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10 messages for 2010 - climate change and biodiversity: The variety of life underpins our social and economic wellbeing and will be increasingly an indispensible resource in the battle against climate change. However, our consumption and production patterns are depriving ecosystems of their capacity to withstand climate change and deliver the services we need from them. As we understand more about the ways that climate change is impacting biodiversity, it becomes clear that we cannot tackle the two crises separately. Their interdependence requires us to address them together.
Located in Publications
10 messages for 2010 - Coastal ecosystems: Key messages: 1) As an interface between land and sea, European coastlines provide vital resources for wildlife, but also for the economy and human health and well-being. 2) Multiple pressures, including habitat loss and degradation, pollution, climate change and overexploitation of fish stocks, affect coastal ecosystems. 3) Coastal habitat types and species of Community interest are at risk in Europe; two thirds of coastal habitat types and more than half of coastal species have an unfavourable conservation status. 4) Integrated and ecosystem-based approaches provide the foundation for sustainable coastal management and development, supporting socio-economic development, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Coordinated action at the global, regional and local levels will be key to sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.
Located in Publications
Biodiversity ´hot spots´in the pan-European region: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Biodiversity - key fact 1: More than 10 000 non-native species are now present in Europe, 10–15 % of which are considered to have negative economic or ecological effects.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Biodiversity — SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key facts
Biodiversity — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Biodiversity — the variety of ecosystems, species and genes — is essential to human wellbeing, delivering services that sustain our economies and societies. Its huge importance makes biodiversity loss all the more troubling. European species are threatened with extinction and overexploitation. Natural habitats continue to be lost and fragmented, and degraded by pollution and climate change. Despite actions taken and progress made, these threats continue to impact biodiversity in Europe. The new global and EU targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2020 are ambitious but achieving them will require better policy implementation, coordination across sectors, ecosystem management approaches and a wider understanding of biodiversity's value.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Change in species diversity as a result of climate change - outlook from EEA (Outlook 004) - Assessment published Jun 2007: Significant changes in the distribution of plant species in Europe are expected by 2100 due to increase of global temperature by about 3.10C. Such temperature increase going to be well above the long-term sustainable objective set in the 6th EAP. The Southwestern part and the most Eastern part (Russia) of Europe may suffer the highest changes in biodiversity; the loss of species might exceed 50 % by 2050. By 2100 most European Member States are expected to lose more than 50 species compared with the 1995 situation.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Change in species diversity as a result of climate change - outlook from EEA
Change in species diversity as a result of climate change - outlook from EEA (Outlook 004) - Assessment published Jun 2009: By the late 21st century, distributions of European plant species are projected to have shifted several hundred kilometres to the north, forests are likely to have contracted in the south and expanded in the north, and 60 % of mountain plant species may face extinction. The rate of change will exceed the ability of many species to adapt, especially as landscape fragmentation may restrict movement. A combination of the rate of climate change, habitat fragmentation and other obstacles will impede the movement of many animal species, possibly leading to a progressive decline in European biodiversity. Distribution changes are projected to continue. Suitable climatic conditions for Europe's breeding birds are projected to shift nearly 550 km northeast by the end of the century, with the average range size shrinking by 20 %. Projections for 120 native European mammals suggest that up to 9 % (assuming no migration) risk extinction during the 21st century.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Change in species diversity as a result of climate change - outlook from EEA
Common European Chorological Grid Reference System (CGRS): In year 2000 representatives of the atlas groups mapping the European vascular plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fungi and invertebrates agreed to use the CGRS as a common grid for species distribution mapping. The CGRS grid is modified from the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS). The MGRS itself is an alphanumeric version of a numerical UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) or UPS (Universal Polar Stereographic) grid coordinate.
Located in Data and maps › Datasets
Common European Chorological Grid Reference System (CGRS): Map of CGRS grid covering Pan Europe and North Africa
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Conservation status of assessed habitats in EU‑25: - Annex I to the Habitats Directive includes a wide variety of habitats which are divided into nine groups of related habitat types such as forests and grassland. - Between these groups, dune habitats, grasslands and bogs, mires and fens have the worst conservation status.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs