MODULE 4

BIODIVERSITY
GROUP 2
 BIODIVERSITY

a. Overview of Biodiversity
TOPICS: b. Measuring Biodiversity
c. Importance of Biodiversity
d. Factors in Biodiversity
e. Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes
f. SDG 14 &15
a. Overview of
Biodiversity
 Overview of biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of

living organisms on Earth, including
the diversity of species, genetic
diversity within species, and the
diversity of ecosystems and biomes.
It encompasses all forms of life, from
the smallest microbes to the largest
animals and plants
 Overview of biodiversity

Biodiversity is a measure of variation and richness of living organisms at a

particular scale. In this lesson, we are going to learn some of the important
roles that biodiversity plays in human systems. This begins by explaining
what biodiversity is, what causes biodiversity, and why we care about it.
You’ll also learn about biomes — like deserts, oceans, and grasslands — and
why they’re both important and fun to study. All of these concepts relates to
human activity which is causing extensive and alarming biodiversity loss and
habitat destruction with many species going extinct.

To protect and conserve biodiversity are therefore essential to ensuring the

continued survival and well-being of all life on Earth. However, biodiversity is
currently facing significant threats, including habitat loss, climate change,
pollution, overfishing, and invasive species.
 Overview of biodiversity

The Variety of Life Imagine walking through a forest ecosystem like the one
shown in Figure 4.1. Trees, shrubs, and small plants are everywhere. You
see and hear squirrels, birds, and insects. You might notice a snake or
mushrooms. Hundreds of species live in this forest. Now, imagine walking
through a wheat field. You see only a few species—wheat plants, insects,
and weeds. The forest contains more species than the wheat field does. The
forest has a higher biological diversity, or biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to
the variety of life in an ecosystem.
Overview of biodiversity
 Overview of biodiversity

Biodiversity Is a Crucial Part of the Earth’s Natural Capital

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of the earth’s

species, the genes they contain, the ecosystems in which they
live, and the ecosystem processes such as energy flow and
nutrient cycling that sustain all life. Biodiversity is a vital
renewable resource. So far, scientists have identified about 1.8
million of the earth’s 4 million to 100 million species, and every
year, thousands of new species are identified. The identified
species include almost a million species of insects, 270,000
plant species, and 45,000 vertebrate animal species
 Overview of biodiversity

Species diversity is the most obvious, but not the

only, component of biodiversity. Another important
component is genetic diversity. The earth’s
variety of species contains an even greater variety
of genes. Genetic diversity enables life on the
earth to adapt to and survive dramatic
environmental changes. In other words, genetic
diversity is vital to the sustainability of life on earth.
 Overview of biodiversity

Ecosystem diversity—the earth’s variety of deserts,

grasslands, forests, mountains, oceans, lakes, rivers,
and wetlands is another major component of
biodiversity. Each of these ecosystems is a storehouse
of genetic and species diversity. Yet another important
component of biodiversity is functional diversity—the
variety of processes such as matter cycling and energy
flow taking place within ecosystems (as species interact
with one another in food chains and webs. Part of the
importance of an organism its role in supporting these
processes within its ecosystems, which help to maintain
other species of animals and plants that live there.
b. Measuring
Biodiversity
 Measuring Biodiversity

The common measure of biodiversity is the number of

species that live in an area.

For example, a coral reef can be home to thousands of

species including corals, fish, algae, sponges, crabs,
and worms. A coral reef has greater biodiversity than
the shallow waters live in dark, deep-sea waters.
Although the number of organisms living there is likely
to be less11 than the number of organisms on a coral
reef, we know that the species biodiversity of deep-sea
waters is as great as that of a coral reef.
Measuring Biodiversity
Measuring Biodiversity
 Measuring Biodiversity

Differences in Biodiversity

Biodiversity tends to increase as you move toward

the equator because temperatures tend to be
warmer. For example, Costa Rica is a Central
American country about the size of West Virginia.
Yet it is home to as many bird species as there are in
the United States and Canada combined. Figure 4.2
compares mammal biodiversity in three
North American countries. Ecosystems with the
highest biodiversity usually have warm, moist
climates. In fact, tropical regions contain two-thirds
of all of Earth’s land species.
c. Importance of
Biodiversity
Importance of Biodiversity
Why is biodiversity important?
Importance of Biodiversity
Why is biodiversity important?

