IPBES 9 Report

IPBES 9 Report

Subject: Environment 

Section: Conservation

Context: The global assessment stressed that the sustainable use of wild species needed constant negotiation, adaptive management and sustainable use in order to meet the needs of billions.

Content:

• The report stated that about 50,000 wild species globally can meet the needs of billions of people.But, more than 20% (over 10,000 species) are used for human food, making the sustainable use of wild species critical for achieving food security and improving nutrition, in rural and urban areas worldwide.
• The report identified Fisheries as a major source of food from wild species, with a total annual harvest of 90 million tons.
• However, Over exploitation is seen as the main threat to wild species in marine ecosystems and the second greatest threat to those in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. E.g., 34 per cent of marine wild fish stocks are overfished and 66 per cent are fished within biologically sustainable levels.
• It noted that indigenous people and local communities used local knowledge, practices and spirituality for the sustainable use of wild species. This in turn ensured the healthy populations of wild species. E.g., Wild rice– cultural keystone species for many indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region of North America.
• But, Loss of opportunity to engage in sustainable use of wild species represents an existential threat to indigenous communities.
• It also noted the drivers such as landscape and seascape changes, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species impact the abundance and distribution of wild species, and can increase stress and challenges among the human communities who use them.
• Further, the assessment shortlisted five categories of practices used for wild species — fishing, gathering, logging, terrestrial animal harvesting which includes hunting and non-extractive practices such as observing (E.g., nature-based tourism).
• Unintentional by catch of threatened and/or protected marine species, Trade in wild plants, algae and fungi for food, medicine, hygiene, energy, and ornamental use, Destructive logging practices and illegal logging, Large-bodied mammals for subsistence and commercial hunting and unsustainable impacts of the tourism industry can threaten the survival of species and shifts in distribution of species across multiple trophic levels and ecosystem functions.
• The report also presented concerns of effective regulations without which the unsustainable use and trade would increase, leading to population collapse. It also cited illegal use and illegal trade in wild species which is estimated to be about $199 billion (Rs 150,000,000 lakh).
• It further found that characteristics like integration of diverse value systems, Tenure arrangements that foster secure rights over land and resource use and trade, equitable distribution of costs and benefits, changes in cultural norms and social values, Education, communication and public awareness and effective institutions and governance systems would facilitate the sustainable use of wild species in future.

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem (IPBES)

• It is an intergovernmental organization established to improve the interface between science and policy on issues of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• It is often described as the “IPCC for biodiversity”.
• It was established by the United Nations, but functions independently.
• Formation: 2012.
• Headquarters: Bonn, Germany.
• Assessments: On specific themes (e.g. “Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production”); methodological issues (e.g. “Scenarios and Modelling); and at both the regional and global levels (e.g. “Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services”).