Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

“Biodiversity” is an expression of a fundamental feature of life on Earth: its astonishing variety. An estimated eight million species inhabit our planet, forming countless ecosystems at various scales. Such ecosystems provide services that are essential to human wellbeing. The rapid loss of biodiversity, accelerated by the climate crisis, is increasingly recognised as one of the core challenges of our time. In Asia and the Pacific, the conservation of forests is of particular relevance in tackling climate change. In response, IGES' Biodiversity and Forests experts participate in international policymaking, conduct various hands-on projects, and contribute regularly to the scientific literature and policy recommendations on this topic. Current focus areas include timber legality policy, and socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes.