Ensure urgent management actions to halt human induced extinction of known threatened species and for the recovery and conservation of species, in particular threatened species, to significantly reduce extinction risk, as well as to maintain and restore the genetic diversity within and between populations of native, wild and domesticated species to maintain their adaptive potential, including through in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable management practices, and effectively manage human-wildlife interactions to minimise human-wildlife conflict for coexistence.
Introduction
Today, species are becoming extinct at a rate between ten and one hundred thousand times faster than historically, with an estimated one million species threatened with extinction due to human impact. Human exploitation of ecosystems includes land use changes, overharvesting, resource extraction, the spread of harmful invasive species, pollution, and climate change. Effective coexistence between humans and living organisms requires less negative impact on other species populations, including their genetic variation, and enables species to adapt to climate change and other environmental changes.
According to UNEP et al., our global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss, with agriculture alone being the identified threat to 24,000 of the 28,000 (86%) species at risk of extinction. GlobaI dietary patterns need to move towards more plant-heavy diets, mainly due to the disproportionate impact of animal agriculture on biodiversity, land use and the environment. Direct exploitation through fishing, hunting and trapping, is the second largest threat to biodiversity. Measures to reduce the negative impact of direct exploitation on the status of wild and domesticated species should be implemented. Efforts should also be directed towards finding solutions that facilitate coexistence with wild animals.
Together with legislation regulating species management, an overarching strategy and the precautionary principle can improve the status of threatened species. The goal of halting species extinction requires collaboration from sector authorities, area management, commercial ventures, non-commercial activities, infrastructure development, forestry, hunting, and agriculture.
Policy Proposals for National Implementation
Adopt national legislation requiring the halt and reverse of biodiversity loss.
Establish legally binding environmental quality standards for species and ecosystems to limit the managing administration’s authority to permit land-use changes that could degrade environmental quality, creating an effective tool to provide stronger legal protection for biodiversity that is particularly vulnerable to land-use changes.
Develop a national strategy on human-wildlife to improve coexistence between humans and wild animals, aiming to avoid and/or reduce conflict.
Establish clear, binding guidelines across all sectors and management levels regulating activities and interventions that affect red-listed species. These guidelines should also apply to near threatened species to prevent them from becoming threatened.
Implement measures to improve the status of threatened species in red list assessments by 2030, including large predators, and ensure that necessary resources are allocated to achieve this.
Develop specific recovery plans for threatened species and populations in fisheries management.
Phase out subsidies aimed at reduction of threatened wild animal species native to the ecosystem.
Promote non-lethal management when there are conflicts between wild species and humans and increase acceptance of and tolerance for wild animals.
While respecting the rights of Indigenous People, tighten national regulation of hunting.