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Since 1970, 73% of global wildlife has been lost, while the world’s population has doubled to 8 billion. Research shows this isn’t a coincidence but that population growth is causing a catastrophic decline in biodiversity.

Yet a turning point in human history is underway. According to UN projections, the number of people in 85 countries will be shrinking by 2050, mostly in Europe and Asia. By 2100, the human population is on course for global decline. Some say this will be good for the environment.

In 2010, Japan became the first Asian country to begin depopulating. South Korea, China and Taiwan are following close behind. In 2014, Italy was the first in southern Europe, followed by Spain, Portugal and others. We call Japan and Italy “depopulation vanguard countries” on account of their role as forerunners for understanding possible consequences in their regions.

Biodiversity continued to decrease in most of the areas we studied, irrespective of population increase or decrease. Only where the population remains steady is biodiversity more stable. However, the population of these areas is ageing and will decline soon, bringing them in line with the areas already seeing biodiversity loss.

While most farmland remains under cultivation, some falls into disuse or abandonment, some is sold for urban development or transformed into intensively farmed landscapes. This prevents widespread natural succession of plant growth or afforestation (planting of new trees) that would enrich biodiversity.

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[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 16 points 2 days ago

Turns out, you actually have to find a way to live sustainably and alongside the environment. You can't subjugate it like we are currently attempting.

[-] TheKingBee@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Wow, turns out if you stab something and leave it to bleed out it doesn't magically get better immediately...

[-] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

This rather thin article has been discussed elsewhere. The basic argument boils down to, "Natural landscapes need humans on hand to manage them". I don't question the good faith of the authors but personally I'm finding it hard to take that premise seriously. With time, nature will regenerate without our help. And yes, on a planet of 8 billion humans and still rising, less people is always going to be better, period.

[-] LilB0kChoy@midwest.social 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)
this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2025
38 points (95.2% liked)

Biodiversity

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Welcome to c/Biodiversity @ Mander.xyz!

A community about the variety of life on Earth at all levels; including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.



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Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically to refer to all of the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. However, only around 1.2 million species have been identified and described so far, most of which are insects. This means that millions of other organisms remain a complete mystery.

Over generations, all of the species that are currently alive today have evolved unique traits that make them distinct from other species. These differences are what scientists use to tell one species from another. Organisms that have evolved to be so different from one another that they can no longer reproduce with each other are considered different species. All organisms that can reproduce with each other fall into one species. Read more...

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