures, lack of adequate knowledge and understanding of the processes in ecosystems which conserve biodiversity and provide ecosystem services.

Interestingly enough, the report addresses the issue of biodiversity loss beyond the EU through case studies on coastal, marine and forest ecosystems at different places of the world.

To read the full text report click here