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Biodiversity: what is it and why can’t people live without it?

Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth, from plants and animals to micro-organisms. Biodiversity is crucial for the wellbeing of our planet, as well as for our food supply, the economy, our health, and for nature and the environment. Over the past 100 years, biodiversity has declined dramatically, especially in the Netherlands. Climate change, pollution, and deforestation are among the greatest threats. By focusing on sustainable agriculture, environmentally conscious living, nature conservation, and creating more nature- on land and at sea- we can try to restore biodiversity.

Biodiversity in brief

  1. Biodiversity includes all species of plants, animals, micro-organisms, and their genetic variations.
  2. Preserving biodiversity is crucial for food supply, health, the economy, and ecology.
  3. Since 1970, biodiversity has decreased worldwide by an average of 73%.
  4. Solutions: restoring, improving, maintaining, connecting, and expanding nature and natural areas.
  5. International, European, national, and local cooperation is necessary.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity encompasses all the different forms of life on Earth and the systems they live in. All these species interact within so-called “ecosystems.” In this way, they ensure the balance of nature. From rainforests to oceans, every environment contributes to biodiversity. The more diverse the biodiversity of an area, the better it can withstand diseases, pests, and even climate change. Every species plays its own role in an ecosystem, no matter how small that role is. If species disappear from the ecosystem, the entire system can collapse like a house of cards.

Preserving this diversity of plant and animal species is essential for maintaining healthy natural systems, which in turn are indispensable for human life on Earth.

Februari Zeearend Luc Hoogenstein

What is biodiversity?

Food supply

Biodiversity is important for our food supply. Two thirds of our food comes from just nine crops, making our food supply very vulnerable. Animals help preserve our food; think of wild bees and flies pollinating fruit trees, parasitic wasps controlling crop-eating insects, and starlings eating grubs. Rice and wheat - which make up a large part of the world's food - depend on biodiversity for pollination and growth.

Health

Many medicines are derived from plants and animals. According to the World Health Organization, at least 80% of medicines in developing countries are based on natural ingredients. Plants and fungi help us find new treatments, as in the development of cancer therapies from the yew tree and antibiotics from fungi.

Economic importance of biodiversity

Agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and tourism depend on rich biodiversity. Without healthy, functioning ecosystems, many economic activities would be at risk. For example, coral reefs, which provide jobs to millions through fisheries and tourism, are threatened by overfishing, warming seas, and pollution. Losing coral reefs also strips away natural coastal protection, leaving coastlines vulnerable to the sea.

Social and cultural importance

People are more productive and feel better in green environments. Green spaces in urban areas improve quality of life, enhance wellbeing, and help with climate adaptation. A tree-lined street can be over 10 degrees cooler than a fully paved one. Conservation also supports cultural and recreational activities, like nature walks, educational programs, and community events. These bring people together, foster a sense of community, and strengthen bonds with nature. The stronger this connection, the more people tend to take care of nature, even unconsciously.

The World Wildlife Fund describes it as follows: “Biodiversity affects us every day: our food, our mental health, climate change, half of the world’s economy... In short, protecting biodiversity means protecting ourselves.

Since 1970, biodiversity has declined by 73%

In the past century, biodiversity has declined dramatically. Since 1970, the numbers of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals have declined worldwide by an average of 73%.

Biodiversity in the Netherlands: declining even faster

Decline in biodiversity has been even faster and more severe in the Netherlands than in the rest of Europe. Of the country’s original biodiversity, only about 15% remains, measured in terms of quality, quantity, and variety of nature. This is largely caused by intensive agriculture, urbanization, and industrial pollution. We are now at a critical point where many plant and animal species are literally threatened with extinction. Once these species are gone, they cannot return, with huge consequences for people and nature. For instance, the population of European eel - which used to be common in the Netherlands - has declined by 90% since the 1970s. Another example is the sharp decline in wild bees, which directly affects our food supply because bees are vital for pollinating many crops.
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The greatest threats to biodiversity

From climate change and deforestation to overpopulation and intensive agriculture, these are the main threats to biodiversity:



Climate change

Changes in temperature and weather patterns affect habitats for people, plants, and animals. Melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels threaten coastal areas and reduce or eliminate the habitats of many species. As these habitats disappear, so do the species that live there. We also see the effects in our own region; species once found only in southern Europe are now more common in the Netherlands, while previously common species are disappearing.

Deforestation

(Legal or illegal) logging for agriculture and urban expansion destroys habitats and has huge effects on biodiversity. The Amazon rainforest, once known as the “lungs of the Earth,” loses millions of hectares annually to deforestation. As a direct result, the forest now emits more CO2 than it absorbs, and many species are on the brink of extinction. Oxygen production is decreasing. In Europe, the situation is the opposite: forest area has increased by 10% over the last 30 years.