Biodiversity is essential for the processes that

support all life on Earth, including humans. Without a
wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms,
we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely
on to provide us with the air we breath and food we
eat. And people also value nature of itself.
Importance of Biodiversity
Humans Need Biodiversity
Eating a variety of foods is a good way to stay healthy. Hundreds of
species help feed the human population all around the world. Biodiversity
can help improve food crops

Biodiversity provides people with many useful materials. Furniture and

buildings are made from wood and bamboo. Fibers from cotton, flax, and
wool are woven into clothing. Most of the medicines used today originally
came from wild plants.
Importance of Biodiversity

1. Source of Food, Fodder and Fuel

Importance of Biodiversity

2. Sources of Medicine
Importance of Biodiversity

3. Pollution Management
Importance of Biodiversity

4. Control on soil erosion

Importance of Biodiversity

5. Soil quality improvement

Importance of Biodiversity

6. Forming a Healthy Ecosystem

Importance of Biodiversity

7. Protection of Resources
Importance of Biodiversity

8. Nutrients Recycling
Importance of Biodiversity

9. Source of Recreation
Importance of Biodiversity

10. Important for cultural development

Importance of Biodiversity

11. Water Recycling

Importance of Biodiversity

12. Economic Growth

Importance of Biodiversity
Importance of Biodiversity
d. Factors in
Biodiversity
Factors in Biodiversity
What reduces biodiversity?
EXTINCTION
Extinct species is a species that was once present on
Earth but has died out. Extinction is a normal part of
nature. The fossil record shows that many species have
become extinct since life appeared on Earth.
Extinctions can be caused by competition from other
species or by changes in the environment.
An extinction event is a widespread and rapid decrease
in the biodiversity on Earth.
Mass extinction
Mass extinctions eventually are followed by
the appearance of new species that take
advantage of the suddenly empty
environment. After the dinosaurs disappeared,
many new species of mammals appeared on
Earth.. It might have been caused by a huge
meteorite that crashed into Earth’s surface.
Perhaps the impact filled the atmosphere with
dust and ash that blocked sunlight from
reaching Earth’s surface.
Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Endemic species

Species that are found in only one area.

Example: Is the brilliantly colored golden
toad once found only in a small area of lush
cloud rain forests in Costa Rica’s
mountainous region.
Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Loss species

It is estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, of

tropical species became extinct during the same
20-year period. Human activities probably
contributed to most of these extinctions. As the
human population grows, many more species
could be lost.
Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Endangered species

To help prevent extinctions, it is important to

identify species that could soon disappear. A
species in danger of becoming extinct is
classified as an endangered species

Example: Is the Rhinoceroses

Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Threatened Species

If a species is likely to become endangered

in the near future, it is classified as a
threatened species.

Example: Is the Australian Koala

Factors in Biodiversity
What reduces biodiversity?
Habitat Loss
The reduction in the amount of space where a particular
species, or group of species can survive and reproduce.
Habitat loss is a major reason why species become
threatened or endangered. Lawns and sidewalks have a
lower biodiversity than sunlit woods or weed-covered lots.
When people alter an ecosystem, perhaps by replacing a
forest or meadow with pavement or a lawn, the habitats of
some species may become smaller or disappear completely.
If the habitats of many species are lost, biodiversity might be
reduced.
Divided Habitats
Biodiversity can be reduced when a habitat is
divided by roads, cities, or farms. Small
patches of habitat usually have less
biodiversity than large areas.
If their habitat becomes divided, they are
forced to move elsewhere. Small habitat areas
also make it difficult for species to recover
from a disaster.
Factors in Biodiversity
What reduces biodiversity?
Introduced Species
When species from another part of the world are introduced
into an ecosystem, they can have a dramatic effect on
biodiversity. An introduced species is a species that moves
into an ecosystem as a result of human actions. Introduced
species often have no competitors or predators in the new
area, so their populations grow rapidly. Introduced species
can crowd out or consume native species. Native species
are the original organisms in an ecosystem.
Pollution
Biodiversity also is affected by pollution of
land, water, or air. Soil that is
contaminated with oil, chemicals, or other
pollutants can harm plants or limit plant
growth. Because plants provide valuable
habitat for many species, any reduction in
plant growth can limit biodiversity.
Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Water Pollution

Water dwelling organisms are easily harmed

by pesticides, chemicals, oil, and other
pollutants that contaminate the water. Water
pollutants often come from factories, ships,
or runoff from roads, lawns, and farms.
Waterways also can be polluted when
people dispose of wastes improperly.
Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Air Pollution

A form of water pollution known as acid rain

is caused by air pollution. Acid rain forms
when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
released by industries and automobiles
combine with water vapor in the air.
 Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Global warming

Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is released into the

atmosphere when wood, coal, gas, or any other fuel
is burned. People burn large amounts of fuel, and
this is contributing to an increase in the percentage
of CO2 in the atmosphere. An increase in CO2 could
raise Earth’s average temperature by a few degrees.
This average temperature rise, called global
warming, might lead to climatic changes that could
affect biodiversity.
 Factors in Biodiversity

What reduces biodiversity?

