The direct drivers of biodiversity loss are changes in land- and sea-use, overexploitation, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species. Many activities, such as agriculture, fisheries, urban expansion and trade, contribute to multiple drivers. Addressing the impact of these drivers on biodiversity requires cooperation between different EU policy domains, as well as strong international cooperation because climate change and trade are global issues, and invasive species cross borders.
Examples include:
- Pesticide pollution, which has short-term effects on directly exposed organisms as well as long-term effects on biodiversity from changes in habitat and food chains
- Excessive fertilizer use, which affects biodiversity through eutrophication of water bodies and soil acidification due to nutrient runoff (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus).
- The fisheries industry, which contributes to changes in sea-use and to overexploitation and pollution of marine resources.
See also EU policies address direct drivers of biodiversity loss
