Article Of The Day/3 March 2010

From Statistics Explained

Biodiversity statistics

Biodiversity – a contraction of biological diversity – encompasses the number, variety and variability of living organisms, including mankind. Preventing a loss of biodiversity is important for mankind, given that humans depend on the natural richness of the planet for the food, energy, raw materials, clean air and clean water that make life possible and drive economies and societies. As such, a reduction or loss of biodiversity may not only undermine the natural environment but also economic and social goals. The challenges associated with preserving biodiversity have made this topic an international issue. This article examines two indicators for biodiversity in the European Union (EU) – namely, information on protected areas and bird populations.

Main statistical findings

Habitats

Areas protected for the preservation of biodiversity are proposed by the Member States under the EU's Habitats Directive; they are indicated as a percentage of the total area of each country. About 14 % of the EU-27’s territory was proposed for protection under the Habitats Directive as of 2010. Additional areas were proposed for protection under the Birds Directive. Since there is some overlap between the two types of protected areas, the joint area for both Directives is estimated to amount to approximately 18 % of the EU-27's total terrestrial area. Figures for the Member States show that areas protected under the Habitats Directive range between 31 % of the total terrestrial area of Slovenia and 30 % of that in Bulgaria to less than 10 % in France, the Netherlands, Denmark or the United Kingdom. In general, these protected areas adequately cover the biogeographical regions present in the Member States, with an EU-27 average of 89 % of sufficiently covered species and habitats in 2010; using this measure, only Cyprus reported less than 50 % sufficiency – see Figure 1. More...