Despite some progress, most\u00a0protected habitats and species<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0have either\u00a0poor or bad conservation status<\/strong>. Destruction of habitats, overexploitation of resources, pollution, climate change<\/a>, the introduction of invasive species, urban sprawl and landscape fragmentation are only some of the reasons behind this decline, which affects\u00a0terrestrial and aquatic species<\/strong>, their habitats and ecosystem services.<\/p>\n The good news is that there are\u00a0signs of recovery<\/strong>\u00a0in some areas thanks to ongoing efforts to reduce certain impacts, such as those caused by contaminants, eutrophication and overfishing in marine ecosystems<\/a>.<\/p>\n Awareness of the importance of biodiversity<\/a> is also growing and many initiatives and policies are already in motion. Both the number and area of protected<\/a> sites under the EU\u2019s\u00a0Natura 2000\u00a0network have increased. With new policy proposals like the EU Restoration<\/a> Law, Europe wants to strengthen its efforts not only to\u00a0preserve and protect but also to restore Europe\u2019s nature.<\/p>\n Europe’s nature under pressure The pressures on biodiversity may vary depending on the habitat, region or species. Our assessments show that many\u00a0agricultural activities,\u00a0<\/strong>intensifying land management<\/a> practices, and the abandonment of extensive management are the most common overall pressures.<\/p>\n Urbanisation and leisure activities<\/strong>\u00a0are the second largest pressure and it particularly affects habitats such as dunes and coastal and rocky habitats.\u00a0Forestry\u00a0<\/strong>activities are the main source of pressure on arthropods<\/a>, mammals and non-vascular plants. The\u00a0pollution\u00a0of air, water<\/a> and soil from agriculture in particular, affects most habitats, especially in the European Union\u2019s Atlantic and continental regions.<\/p>\n What causes biodiversity loss<\/a> in Europe?<\/strong><\/p>\n How does pollution impact ecosystems? The types of pollutants that affect ecosystems are wide-ranging \u2014 from human-made chemical products, nutrients (e.g. nitrogen) and microplastics to ambient sources such as noise and light.<\/p>\n One of the sections of our\u00a0zero pollution monitoring assessment<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0examines available knowledge and trends in pollution and associated impacts on ecosystems.<\/p>\n Global biodiversity protection requires global action
\n<\/strong>Europe\u2019s biodiversity<\/strong>\u00a0continues to decline at an alarming rate, with most protected\u00a0species and habitats<\/strong>\u00a0confronting poor conservation status. Much more effort is needed to reverse current trends and to ensure resilient and healthy nature.<\/p>\n![\"Alt](\"https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu\/en\/topics\/in-depth\/biodiversity\/state-of-nature_th-al-20-018-en-n_150dpi-infographic-on-pressures-002.png\/@@images\/image\/great\")
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\n<\/strong>One of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and decline in Europe and worldwide is\u00a0pollution<\/strong>. Pollution puts pressure on freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems<\/a>, the functions they maintain and the services they provide.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>At the\u00a0UN Biodiversity conference COP15<\/strong>\u00a0in Montr\u00e9al, Canada, the EU joined 195 countries in the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This framework contains global goals and targets aiming to protect and restore nature<\/a> for current and future generations, ensure its sustainable use as well as spur investments for a green global economy. Together with the\u00a0Paris Agreement<\/strong>\u00a0on climate<\/a>, it paves the way towards a climate-neutral, nature-positive and resilient world by 2050.<\/p>\n