PREDICTS

Biodiversity is fundamental to human life on Earth, but we are losing it at an unparalleled rate due to deforestation, hunting, overfishing, invasive species, pollution, and climate change.

The decline in animal and plant species is not only an environmental issue but also a developmental, economic, ethical and moral issue. We need to understand and monitor biodiversity loss in our endeavour to reverse global damage to life on Earth.

We analyse ecological studies from around the world to understand how human activities - especially those related to land use change and intensification - are changing biodiversity.

To show how biodiversity is changing, we have developed a Biodiversity Indicator called the Biodiversity Intactness Index. The index shows an estimated percentage of the original number of species that remain and their abundance in any given area.

Biodiversity indicators are a crucial measure which scientists and policymakers can use to keep track of biodiversity loss. These tools help to ensure the success of policies and practices designed to conserve and restore biodiversity.