Biodiversity, the diversity of life on Earth, is in an unprecedented crisis. Species are disappearing every day and scientists estimate that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction1. According to a report by the World Biodiversity Council, around one million species worldwide are threatened with extinction. The current rate of species extinction is up to 100 times faster than in the entire history of mankind. Of particular concern is the decline of insects, whose biomass has fallen by up to 75 % in some regions – with devastating effects on plant pollination and the health of our ecosystems.
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But why is this so important? Biodiversity is not just an abstract concept. It is the basis for stable ecosystems, clean water, fertile soils and the air we breathe. It is the engine of life on earth, and its loss threatens our health, our food security and ultimately our survival. In other words, every species that goes extinct is one too many.
More than 45,300 species are threatened with extinction. That is 28 % of all assessed species 2
The role of intensive, industrial agriculture
One of the biggest drivers of this species extinction is intensive, industrialised agriculture. This form of agriculture relies on monocultures and chemical pesticides, which deplete the soil, destroy biodiversity and destroy the natural habitat of many animals and plants. If large areas of land are only used for the cultivation of a single plant, the diverse habitats that promote biodiversity are missing. In addition, the huge quantities of fertilisers and pesticides contribute to the pollution of soil and water, which also threatens the survival of many organisms. In this way, agriculture provides us with food, but at a high price for the environment.
Nature-orientated agriculture: complex agroforestry as the key to thriving biodiversity
Complex agroforestry systems are a promising alternative to industrial agriculture. Agroforestry integrates perennial woody plants such as trees, shrubs and other plants into agricultural systems. Especially in its complex form, as is the case with food forests (also known as forest gardens), this imitates the natural structure of a forest and creates a multi-layered, biodiverse ecosystem. The inclusion of trees protects the soil, improves water retention and increases CO₂ sequestration, which can mitigate climate change. In this sense: Food forests are a multifunctional solution tool!



Complex agroforestry systems not only offer a diverse range of fruits, nuts and other foodstuffs, but also create valuable habitats for animals, insects and microorganisms. These systems are not only more resistant to extreme weather events, they also improve soil fertility and prevent erosion. They promote biodiversity because they create a balance between agriculture and the natural ecosystem.
The difference between the biodiversity crisis and climate change
There is often a strong focus on climate change, and for good reason: the warming of the planet caused by the release of greenhouse gases threatens millions of people and global stability. However, the loss of biodiversity is at least as urgent and closely linked to climate change, but is often underestimated. While climate change has a major impact on our future, the loss of biodiversity is something that has a massive impact here and now. Without biodiversity, entire ecosystems begin to falter, threatening our food production and the quality of water and air.
Why biodiversity is important for our health
Biodiversity is not just an issue for nature lovers or environmentalists – it concerns us all. Scientists warn that the loss of species has a direct impact on human health. For example, diseases such as malaria or Lyme disease can spread more rapidly if the natural enemies of the disease vectors disappear. Healthy ecosystems, on the other hand, provide us with clean water, fertile soils and safe food. Without the balance that a rich biodiversity provides, our entire life becomes unbalanced.
Conclusion: The solution is change!
The biodiversity crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time, but we can still overcome it. A transformation of our current form of agriculture towards sustainable, regenerative systems, including agroforestry and food forests, offers a promising way to stop the destruction of nature while ensuring healthy food production.
1 The sixth mass extinction is a term used by scientists to describe the current, accelerated loss of species on Earth. There have been five mass extinctions in the history of the earth, each of which wiped out a large proportion of living organisms. The best-known example is the extinction of the dinosaurs around 66 million years ago, presumably due to an asteroid impact
2 Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Link to: https://www.iucnredlist.org/