On a local, global scale, in developed or developing countries, wild species are exploited by humans for food, medicine, hygiene or even energy. On Friday July 8, UN biodiversity experts published a report that sounded a new alarm bell on the decline of wild species, essential for billions of people across the globe.
In 2019, this UN body, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), revealed that one million species were threatened with extinction. In particular their misuse by humans. Overexploitation, for example, affects a third of fish stocks and endangers more than 1,300 species of wild mammals and 12% of tree species.
Wild species essential to humans
“Urbans in rich countries do not notice it, but wild plants are used in the composition of medicines or cosmetics, you eat wild fish and there is a good chance that your furniture comes from wild trees”explains Jean-Marc Fromentin, co-author of the report.
“Small-scale fishing, for example, is a mainstay of the way of life of local communities on all continents and supports more than 90% of the 120 million people who practice it in the world”, highlights the IPBES report.
Wild species ensure the survival of the most vulnerable populations: “70% of the world’s poor people are directly dependent on wildlife and the businesses they support. » For instance, “plants, algae and fungi provide food and income for one in five people on the planet, especially women, children and landless farmers”. Tackling overexploitation as well as promoting reasonable and sustainable use of wild species is therefore essential for people, say the scientists.
Solutions through the knowledge of indigenous peoples
This report by the “IPCC on biodiversity” gives a note of hope. Different solutions exist to make the exploitation of these wild, terrestrial and aquatic species sustainable. The authors recommend measures that can be adapted to different social and ecological contexts, and to rely on the knowledge of local populations. “Indigenous peoples manage fishing, gathering, harvesting of terrestrial animals and other uses of wildlife on more than 38 million km² of land in 87 countries. »
But many of them “have sustainable use of wildlife, through their knowledge, practices and spirituality, note the report. These peoples have as common values the obligation to treat nature with respect and to ensure a fair and equitable distribution. »
To achieve the global goals of sustainable development, a “change in the relationship that humans have with nature is necessary”. A second IPBES report on nature values is due out on Monday 11 July. These two works will feed into the discussions at COP15 biodiversity in December in Montreal. The conference must set a framework to protect nature and its resources at the global level by 2050.