iconic species (Figure 1.4). It also contributes to a rise in invasive species (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity [CBD] 2014). Alien species that become invasive are considered to be the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss across the globe (CBD 2019). Changes in land use and a changing climate can also lead to animal migrations, again resulting in more invasive species. These examples show that environmental pressures often overlap and interact with one another, creating reactions that further damage biodiversity (UNEP 2019a).
The biodiversity remaining on our planet is therefore of immeasurable value; it is on loan from the young and future generations. Any changes we make now, and in the near future, to conserve biodiversity will have tremendous effects.
“Globally, statistics show that forest loss has slowed, due largely to net increases due to reforestation and plantations (Song et al. 2018). However, hiding behind the statistics, there lies some detail – these plantations, if not well managed, do not provide the same range of ecosystem services as natural forests and are often more vulnerable to extreme climatic events...”
