Nature isn’t a ‘nice to have’– it’s essential. We need it for the air we breathe and the food we eat, and our economies and our health depend on it. [...]. Only if we all act together, then we can stop the dramatic biodiversity loss that affects all of us.
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See also
Towards implementing workflows for essential biodiversity variables at a European scale; Maria Lumbierres et al; Global Ecology and Conservation; October 2025; Volume 62; e03699
Biodiversity is declining, prompting new multilateral treaties and environmental legislation. To track the progress of these efforts, a comprehensive monitoring network is essential. For the European Union (EU), the EuropaBON network has proposed a biodiversity observation network (BON) based on 84 Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs).
Improving biodiversity in Central and Eastern European gardens needs regionally scaled strategies; Zsófia Varga-Szilay et al.; Urban Forestry & Urban Greening; November 2025; Volume 113; 129074
Amid ongoing urbanisation, gardens are expected to play an increasing role in enhancing urban biodiversity by supplementing green areas and improving landscape connectivity. Biodiversity-friendly gardens also improve human well-being and foster connections between nature and people.
Introducing the progress monitoring tools of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030; Martina Marei Viti et al.; Ecological Indicators; July 2024; Volume 164; 112147
The European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (EU BDS) represents a pivotal step forward in the commitment to protect and restore biodiversity, not only within Europe but also at a global scale. In order to reinforce its implementation, an innovative biodiversity knowledge governance has been established. It includes, among other measures, a progress monitoring system that fosters transparency and can inform corrective action to be taken when progress is being reviewed.
Alien plant species distribution in Romania: a nationwide survey following the implementation of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species; Paulina Anastasiu; Biodiversity Data Journal; 2024; Volume 12
Biological invasions pose an increasing risk to nature, social security and the economy, being ranked amongst the top five threats to biodiversity. Managing alien and invasive species is a priority for the European Union, as outlined in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
What if Europe restored its primary forests?; At a glance; Jurgita Lekaviciute, Oona Lagercrantz; European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS); July 2025
Initiatives to restore European primary forests and thereby reverse centuries of decline are gaining traction. Such restoration could deliver significant ecological, environmental, climate-related and socio-cultural benefits, ranging from biodiversity conservation, water regulation and climate mitigation, to ecotourism and renewed human relationships with nature. However, a number of challenges and trade-offs need to be addressed, including the lack of primary forest mapping, concerns over human exclusion and potential economic losses.
Outcomes of the COP16 biodiversity conference; At a glance; Vivienne Halleux; European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS); November 2024
During its November session, Parliament will discuss the results achieved at the 16th meeting of the parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the main international instrument on biodiversity protection. The conference was held in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 2 November 2024.
Biodiversity, land use and forestry; Fact Sheets on the European Union; Alyssia Petit; Georgios Amanatidis; April 2024
The EU has played an important role at international level in seeking solutions to biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate change. The 1992 UN Conference on the Environment and Development marked a major step forward with the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change notes the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. As part of the European Green Deal, the Commission proposed a new biodiversity strategy that aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030. It includes a nature restoration law to restore damaged ecosystems and bring nature back across Europe..
EU nature restoration regulation: Setting binding targets for healthy ecosystems; Briefing; Vivienne Halleux; European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS); February 2024
As announced in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, on 22 June 2022 the European Commission tabled a proposal for a nature restoration regulation. The proposed regulation would set multiple binding restoration targets and obligations across a broad range of ecosystems, from forests and agricultural land to urban areas, rivers and marine habitats, complementing other existing legal instruments. Altogether, these nature restoration measures should cover at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. Member States would be required to develop nature restoration plans to reach these targets at national level..
The Biodiversity Information System for Europe (BISE), a partnership between the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, centralises information about Europe's biodiversity in one location:
Country profiles - biodiversity policies - Green Infrastructure - challenges to biodiversity
Wiederherstellung von Natur in oder in der Nähe von Natura 2000 Gebieten mit künstlich veränderten Standortverhältnissen; Stefan Möckel; Natur und Recht; 2025; Volume 47; pages 441–450
Die in zwei Aufsätze aufgeteilte Untersuchung geht der Frage nach, wie sich die europa- und verfassungsrechtlichen Verpflichtungen zur Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen und biologischer Vielfalt sowie zum natürlichen Klimaschutz mit den europarechtlichen Schutzvorschriften für Natura 2000 Gebieten vereinbaren lassen.
Mit Hochdurchsatzsequenzierung das Biodiversitätsmonitoring ausbauen; Dominik Buchner, Florian Leese; BIOspektrum; 2025; Volume 31, pages 66–69
Der Verlust von Biodiversität ist eine zentrale Herausforderung unserer Zeit. Um ihr zu begegnen, bedarf es umfangreicher Biodiversitätsdaten. Tatsächlich wird aber bislang nur ein kleiner Teil der Arten und Ökosysteme systematisch erfasst.
Ist ökologischer oder konventioneller Landbau besser für die Biodiversität?; Rainer Maurer; Wirtschaftsdienst; 2022; Band 102; S. 303–309
Ökologischer und konventioneller Landbau wirken sich unterschiedlich auf die Biodiversität aus. Zwei gegenläufige Effekte sind dabei zu berücksichtigen: Die höhere Biodiversität auf den Flächen des ökologischen Landbaus und der geringere Flächenverbrauch des konventionellen Landbaus.
Biodiversité sur les terres agricoles : Brochure des projets; European Commission; juillet 2025
Le rapport 2020 de l’UE sur l‘état de la nature a montré que la biodiversité diminue à un rythme alarmant, l‘agriculture étant le principal moteur de ce déclin. D’autre part, la perte de biodiversité a un impact considérable sur l‘agriculture. La promotion de pratiques agricoles durables donnant la priorité à la conservation de la biodiversité peut contribuer à atténuer ces effets négatifs, tout en renforçant la résilience et la productivité à long terme des systèmes agricoles.
Die neue EU-Biodiversitätsstrategie: Chancen und Grenzen; Interview; Öko-Institut e.V.; Mai 2022
Wie steht es um die Biodiversität in Europa? Welche Ziele verfolgt die EU-Biodiversitätsstrategie 2030? Über diese Fragen haben wir mit Stefan Leiner von der Generaldirektion Umwelt der EU-Kommission gesprochen.
Die Ökonomie der Biodiversität: Kann Buchhaltung zur Rettung der Natur beitragen?; Interview; Europäische Umweltagentur; 17. Mai 2022
Ist die Umrechnung der Natur in Geldwerte ein Beitrag zu ihrem Schutz oder brauchen wir neue Governance-Modelle? Wie hängt der Handel mit dem Verlust an Biodiversität und Ungleichheiten zusammen?
Rewilding European Landscapes; Henrique M. Pereira, Laetitia M. Navarro (editors); 2015
Sustainable Forest Management; John L. Innes, Anna V. Tikina; 2017
Farming, Food and Nature; Joyce D'Silva, Carol McKenna (editors); 2018
Biodiversität und Erdgeschichte; Jens Boenigk, Sabina Wodniok; 2014
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