1.3.3 Current State of Land and Biodiversity Systems
Land use change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss are increasing at alarming rates both locally and globally. Land and the various forms of life it supports are critical for our survival. They are also embedded in our cultures and identities, with profound spiritual and physical connections for many young people and their families. The way that land and biodiversity work together (which is one way to describe ecosystem services) defines what nature can contribute to people.
Land use change
As the global population continues to grow, human activities are increasingly affecting nature’s ability to provide food, fibre, timber, fodder and other vital natural resources. Human demands and consumption patterns, which continuously increase our environmental footprint, are the greatest threat to the health of the planet (Weinzetell, Vačkář and Medková
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Soil erosion in Tanzania: fertile soil is being lost around the world at the alarming rate of 24 billion tons per year. Photo source: Carey Marks.
