Some Massive Biodiversity Loss May be Able to be Reversed

There's some good news for conservation efforts. Scientists have discovered that some biodiversity losses can actually be reversed.

Humans have continually used land for agricultural production, damaging local ecosystems worldwide. In fact, researchers found that by 2005, land-use change had caused a decrease of 14 percent in the average number of species found in local ecosystems, compared to the pre-industrial area. Most of the loss, in fact, came in the last 100 years.

"As our understanding of the human impact on ecosystems and the escalating loss of species grows, so must our willingness to change course," said Achim Steiner, one of the researchers, in a news release. "The adoption of robust policy frameworks that support the emergence of effective carbon markets and land-use practices of the preservation of natural habitats are but one example of the opportunities we must seize."

A global network of contributors has submitted data from every continent, providing the most complete picture yet of the effects of land-use by humans. The researchers assessed changes in biodiversity from 1500 until the present day.

"The worst-case scenario we have mapped would have a severe impact on most regions of the planet," said Tim Newbold, lead author of the new study. "Our models predict that rapid agricultural expansion, particularly in poorer countries, will cause rapid further losses of biodiversity. However, other scenarios give a much more positive outcome for biodiversity, especially for poorer countries."

While some projects are grim, it's possible that some of this biodiversity loss can be reversed. However, steps need to be taken to do so.

The findings are published in the journal Nature.

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