Ozone depletion

The atmosphere includes the ozone layer—ozone gas that

is about 15 km to 30 km above Earth’s surface. It protects
life on Earth by preventing damaging amounts of the sun’s
ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching Earth’s surface.
Scientists have discovered that the ozone layer is gradually
becoming thinner. The thinning of the ozone layer is called
ozone depletion. This depletion allows increased amounts
of UV radiation that can harm living organisms to reach
Earth’s surface. For humans, it could mean more cases of
skin cancer. Ozone depletion occurs over much of Earth.
e. Terrestrial and
Aquatic Biomes
 Terrestrial

BIOMES-are large regions of the world with similar climate,

vegetation, and wildlife, such as forests, deserts, or grasslands
 Terrestrial

TERRESTRIAL BIOMES –are large-scale environments that are

distinguished by temperature and precipitation, and the types of plants and
animals that live in them.
 Terrestrial

FACTORS THAT AFFECT BIOMES- Climate is the average weather pattern in an

area over a long period of time. The two most important climatic factors that affect life
in an area are temperature and precipitation

TUNDRA
Tundra is a word meaning “barren land” in Finnish. It can refer to either the freezing
tundras of Polar regions or more generally any area with little vegetation and often
extensive ice caps such as Canada’s Northwest Territories.
 Terrestrial

TUNDRA LIFE -Tundra plants are adapted to drought and cold. They include
mosses, grasses, and small shrubs.

TAIGA - The forests of the taiga might be so dense that little sunlight penetrates
the trees to reach the forest floor. However, some lichens and mosses do grow
on the forest floor. Moose, lynx, shrews, bears, and foxes are some of the
animals that live in the taiga.
 Terrestrial

TEMPERATE DECIDOUS FOREST-Temperate regions usually have four distinct seasons each
year. Annual precipitation ranges from about 75 cm to 150 cm and is distributed throughout the
year. Temperatures range from below freezing during the winter to 30°C or more during the
warmest days of summer.
 Terrestrial
TEMPERATE FOREST LIFE
Many evergreen trees grow in the temperate regions of the world. However, most of the temperate
forests in Europe and North America are dominated by climax communities of deciduous trees, which
lose their leaves every autumn. White-tailed deer are one of many species that you can find in a
deciduous forest. In autumn, the leaves on deciduous trees change color and fall to the ground.

TEMPERATE RAIN FOREST LIFE

The average temperature of a temperate rain forest
ranges from 9°C to 12°C. Precipitation ranges from 200
cm to 400 cm per year. Trees with needlelike leaves
dominate these forests, including the Douglas fir, western
red cedar, and spruce. Many grow to great heights.
Animals of the temperate rain forest include the black
bear, cougar, bobcat, northern spotted owl, and marbled
murrelet. Many species of amphibians also inhabit the
temperate rain forest, including salamanders
 Terrestrial

TROPICAL RAIN FOREST

Warm temperatures, wet weather, and lush plant growth are
found in tropical rain forests. These forests are warm
because they are near the equator. The average
temperature, about 25°C, doesn’t vary much between night
and day. Most tropical rain forests receive at least 200 cm of
rain annually. Some receive as much as 600 cm of rain each
year

Although tropical rain forests support a huge variety of

organisms, the soil of the rain forest contains few nutrients.
Over the years, nutrients have been washed out of the soil
by rain. On the forest floor, decomposers immediately break
down organic matter, making nutrients available to the plants
again.
 Terrestrial
HUMAN IMPACT
Farmers that live in tropical areas clear the land to farm and to sell the valuable wood.
After a few years, the crops use up the nutrients in the soil, and the farmers must clear
more land. As a result, tropical rain forest habitats are being destroyed.

