What Biodiversity Really Means for Our Planet’s Future
“Without biological diversity, there is no other life on Earth – including our own” Dr. Thomas Lovejoy
Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth, from the plants, insects and animals we see to the microorganisms and bacteria we don’t see. Although the concept of biodiversity can be complex to grasp fully on a personal level, we all need to be aware of its importance in our lives.
We depend on biodiversity for food, clean water, healthy soil, and even the air we breathe. It helps protect us from the effects of climate change, reduces damage from natural disasters, and keeps nature in balance so we can live safely and comfortably.
Explore why biodiversity matters and why its protection is essential for a healthier, more sustainable future.
Why Biodiversity Matters
Biodiversity consists of three key components:
- Genetic diversity
- Species richness
- Ecosystem complexity.
All of these are connected and work together to support life on Earth.
Here is why biodiversity is so important:
Ecosystem Services
Grasslands, sand dunes, and rainforests are important ecosystems. Ecosystems are biological communities of organisms (different species) interacting with one another. These ecosystems provide direct and indirect benefits to people, known as ecosystem services. Some of the most important ecosystem services include pollination, water purification, and soil fertility, all of which are vital for agriculture and food production. Farmers help to maintain these important services by managing their land in ways that support biodiversity and sustain the natural processes that ecosystems provide.
More than 75% of global food crop types rely on animal pollination. Crop diversity helps keep soil healthy and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides by protecting against pests and diseases. In this way, biodiversity strengthens the resilience of agriculture and supports long-term food security. Any changes in the species composition within an ecosystem can impact ecosystem services, including the availability of clean water, food, air quality, and climate regulation.
According to the European Environment Agency, in many parts of Europe, the demand for ecosystem services now exceeds their capacity. The overuse of chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, and large-scale irrigation has degraded soil health, reduced biodiversity, and weakened overall ecosystem stability. The ongoing loss of genetic crop diversity poses a serious risk to food system resilience, while pollution continues to threaten the availability of clean water.
Economic Value
Protecting biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity, it also makes strong economic sense. Many industries, including agriculture, food production, and pharmaceuticals, rely on the genetic diversity and ecosystem services that biodiversity provides. In fact, the World Economic Forum states that more than half of the world’s economy relies on nature. Resilient farming systems rely on biodiversity. Biodiversity on farmland can help to reduce soil erosion, increase pollinator populations, and decrease crop pests, which in turn increase crop yields and income. In the European Union, the loss of productivity from soil erosion alone costs about €1.2 billion each year. Pollinators, such as bees, contribute over €15 billion a year to the value of crops in the EU.
If we don’t protect biodiversity, we risk lower food production, greater damage from natural disasters, and higher costs for resources.
Human Health
Biodiversity plays a vital role in protecting human health by helping to regulate disease and ensure food security. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 75% of emerging infectious diseases, like Ebola and Nipah virus, are zoonotic and often arise in areas where ecosystems and habitats have been disrupted by deforestation or land-use change. A healthy environment helps reduce these risks by acting as natural barriers to disease. Nature is also a source of healing. Over half of all modern medicines derive from natural compounds found in plants, fungi, and other organisms.
Biodiversity also supports the variety and nutrition of our food. Many important crops, like fruits, vegetables, coffee, and cocoa, depend on pollinators. As global food systems have expanded, crops that rely on pollinators have become major products traded worldwide. In many low-income countries, growing and exporting these pollinated crops provides essential income for local communities. At the same time, developed countries depend on importing these foods to meet their demands.
While it is true that up to 40% of insect species face risks of extinction, there is growing awareness and action to protect them. By supporting biodiversity and sustainable farming, we can help ensure healthy, varied diets and secure food supplies for the future
Climate Resilience
Ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and mangroves act as natural protective barriers, reducing the risk of floods and soil erosion. A diversity of plants helps the soil stay moist during droughts and absorbs carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the Earth’s temperature. As floods, droughts, and heatwaves become more frequent and intense in Europe and around the world, biodiversity stands out as a crucial part of long-term climate solutions.
That is why many European initiatives and policies, such as the EU Climate Law and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2023–2027, prioritise halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhancing ecosystem services, and preserving natural habitats and landscapes. Restoring wetlands and peatlands, protecting coastal areas, and managing forests, grasslands, and farmland through biodiversity-friendly practices can lower greenhouse gas emissions, boost carbon storage, and improve the resilience of ecosystems to climate change.
Farmland Biodiversity
Farmland biodiversity can reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides and fertiliser by supporting natural pest control and soil nutrient cycling. For example, plants like clover, which fix nitrogen naturally, are a great way to cut fertiliser costs without compromising soil health.
Since farming systems that lack biodiversity are more vulnerable to challenges such as drought, pests, and disease, maintaining a variety of habitats on farmland might help to improve crop yields, pasture quality, milk production, and livestock growth.
Maintaining a diverse range of plants, animals, and microorganisms on farmland provides multiple benefits for the farm and society:
- Improves soil productivity and fertility
- Provides high-quality feed for livestock and food for pollinators
- Helps manage excess water during floods
- Aids in water retention and release during dry periods
- Enhances resilience to pests, diseases, and extreme weather
- Supports adaptation to changing climate and agronomic conditions
How FarmBioNet Contributes to Protecting Biodiversity
Agricultural land, including forestry, occupies more than two-thirds of the total area of land in the EU. How this land is managed can play a significant role towards halting biodiversity loss. With biodiversity under serious threat, the widespread implementation of biodiversity-friendly farming practices is key to protecting biodiversity and the important services it provides.
FarmBioNet is a three-year Horizon Europe project funded by the EU with the aim of enhancing Biodiversity-Friendly Farming practices in Europe by stimulating knowledge exchange between farmers, foresters, researchers, advisors, and other key stakeholders.
Central to FarmBioNet is the creation of 12 national networks across Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. These networks involve farmers, foresters, researchers, NGOs, advisers, industry partners, and other concerned Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) actors, and will facilitate the exchange of both evidence-based and traditional measures that improve biodiversity on farms.
Conclusion
Biodiversity is essential for sustaining the natural processes that support both people and the environment. Protecting it is a shared responsibility that calls for collaboration and cooperation among farmers, researchers, policymakers, and many others. FarmBioNet is committed to building these connections and promoting biodiversity-friendly farming practices. Follow us on social media Linkedin, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and Bluesky to stay informed and see how we are contributing to this effort.