Pollution

Chemicals and waste pollute the environment and kill wildlife. Plastic pollution in the oceans is a major threat to marine life. Pesticides and herbicides are harmful or lethal to pollinators like bees and butterflies. Their effects extend up the food chain; birds eating these insects can accumulate toxins, leading to failed eggs or even death.
Don’t forget the nitrogen crisis. Nitrogen deposition makes the soil too nutrient-rich, limiting the survival of many plant species, and thus also the animals that depend on them. Nitrogen also decreases lime in the soil, which can be disastrous for birds: eggs break more often due to weak shells - a direct result of nitrogen excess.

Intensive agriculture threatens biodiversity

Large-scale production of a few crops and the use of pesticides and fertilizers mean very few species can survive in intensively farmed areas. Much of this land is virtually worthless for wildlife, as the soil becomes depleted or lifeless. Healthy soil is the foundation; without it, fungi and plants cannot grow, and there is no habitat for insects and other invertebrates, which are food for birds. When added to the negative impact of pesticides, it is clear that reforming agriculture is essential to restore biodiversity in farmland.

Overpopulation and land use

More people means more land use and less space for nature. Urbanization leads to the loss of green spaces and fragmentation of habitats so that natural areas are no longer connected.
Solving fragmentation is crucial. If a species disappears from one area, individuals from a nearby area can fill the gap - if there is a connection. Otherwise, a hole forms in the ecosystem.

Armed conflicts

Wars and conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, destroy habitats and disrupt biodiversity.

How can we protect and restore biodiversity?

The solution to restoring our biodiversity boils down to this: more nature and more biodiversity.

Let nature return in areas with low biodiversity

We should ensure that areas once rich in biodiversity regain more nature, such as intensively farmed areas where biodiversity is so low that the area has little value for wildlife.
The most important thing is to enlarge and connect natural areas, creating robust nature that can take a hit. This applies on international, European, and local levels.

International: convention on biodiversity and SDGs

Participating in global initiatives like the Convention on Biological Diversity helps countries work together for conservation. Initiatives such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are also vital for the world’s ecosystems.

European: Natura 2000 areas

Natura 2000 areas are the jewels of European nature, designated to protect the most threatened species and habitats. Through strict rules and protective measures, countries try to halt the decline of biodiversity. This benefits not just Natura 2000 areas, but also the surrounding landscapes. For example, purple herons in the Natura 2000 Naardermeer area near Amsterdam feed in nearby ditches, so the quality of those ditches must support sufficient fish (especially mudfish).

National: sustainable agriculture slows biodiversity decline

Developing sustainable agricultural methods is essential. Approaches like organic agriculture and agroecology reduce negative impacts on biodiversity and can even enhance nature on farmland.

Strong growth of urban nature initiatives

Cities are seeing a surge in projects to boost urban biodiversity. Residents are becoming more enthusiastic, inspired, and motivated to help nature - this is the foundation for nature protection. An example is Buurtnatuur030, the network for green neighborhood initiatives in Utrecht, which provides a digital platform for everyone who cares about urban greenery.

Restoring biodiversity on land and at sea

Restoring biodiversity at sea is as important as on land. Some examples:

Biodiversity examples

One example of restoring biodiversity on land is the construction of Ecowende, the most ecological offshore wind farm in the Netherlands to date - its design prioritizes ecology and biodiversity restoration. Eneco wants to contribute to protecting and enhancing marine biodiversity, while also accelerating large-scale offshore wind production.

Collaboration with Staatsbosbeheer

Another example is the Bosruitertocht Wind Farm in Flevoland, where Staatsbosbeheer and Eneco collaborate on designing and managing green spaces. In Schiedam, Eneco is helping create a sustainable plan for urban greenery and is developing a heat network in the Groenoord district.
Kleine mantelmeeuw Luc Hoogenstein

Restoring and increasing biodiversity is important for Eneco

Many plant and animal species are declining in the Netherlands and much of Europe. Nature is one large living system; it provides clean air, space, freshwater, and everything required for food production. The tremendous diversity of species - biodiversity - is crucial for this system, which changes as the number of species and nature areas shrinks, as is happening now.



Biodiversity is essential, also for Eneco

Biodiversity is vital for people and nature, which is why it’s one of Eneco’s strategic pillars. Eneco is often active outdoors in places where biodiversity is low, such as intensively managed grasslands and fields. In all activities, the focus is on restoring and increasing biodiversity.

From 2025: 10% more biodiversity for new investments

From 2025, Eneco wants all new investments in sustainable energy sources on land to result in at least 10% more biodiversity than is currently present in the area. This means assessing current biodiversity for each project, determining how it can be improved, and checking if the set nature goals are achieved.

Monitoring biodiversity: for example, counting butterfly and bee species

Nature at these locations will be monitored - for example, by counting characteristic species of butterflies or bees in a specific type of species-rich grassland. Based on these results, management of the land will be adjusted to help restore that beautiful grassland and the animals that once lived there.

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