Purpose and Scope of the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

The Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is a landmark scientific document that provides a comprehensive analysis of the state of Earth's biodiversity over the past 50 years. Compiled under the aegis of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the report serves as an indispensable resource for shaping global biodiversity policies.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the report is to furnish policymakers, scientists, and lay readers with a detailed understanding of the adverse effects of human activities on global biodiversity. It is analogous to the reports produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), such as the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, as it aims to establish a scientific foundation for informed decision-making.

The report's findings indicate that human activities have resulted in a rate of decline in biodiversity that is unprecedented in human history. It estimates that up to one million species face the threat of extinction, including 40% of amphibians, a third of reef-building corals, over a third of marine mammals, and 10% of all insects.

Scope

The scope of the report is both broad and deep, encompassing a variety of ecosystems, including terrestrial, marine, and freshwater systems. It evaluates the decline in biodiversity due to various factors like land development, rising land prices, and habitat destruction. These factors contribute to the irreversible loss of ecosystem services—the essential benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean air, water purification, and pollination.

The report also discusses the impact of the Anthropocene—a proposed new geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems—on biodiversity. It highlights invasive species and climate change as critical factors exacerbating biodiversity loss.

Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

The Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is an extensive evaluation conducted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Released in 2019, it serves as a critical document assessing the state of the planet's biodiversity and the ecosystem services that support life on Earth.

Purpose and Scope

The report was designed to address the declining trends in global biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are vital for sustaining life. It builds upon previous assessments, including the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, providing a comprehensive analysis of the interactions between human activities and natural systems.

Key Findings

Biodiversity Loss: The assessment highlights that human activity is causing unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss, with about 1 million species at risk of extinction. This decline in global biodiversity presents a threat not only to the natural world but also to human societies that rely on these ecosystems.
Ecosystem Services: Ecosystem services, which include pollination, clean water, and air purification, are deteriorating due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and invasive species.
Impact on Human Life: The degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services has profound impacts on human life, affecting food security, health, and economic development. The report emphasizes the need for transformative changes in how societies interact with nature.

Policy Implications

The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of the report was approved at the IPBES-7 meeting in Paris, France, in May 2019. It provides a strategic framework for policymakers to address the challenges identified in the report. Emphasizing the importance of integrating biodiversity considerations into all sectors of policy and decision-making, the report calls for immediate action to reverse the trends of biodiversity loss.

Contributors

The report was edited by renowned experts in the field, including E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, and H. T. Ngo. These contributions reflect the collaborative effort of scientists and policymakers to synthesize knowledge and provide a robust foundation for action.