DESSERT
The driest biome on Earth is the desert. Deserts receive less than 25 cm of rain each
year and support little plant life. Some desert areas receive no rain for years.
DESSERT LIFE
Desert plants are adapted for survival in conditions of the
desert biome. The giant hairy the extreme dryness and hot
and cold scorpion found in some deserts has a venomous
sting. temperatures of this biome. Most desert plants are
able to store water. Cactus plants are probably the most
familiar desert plants of the western hemisphere. Desert
animals also have adaptations that help them survive the
extreme conditions. Some, like the kangaroo rat, never need
to drink water.
 Terrestrial

GRASSLAND
Temperate and tropical regions that receive between
25 cm and 75 cm of precipitation each year and are
dominated by climax communities of grasses are
called grasslands. Most grasslands have a dry season,
when little or no rain falls

GRASSLAND LIFE
communities of animals such as wildebeests, impalas,
and zebras thrive in the savannas. Grasslands are
perfect for growing many crops such as wheat, rye,
oats, barley, and corn. Grasslands also are used to
raise cattle and sheep. However, overgrazing can
result in the death of grasses and the loss of valuable
topsoil from erosion.
Aquatic Biomes

The Aquatic Biome

Aquatic biomes can be generally classified based on the

amount of salt in the water. Water is the common link among
the aquatic biomes and they make up the largest part of the
biosphere, covering nearly 75% of the Earth’s surface.
Aquatic regions house numerous species of plants and
animals, both large and small. In fact, this is where life
began billions of years ago when amino acids first started to
come together. Without water, most life forms would be
unable to sustain themselves and the Earth would be a
barren, desert-like place. Although water temperatures can
vary widely, aquatic areas tend to be more humid and the air
temperature on the cooler side. The aquatic biome can be
broken down into two basic regions, freshwater (i.e., ponds
and rivers) and marine (i.e., oceans and estuaries).
Aquatic Biomes
Freshwater Regions

Freshwater is defined as having a low salt

concentration—usually less than 1%. They
include standing and running freshwater
biomes. Standing freshwater biomes include
ponds and lakes. Lakes are generally bigger
and deeper than ponds. Some of the water in
lakes is in the aphotic zone where there is
too little sunlight for photosynthesis. Plankton
and plants (such as the duckweed in Figure
below) are the primary producers in standing
freshwater biomes. Ponds and Lakes
 Aquatic Biomes
These regions range in size from just a few
square meters to thousands of square
kilometers. Many ponds are seasonal, lasting
just a couple of months (such as sessile
pools) while lakes may exist for hundreds of
year or more. Ponds and lakes may have
limited species diversity since they are often
isolated from one another and from other
water sources like rivers and oceans. Lakes
and ponds are divided into three different
“zones” which are usually determined by
depth and distance from the shoreline.
Temperature varies in ponds and lakes
seasonally. During the summer, the
temperature can range from 4° C near the
bottom to 22° C at the top. During the
winter, the temperature at the bottom can
be 4° C while the top is 0° C (ice). In
between the two layers, there is a narrow
zone called the thermocline where the
temperature of the water changes rapidly.
 Aquatic Biomes
Streams and Rivers

These are bodies of flowing water moving in one direction. Streams

and rivers can be found everywhere—they get their starts at
headwaters, which may be springs, snowmelt or even lakes, and then
travel all the way to their mouths, usually another water channel or the
ocean. The characteristics of a river or stream change during the
journey from the source to the mouth. At the start there are cool
temperatures, clear water, and high oxygen levels. Freshwater fish
such as trout and heterotrophs can be found there. Towards the middle
of the stream diversity increases—numerous aquatic green plants and
algae can be found. Toward the mouth of the river/stream, the water
becomes murky from all the sediments that it has picked up upstream.
Less light creates less diversity of flora, and because of the lower
oxygen levels, fish that require less oxygen, such as catfish and carp,
can be found.
 Aquatic Biomes

Wetlands

A wetland is an area that is saturated with water or covered by water

for at least one season of the year. The water may be freshwater or
saltwater. Wetlands are extremely important biomes for several
reasons:

● They store excess water from floods.

