The World is Losing Its Biodiversity
Regarding the world's loss of biodiversity in the last 60 years, TÜBA addressed the issue from a multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspective in its book “Biyoçeşitlilik, Tarım ve Gıda”.
The work edited by TÜBA Full members Prof. Mehmet Emin Aydın and Prof. Kazim Şahin, along with Prof. Sezai Ercişli, a member of the TÜBA Environmental, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Working Group, examines numerous vital topics in detail, such as the impact of climate change on agricultural biodiversity, improper water use, irresponsible fertilizer application, incorrect pesticide use, aquatic product production and fish biodiversity, traditional/local seeds, and methods for preserving biodiversity in agricultural products with GMOs. At the same time, it offers solutions and strategies to guide decision-makers, scientists, and researchers.
In his speech on the subject, TÜBA President Prof. Muzaffer Şeker said that the importance of biodiversity is of great importance especially in terms of living life and its future, and that the great loss caused by the unconscious activities of mankind has gained more momentum with the increase in invasive species, habitat losses, global warming caused by overuse and pollution.
Türkiye is located in the Mediterranean basin, where the world's most biodiversity loss is experienced.
“Global biodiversity loss faces many threats, including the use of agricultural land for tourism or settlement, land use change such as changes in land structure due to drought and the disappearance of lakes, habitat loss and fragmentation, overuse of natural resources, pollution, increase in invasive non-native species, and climate change. Biodiversity loss includes the worldwide disappearance of different species, as well as the localized decline of species in a given habitat. Türkiye's location in the Mediterranean basin, which has the highest biodiversity loss worldwide, makes it highly vulnerable to biodiversity loss. Climate change due to global warming poses a major threat to global biodiversity. Some studies indicate that habitat destruction due to the expansion of agriculture, as well as over-exploitation of wildlife, are the main drivers of biodiversity loss, with climate change among the most important drivers of biodiversity loss.”
Also referring to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the COP15 in Canada, President Şeker informed that the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework includes global targets aimed at protecting and improving nature for future generations and promoting green investments, and stated that it is aimed to restore 30 percent of degraded ecosystems in land and marine life globally by 2030.