IPBES’s Invasive Alien Species Report came at a time when more than 1 million plants, animals and other living things were facing the risk of extinction, with invasive species blamed for supporting 60% of these extinctions and costing the global economy billions of dollars annually.
Nonetheless, the intruders are one of the multiple major drivers of nature and biodiversity loss. Here’s a closer look at the top causes of nature crisis identified by IPBES, an independent body aiming to help entities sustainably manage biodiversity.
1. Invasive Alien Species
IAS are plants, animals, fungi and microbes that have established themselves in an environment outside their natural habitat. They are known to have devastating impacts on native life, negatively affecting ecosystems and triggering the extinction of native species.
2. Climate Change
Global warming is already affecting scores of species and ecosystems, particularly the most vulnerable ones such as mountains, coral reefs and polar ecosystems. Such changes have been triggering devastating weather events of unprecedented intensity and frequency.
3. Pollution
It’s a major driver of biodiversity and ecosystem change with devastating direct effects on natural habitats. While the persistent usage of dangerous insecticides is harming plant and insect populations, air, soil and marine plastic pollution have also reached worryingly high levels.
4. Changes In Land And Sea Use
It’s believed to be the biggest driver of biodiversity loss. While agricultural expansion continues to fuel deforestation and forest biodiversity loss, harvesting minerals from the ocean floor and the construction of towns and cities also affect the natural environment.
Also Read: AU, UN, AfDB: $200M to Strengthen Africa’s Climate Response
5. Direct Exploitation Of Natural Resources
The unsustainable use of plants and animals isn’t just threatening the survival of millions of species worldwide. It’s also harming the livelihoods of billions of people who depend on wild species for a number of purposes, including food, fuel and income.
