News article
Organisations mark International Day for Biological Diversity
Yesterday (May 22) was the International Day for Biological Diversity, and a number of organisations across the sporting industry and further afield marked the occasion with new research and technology launches.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed that more than half of all mangrove (a group of trees that mostly grow in coastal saline or brackish water) ecosystems were at risk of collapse by 2050, as found by the first global assessment for the IUCN’s Red List of Ecosystems.
This is the first time an ecosystem group has been assessed entirely across the planet using the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems – a global standard for measuring the health of ecosystems.
Ecosystems can be classed as either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. According to the assessment, nearly 20% of the assessed mangroves are at high risk, classed as either endangered or critically endangered.
Mangroves are threatened by deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction, with the risk to these ecosystems increasing due to a rise in sea levels and the increased frequency of severe storms associated with climate change.
“IUCN’s Red List of Ecosystems is key to tracking progress towards the goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.
“The first global assessment of mangrove ecosystems gives key guidance that highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation of mangroves – crucial habitats for millions in vulnerable communities worldwide. The assessment’s findings will help us work together to restore the mangrove forests that we have lost and protect the ones we still have.”
The study classified the world’s mangrove ecosystems across 36 different regions, with the work led by the IUCN and aided by more than 250 experts in 44 countries from institutions such as the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, IUCN Species Survival Commission, and Global Mangrove Alliance.
Elsewhere, sustainability consultancy BloomUp marked the International Day of Biodiversity with the launch of the Biodiversity Compass module, the latest addition to its Data Compass. The Data Compass helps organisations to turn data into action insights and make responsible decisions.
The new tool will also offer actionable insights for assessing environmental impacts and guiding businesses on sustainable decisions.