● They slow down runoff and help prevent erosion.
● They remove excess nutrients from runoff before it empties into
rivers or lakes.
● They provide a unique habitat that certain communities of plants
need to survive.
● They provide a safe, lush habitat for many species of animals, so
they have high biodiversity.
 Aquatic Biomes

Marine Regions

Marine regions cover about three-fourths of the Earth’s surface

and include oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. Marine algae
supply much of the world’s oxygen supply and take in a huge
amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The evaporation of the
seawater provides rainwater for the land. Oceans The largest of
all the ecosystems, oceans are very large bodies of water that
dominate the Earth’s surface. Like ponds and lakes, the ocean
regions are separated into separate zones: intertidal, pelagic,
abyssal, and benthic. All four zones have a great diversity of
species. Some say that the ocean contains the richest diversity
of species even though it contains fewer species than there are
on land.
 Aquatic Biomes
The intertidal zone is where the ocean meets the land—sometimes it is submerged and at other
times exposed, as waves and tides come in and out. Because of this, the communities are
constantly changing.

The pelagic zone includes those waters further from the land, basically the open ocean. The
pelagic zone is generally cold though it is hard to give a general temperature range since, just
like ponds and lakes, there is a constant mixing of warm and cold water. Species include surface
seaweeds, many species of fish and some mammals, such as whales and dolphins. Many feed
on the abundant plankton.

The benthic zone is the area below the pelagic zone, but does not include the very deepest
parts of the ocean. The bottom of the zone consists of sand, slit, and/or dead organisms. Here
temperature decreases as depth increases toward the abyssal zone, since light cannot penetrate
through the deeper water. Species include seaweed, bacteria, fungi, sponges, sea anemones,
worms, sea stars, and fishes. The deep ocean is the abyssal zone. The water in this region is
very cold (around 3° C), highly pressured, high in oxygen content, but low in nutritional content.
The abyssal zone supports many species of invertebrates and fishes. Hydrothermal vents at mid-
ocean ridges can also be found here.
 Aquatic Biomes
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are widely distributed in warm shallow
waters. They can be found as barriers along
continents (e.g., the Great Barrier Reef off
Australia), fringing islands, and atolls. Naturally,
the dominant organisms in coral reefs are corals.
Corals are interesting since they consist of both
algae and tissues of animal polyp. Besides corals,
the fauna include several species of
microorganisms, invertebrates, fishes, sea
urchins, octopuses, and sea stars.
Estuaries
Estuaries are areas where freshwater
streams or rivers merge with the ocean. This
mixing of waters with such different salt
concentrations creates a very interesting and
unique ecosystem. Micro-flora like algae, and
macro-flora, such as seaweeds, marsh
grasses, and mangrove trees (only in the
tropics), can be found here. Estuaries support
a diverse fauna, including a variety of worms,
oysters, crabs, and waterfowl.
f. SDG 14 and 15
GOAL 14: LIFE
BELOW WATER
The aquatic biome is the largest of
all the biomes, covering about 75
percent of Earth’s surface. This
biome is usually divided into two
categories. These are the marine
and freshwater biomes.
What is the goal of life
below water
- The goal of life below
water is to "Conserve
and sustainably use
the oceans, seas and
marine resources for
sustainable
development".
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

Marine Biomes
Is the biggest biome in the
world. It covers about 70% of
the earth. It includes five main
oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic,
Indian, Arctic, and Southern, as
well as many smaller Gulfs and
Bays. Marine regions are
usually very salty!
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

Freshwater Biomes
Include ponds, lakes, streams,
and rivers, and are a vital source
of drinking water. Ponds and
lakes are natural bodies of
standing water. Ponds are
smaller and may be seasonal,
whereas lakes are larger and
more permanent.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER
Healthy oceans, seas, ponds,
lakes, and others are essential to
our existence. They cover 75
percent of our planet and we rely
on them for food, energy and
water. Yet, we have managed to
do tremendous damage to these
precious resources. We must
protect them by eliminating
pollution and overfishing and
immediately start to responsibly
manage and protect all marine
life around the world.
CONSERVE AND SUSTAINABLY USE
THE OCEANS, SEAS AND MARINE
RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT.
Healthy oceans and seas are essential
to our existence. They cover 75 percent
of our planet and we rely on them for
food, energy and water. Yet, we have
managed to do tremendous damage to
these precious resources. We must
protect them by eliminating pollution and
overfishing and immediately start to
responsibly manage and protect all
marine life around the world.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

TARGET 14.1

The Targets
REDUCE MARINE POLLUTION

We can use these ten By 2025, prevent and significantly

targets to create action to reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in
conserve and sustainably particular from land-based activities,
use the oceans. including marine debris and nutrient
pollution.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER
TARGET 14.2 TARGET 14.3

