Yesterday, the World Biodiversity Council IPBES published its first major report on the state of biodiversity. Dr Ute Jacob, who is responsible for networking research and nature conservation at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), is one of the lead authors and was present at the negotiations in Paris.
Dr Jacob, you contributed to the IPBES report. What is the state of biodiversity on Earth?
Healthy ecosystems and their biodiversity are ultimately essential for our survival. However, biodiversity is declining rapidly - at a rate unprecedented in human history.
What are the biggest threats to biodiversity globally?
The report has identified five main threats: The greatest role is played by the increasingly intensive use of land, coasts and the sea by humans. The second problem is that many biological resources are not being used sustainably. One example is the overfishing of the oceans, which is permanently changing many ecosystems. Other threats include climate change, pollution of land and sea and the immigration of invasive species.
You are co-author of a chapter on heavily utilised coastal zones. What is the situation there?
Many coastal ecosystems are particularly hard hit by species loss and environmental degradation: around half of the coral reefs have disappeared since 1870. The coasts are also being increasingly utilised. In Europe, for example, half of the population lives near the coast. More and more pollutants such as heavy metals and fertilisers are entering the coastal waters. As a result of over-fertilisation, there are over 400 dead zones worldwide, i.e. marine areas where there is hardly any oxygen left. In addition, the coastal zone is also being increasingly developed, for example with dykes, breakwaters and piers, marinas, jetties and sea bridges. However, the greatest threat to biodiversity is overfishing: industrial fishing now covers more than half of the ocean's surface. One third of fish stocks were overfished in 2015.
What significance does the IPBES report have in your view?
A very big one. For the first time, it provides an overview of the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services worldwide. 350 authors from over 50 countries were involved in this report. Over a period of three years, we have compiled the most important facts on the state of our terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The report describes how ecosystems could develop in the future and identifies options for action. The task now is to utilise this knowledge.
What specific expectations do you have of politicians, for example, following the publication of the report?
I hope that the IPBES report will be used as a basis for decision-making by those responsible in politics, business and society. Because with this report we have presented the facts. Now it's time to act.
How did you find the atmosphere in Paris?
I sensed a certain spirit of optimism. The state of our ecosystems is more than worrying, but with the Global Assessment we were also able to show that there is hope. For example, the risk of extinction for many animals has been reduced through the establishment of protected areas. Some critically endangered birds and mammals on islands have benefited from the control of invasive species. If we react quickly now, we may still be able to stop the extinction of species and the loss of ecosystem services.
Interview: Constanze Böttcher/Ute Kehse