25 years of the Swiss Biodiversity Forum
The Swiss Biodiversity Forum has been a scientific competence center for biodiversity research for 25 years. It fosters dialog and cooperation between science and administration, politics, business and society in Switzerland. 25 years is a good reason to look back and look to the future.
Where does Switzerland stand in terms of protecting biodiversity? In Switzerland and worldwide, biodiversity is declining significantly. The populations of many species continue to shrink, although some are also increasing. Human activities are causing ten to a hundred times more species to become extinct than would be expected naturally, possibly even a thousand times more. Globally, more than 44,000 species, or 28% of assessed species, are threatened. Habitats are becoming more monotonous as a result: common species are increasing, rare species are continuing to decline. In Switzerland, 35% of the assessed species are endangered or already extinct, 12% are potentially endangered. Conservation measures are required for almost half of the 10,844 species assessed. The situation for habitats is also worrying: 48% of the 167 habitat types assessed are endangered, 13% are potentially endangered.
More on this in the Q & A of the Biodiversity Forum
Example of insect diversity | The situation of insects in Switzerland is worrying. The diversity and size of insect populations has declined sharply, particularly on the Central Plateau - a trend that can now also be observed in the Jura and the Alps. Of the 1153 insect species currently assessed in the Red Lists, almost 60 % are endangered or potentially endangered. If the sometimes dramatic developments are to be halted and insect diversity in Switzerland preserved in the long term, as demanded by politicians, the existing instruments for the conservation and promotion of endangered habitats and species must be adapted and supplemented. To this end, the authors propose a scientifically sound 12-point program.
Read more in the fact sheet with the 12-point program “Insect Diversity in Switzerland”
Visions | For the HOTSPOT magazine, the Biodiversity Forum asked 12 scientists to present their visions for a biodiverse future. Visions from the world of science are particularly exciting, as researchers are constantly confronted with the unknown. Their visions encourage creative thinking and innovative action, often with far-reaching implications for society. They create a shared understanding and purpose that can lead the way and unite people.
More about the visions in HOTSPOT magazine