PROTECT AND RESTORE REDUCE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

ECOSYSTEMS
Minimize and address the impacts
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect of ocean acidification, including
marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid through enhanced scientific
significant adverse impacts, including by cooperation at all levels.
strengthening their resilience, and take
action for their restoration in order to
achieve healthy and productive oceans.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER
TARGET 14.4
SUSTAINABLE FISHING
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting
and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing and destructive fishing
practices and implement science-based
management plans, in order to restore fish
stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least
to levels that can produce maximum
sustainable yield as determined by their
biological characteristics.
TARGET 14.5
CONSERVE COASTAL AND
MARINE AREAS
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per
cent of coastal and marine areas,
consistent with national and
international law and based on the
best available scientific information.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

TARGET 14.6

END SUBSIDIES CONTRIBUTING TO

OVERFISHING

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies

which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing,
eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal,
unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from
introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that
appropriate and effective special and differential
treatment for developing and least developed
countries should be an integral part of the World
Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

TARGET 14.7 TARGET 14.8

INCREASE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS INCREASE SCIENTIFIC

FROM SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE
RESOURCES
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to
small island developing States and least
developed countries from the sustainable use
of marine resources, including through
sustainable management of fisheries,
aquaculture and tourism.
KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH AND
TECHNOLOGY FOR OCEAN
HEALTH
Increase scientific knowledge,
develop research capacity in order
to find ways in maintaining the
healthiness of our oceans.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

Target 14.10
Target 14.9
IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE
SUPPORT SMALL SCALE FISHERS INTERNATIONAL SEA LAW

Provide access for small-scale artisanal Enhance the conservation and

fishers to marine resources and sustainable use of oceans and their
markets. resources by implementing
international law.
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND
Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) 15 – ‘Life on land’, which is
to protect, restore and promote
sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably manage
forests, combat desertification, and
halt and reverse land degradation
and halt biodiversity loss. The SDG
15 deals with three main aspects:
managing forests, preserving
biodiversity, and combating
desertification.
Land is a fundamental resource for
dignified human living, primarily for
safer dwelling in this era. It is required
for developing a number of socio-
economic sectors too, such as
agriculture, forestry, irrigation,
plantation, and industries, apart from
the need for other large-scale physical
infrastructures such as highways and
powerplants.
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND
SDG 15 sets out nine key targets and three
additional targets (15.a, 15.b, and 15.c) for
resource mobilisation and policy to be achieved
by 2030. The 12 key targets are:

15.1 By 2020, ensure the

conservation, restoration and
sustainable use of terrestrial and
inland freshwater ecosystems and
their services, in particular forests,
wetlands, mountains and drylands, in
line with obligations under
international agreements
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.2 By 2020, promote the

implementation of sustainable
management of all types of
forests, halt deforestation, restore
degraded forests and substantially
increase afforestation and
reforestation globally
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.3 By 2030, combat

desertification, restore degraded
land and soil, including land
affected by desertification, drought
and floods, and strive to achieve a
land degradation-neutral world
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.4 By 2030, ensure the

conservation of mountain
ecosystems, including their
biodiversity, in order to enhance
their capacity to provide benefits
that are essential for sustainable
development
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.5 Take urgent and significant

action to reduce the degradation
of natural habitats, halt the loss of
biodiversity and, by 2020, protect
and prevent the extinction of
threatened species
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.6 Promote fair and equitable

sharing of the benefits arising
from the utilization of genetic
resources and promote
appropriate access to such
resources, as internationally
agreed
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.7 Take urgent action to end

poaching and trafficking of
protected species of flora and
fauna and address both demand
and supply of illegal wildlife
products
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.8 By 2020, introduce measures

to prevent the introduction and
significantly reduce the impact of
invasive alien species on land and
water ecosystems and control or
eradicate the priority species
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.A Mobilize and significantly

increase financial resources from
all sources to conserve and
sustainably use biodiversity and
ecosystems
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.B Mobilize significant

resources from all sources and at
all levels to finance sustainable
forest management and provide
adequate incentives to developing
countries to advance such
management, including for
conservation and reforestation
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.C Enhance global support for

efforts to combat poaching and
trafficking of protected species,
including by increasing the
capacity of local communities to
pursue sustainable livelihood
opportunities
 GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND
END: Urgent action must be
taken to reduce the loss of
natural habitats and biodiversity
which are part of our common
heritage and support global food
and water security, climate
change mitigation and
adaptation, and peace and
security.
Thank You