Faktencheck Artenvielfalt - Assessment of the status of biodiversity and prospects for conservation in Germany

Abstract

The state of nature is deteriorating worldwide - and with it its vital contributions for us humans. This is what the global assessment of the World Biodiversity Council IPBES found. Is there a biodiversity crisis here in Germany, too? And if so, what are the reasons and what can we do about it? These questions are explored by 150 authors from 75 institutions and organisations in the "Faktencheck Artenvielfalt". Biodiversity is also declining on our doorstep. Important habitats are disappearing, formerly common species are becoming rare, many ecosystems are becoming impoverished and subject to rapid change. The driving forces behind this - cleared landscapes, intensive land use, inputs of contaminants, climate change - are caused by us humans. But there is also good news: Being the main cause, we have the power to reverse this trend ourselves. The "Faktencheck Artenvielfalt" shows encouraging examples and analyses what works in practice and, more importantly, under what conditions we are willing to act for biodiversity. A societal transformation towards an economy with and not against biodiversity is necessary - and possible.