Antarctica and the strategic plan for biodiversity

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Polar Science

Background:

• The Convention on Biological Diversity's Strategic Plan for Biodiversity aims to halt global biodiversity loss.
• Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, covering 10% of Earth's surface, are excluded from progress assessments.
• This exclusion represents a significant missed opportunity for worldwide biodiversity conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the biodiversity status and outlook in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
• To evaluate progress against the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity in polar regions.
• To identify conservation opportunities in the Antarctic region.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of biodiversity status in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.
• Comparison of Antarctic biodiversity trends with global trends.
• Assessment of the region's alignment with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity objectives.

Main Results:

• Surprisingly, the biodiversity outlook in the Antarctic region is comparable to the global average.
• Despite its remote and seemingly pristine nature, the Antarctic faces similar biodiversity challenges as the rest of the planet.
• Significant opportunities for conservation interventions exist within the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.

Conclusions:

• The Antarctic and Southern Ocean biodiversity status requires urgent attention and integration into global conservation strategies.
• Conservation efforts in polar regions are crucial for achieving global biodiversity targets.
• Remedial actions can effectively address biodiversity decline in the Antarctic, offering hope for its unique ecosystems.