12
affect the geographical distribution of plankton and fish, for example, a change in
the flowering time of phytoplankton in spring will put additional strain on fish
stocks and related economic activities.
Information on the effects of climate change on soil and the various associated
feedback effects is very limited, while changes in soil biophysical character are
probably due to projected rising temperatures, variability in intensity and frequency
of precipitation, and more severe flooding. Such changes can lead to a reduction in
soil organic carbon reserves and a significant increase in CO 2 emissions. Projected
increased variations in pattern and intensity rainfall are possible and make soils
more susceptible to erosion. The corresponding risks are largely dependent on
human behavior and the quality of health services. Furthermore, the outbreak of a
number of vector-borne diseases, as well as water-related diseases, may become
more frequent with rising temperatures and frequent extreme events.
1.2.2 Biodiversity Loss: Degradation of the Natural Capital
“Biodiversity” includes all living organisms found in the atmosphere, on land, and
in water. All species play a role and make up the “material of life” on which we
depend: from the smallest bacterium in the soil to the largest mammal in the ocean.
The four basic constituent blocks of biodiversity are rows, species, habitats, and
ecosystems (Mishra and Dhar 2004). Therefore, the preservation of biodiversity is
fundamental to human well-being and the sustainable provision of natural resources.
Furthermore, biodiversity is tight intertwined with other environmental issues, such
as climate change adaptation or human health protection. Biodiversity is strongly
influenced by human activities, including agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as well
as urbanization (Dukes and Mooney 1999). Huge areas of land are being cultivated
globally, most forests are being exploited, and natural areas are increasingly being
fragmented with urban areas and infrastructure construction. The marine environment is also severely endangered, not only by unsustainable fishing but also by
other activities, such as oil and gas extraction into the sea, sand and gravel mining,
transport, and wind farms at sea.
Utilization of natural resources usually leads to disruption and change in the
diversity of species and habitats. In this context, the extensive agricultural practices,
as in the traditional agricultural areas of Europe, contribute to a greater diversity at
the regional level, compared to what would be expected in strictly natural systems
(Dukes and Mooney 1999). But over-exploitation can lead to the degradation of
natural ecosystems and eventually the extinction of species. Examples of such
recurrent environmental effects are the decline of commercial fish stocks due to
overfishing, reduced pollination due to intensive agriculture and reduced water
retention, and increased flood risks due to plateau destruction (Dukes and Mooney
1999; Forman and Alexander 1998).
Land conversion leads to loss of biodiversity and degradation of soil functions.
In general, urban areas have expanded further at the expense of all other land cover
B. Balabanova
affect the geographical distribution of plankton and fish, for example, a change in
the flowering time of phytoplankton in spring will put additional strain on fish
stocks and related economic activities.
Information on the effects of climate change on soil and the various associated
feedback effects is very limited, while changes in soil biophysical character are
probably due to projected rising temperatures, variability in intensity and frequency
of precipitation, and more severe flooding. Such changes can lead to a reduction in
soil organic carbon reserves and a significant increase in CO 2 emissions. Projected
increased variations in pattern and intensity rainfall are possible and make soils
more susceptible to erosion. The corresponding risks are largely dependent on
human behavior and the quality of health services. Furthermore, the outbreak of a
number of vector-borne diseases, as well as water-related diseases, may become
more frequent with rising temperatures and frequent extreme events.
1.2.2 Biodiversity Loss: Degradation of the Natural Capital
“Biodiversity” includes all living organisms found in the atmosphere, on land, and
in water. All species play a role and make up the “material of life” on which we
depend: from the smallest bacterium in the soil to the largest mammal in the ocean.
The four basic constituent blocks of biodiversity are rows, species, habitats, and
ecosystems (Mishra and Dhar 2004). Therefore, the preservation of biodiversity is
fundamental to human well-being and the sustainable provision of natural resources.
Furthermore, biodiversity is tight intertwined with other environmental issues, such
as climate change adaptation or human health protection. Biodiversity is strongly
influenced by human activities, including agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as well
as urbanization (Dukes and Mooney 1999). Huge areas of land are being cultivated
globally, most forests are being exploited, and natural areas are increasingly being
fragmented with urban areas and infrastructure construction. The marine environment is also severely endangered, not only by unsustainable fishing but also by
other activities, such as oil and gas extraction into the sea, sand and gravel mining,
transport, and wind farms at sea.
Utilization of natural resources usually leads to disruption and change in the
diversity of species and habitats. In this context, the extensive agricultural practices,
as in the traditional agricultural areas of Europe, contribute to a greater diversity at
the regional level, compared to what would be expected in strictly natural systems
(Dukes and Mooney 1999). But over-exploitation can lead to the degradation of
natural ecosystems and eventually the extinction of species. Examples of such
recurrent environmental effects are the decline of commercial fish stocks due to
overfishing, reduced pollination due to intensive agriculture and reduced water
retention, and increased flood risks due to plateau destruction (Dukes and Mooney
1999; Forman and Alexander 1998).
Land conversion leads to loss of biodiversity and degradation of soil functions.
In general, urban areas have expanded further at the expense of all other land cover
B. Balabanova