4.4 Environmental Indicators, Biodiversity Conservation
Strategies, and Regulations
It can be assumed that humans have always observed their natural surrounding and
assessed environmental signals (environmental indicators) for survival and
wellbeing. What is the importance of environmental indicators in relation to biodiversity and ecosystem function? How expressive are different indicators? How may
an environmental indicator help to find solutions for the use and management of
ecosystems and the survival of species? What are current concepts, strategies and
measures to protect species diversity and ecosystems? How effective are these with
respect to observation, indication, control, legislation, efficacy and investment?
The simplest environmental indicators display single aspects, such as temperature
or sea level. Others are more complex and combine different factors, e.g. to describe
the overall sustainability of a country, or the so-called ecological footprint of a
person. Even if the model is complex, the message can be concentrated e.g. in a
symbol such as a red, yellow or green traffic light for action. However, in the case of
combined indicators, it is impossible to reason back to the contribution of single
components.
Some indicators, e.g. the World Happiness Index, have slight links to the environment, while focusing mainly on social experiences and human well-being. Others
are more directly linked to changes in the environment—such as the Living Planet
Index or the Red Lists of threatened species. The Red List of European Habitats and
the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species focus on the changing quality and quantity
of ecosystems and threats to biodiversity.
It is impossible to protect all species on Earth in an equal manner, or to leave the
environment as it is now. Based on the assumption that there is a global consensus
for protecting all species diversity on Earth, different ideas and opportunities have
been discussed, developed and applied.
The No Species Loss Strategy, the Biodiversity Hotspot Strategy and Ecological
Triage are examples of concepts integrating more than a single strategy or measure.
Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and Biodiversity Offset Programmes
(BOPs) are recent schemes linking political measures with payments for the restoration of environmental conditions and biodiversity. With respect to the number of
annual publications, and the amount of money invested, these measures seem to be
of increasing interest. However, the programmes are often used to enable and to
support the development and construction of buildings, infrastructure or industry.
Thus, the value of such investments for the environment and biodiversity is currently
rather ambiguous, and may often be interpreted as ‘greenwashing’ investments.
National Parks and other types of protected areas, Zero Human Influence Strategies and wilderness, restoration measures, eradication of invasive species, activities against hunting and trade of rare and threatened species, captive breeding and
release into the wilderness and de-extinction initiatives comprise multiple concrete
measures and treatments which are currently used, developed, and enhanced to
protect biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Land Use Change and the Future of Biodiversity
467
Strategies, and Regulations
It can be assumed that humans have always observed their natural surrounding and
assessed environmental signals (environmental indicators) for survival and
wellbeing. What is the importance of environmental indicators in relation to biodiversity and ecosystem function? How expressive are different indicators? How may
an environmental indicator help to find solutions for the use and management of
ecosystems and the survival of species? What are current concepts, strategies and
measures to protect species diversity and ecosystems? How effective are these with
respect to observation, indication, control, legislation, efficacy and investment?
The simplest environmental indicators display single aspects, such as temperature
or sea level. Others are more complex and combine different factors, e.g. to describe
the overall sustainability of a country, or the so-called ecological footprint of a
person. Even if the model is complex, the message can be concentrated e.g. in a
symbol such as a red, yellow or green traffic light for action. However, in the case of
combined indicators, it is impossible to reason back to the contribution of single
components.
Some indicators, e.g. the World Happiness Index, have slight links to the environment, while focusing mainly on social experiences and human well-being. Others
are more directly linked to changes in the environment—such as the Living Planet
Index or the Red Lists of threatened species. The Red List of European Habitats and
the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species focus on the changing quality and quantity
of ecosystems and threats to biodiversity.
It is impossible to protect all species on Earth in an equal manner, or to leave the
environment as it is now. Based on the assumption that there is a global consensus
for protecting all species diversity on Earth, different ideas and opportunities have
been discussed, developed and applied.
The No Species Loss Strategy, the Biodiversity Hotspot Strategy and Ecological
Triage are examples of concepts integrating more than a single strategy or measure.
Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and Biodiversity Offset Programmes
(BOPs) are recent schemes linking political measures with payments for the restoration of environmental conditions and biodiversity. With respect to the number of
annual publications, and the amount of money invested, these measures seem to be
of increasing interest. However, the programmes are often used to enable and to
support the development and construction of buildings, infrastructure or industry.
Thus, the value of such investments for the environment and biodiversity is currently
rather ambiguous, and may often be interpreted as ‘greenwashing’ investments.
National Parks and other types of protected areas, Zero Human Influence Strategies and wilderness, restoration measures, eradication of invasive species, activities against hunting and trade of rare and threatened species, captive breeding and
release into the wilderness and de-extinction initiatives comprise multiple concrete
measures and treatments which are currently used, developed, and enhanced to
protect biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Land Use Change and the Future of Biodiversity
467