life on land problems and solutions essay

Life on land

Deforestation: accelerating climate change and threatening biodiversity.

[goal: 15] aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and forests, to halt and reverse land degradation, and to put a stop to loss in biodiversity. In 2020, forests accounted for almost a third of global land area. Since 2000, forest area across the world has declined by 2.4 percent, an area equivalent to the size of Egypt.

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Forest area is unequally distributed

Forest cover is unequally distributed across the globe.

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved from World Development Indicators ([link: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.FRST.ZS AG.LND.FRST.ZS]).

There are four main types of forests: tropical, subtropical, temperate and boreal

Location of forest types in the world.

Source: Potapov, P. et al. 2020. [link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2020.112165 Mapping and monitoring global forest canopy height through integration of GEDI and Landsat data.] Remote Sensing of Environment, 112165. and FAO. 2007. [link: https://data.apps.fao.org/map/catalog/static/api/records/68790fd0-690c-11db-a5a5-000d939bc5d8 Thermal climate zones of the world (FGGD)].

Deforestation and forest degradation threaten the ability of forests to contribute to sustainable development

The global rate of deforestation has slowed, but remains high, net change in forest area between 2000 and 2020, countries with tropical and subtropical forests saw large losses between 2000 and 2020.

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Retrieved from World Development Indicators ([link: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.FRST.ZS AG.LND.FRST.ZS]).

Deforestation statistics do not tell the full story

Tree cover loss between 2000 and 2021, the five main drivers of tree cover loss are commodity-driven agriculture, urbanization, shifting agriculture, forestry, and wildfires, more than three quarters of tree cover loss is caused by temporary drivers, share of global tree cover loss in the period 2000-2021 by driver.

Source: The Sustainability Consortium, World Resources Institute, and University of Maryland. [link: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/ Tree Cover Loss by Driver].

Tree cover loss in Latin America & Caribbean and East Asia & Pacific is dominated by permanent drivers

Share of each driver of tree cover loss in the period 2000-2021 by region, commodity production is the main driver of tree cover loss in latin america and southeast asia, commodity-driven tree cover loss in santa cruz, bolivia, tree cover in 2000 and cumulative tree cover loss, 2001-2021.

Source: Hansen, Matthew C., et al. 2013. [link: https://glad.earthengine.app/view/global-forest-change High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change.] Science 342 (15 November): 850–53.

Shifting agriculture is the main driver of tree cover loss in the tropical forests in Africa

Shifting agriculture in northern democratic republic of congo, more frequent and intense wildfires – due to climate change – are an important factor in increased tree cover loss, tree cover loss due to wildfires in yakutsk, russia, forests help slow climate change, global forests remove 16 gigatons co2 annually from the atmosphere, average annual forest greenhouse gas removals (2001-2021).

Source: Harris, Nancy L., David A. Gibbs, Alessandro Baccini, et al. 2021. [link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-00976-6 Global maps of twenty-first century forest carbon fluxes.] Nature Climate Change. 11, 234–240., World Resource Institute (WRI).

Deforestation imperils biodiversity

Share of species threatened with extinction.

of 147,517 species assessed

The Red List Index shows a large decline in biodiversity

Biodiversity has declined in most countries, especially in the tropics where biodiversity is highest, red list index 2000 - 2022.

Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), BirdLife International; Retrieved from [link: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/database UN Global SDG Indicator Database (15.5.1)].

Designating protected areas can be positive for biodiversity

Share of kbas that are protected has doubled between 2000 and 2021, share of protected kbas of total kbas in the world.

Source: BirdLife International (BLI), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC); Retrieved from [link: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/database UN Global SDG Indicator Database (15.1.2, 15.4.1)].

COP15 of UN Convention on Biodiversity sets new targets

Learn more about sdg 15.

In the charts below you can find more facts about SDG {activeGoal} targets, which are not covered in this story. The data for these graphics is derived from official UN data sources.

SDG target 15.9

Many countries have not integrated biodiversity values into strategies for development, poverty reduction strategies and planning processes

Countries that established national targets in accordance with aichi biodiversity target 2 of the strategic plan for biodiversity 2011-2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans.

* Each square represents a country in the respective region.

Source: [link: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/ SDG Global Database] DOWNLOAD

SDG target 15.a

Official development assistance (ODA) can be used for promoting biodiversity, but levels vary by year and region.

Total official development assistance for biodiversity, by recipient countries (millions of constant 2020 united states dollars).

15 May 2018: Top experts in biodiversity evaluated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal on life on land (SDG 15) and discussed ways to protect and restore biodiversity, in the lead up to the July 2018 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). SDG 15 is one of the six Goals for which governments will conduct an in-depth review at the HLPF.

The two-day Expert Group Meeting took place from 14-15 May 2018, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. The event was convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), and featured in-depth discussions on forests, biodiversity, custodians of the terrestrial ecosystems, wildlife poaching and trafficking, mountains, land and soil, and means of implementation (MOI).

Amy Fraenkel, UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), observed that while all the custodians of other SDGs try to project each Goal as “essential for the achievement of the other ones,” biodiversity is “clearly the linchpin between all of them.” She explained that without biodiversity, we would not exist, let alone develop. Over the two days of exchange, participants often noted the need for:

• raising the profile of biodiversity and SDG 15 in political discussions across the board;
• mainstreaming biodiversity in all sectors and across sectors;
• policy coherence and integration among all relevant sectors and actors;
• protecting customary land rights and securing land tenure for local populations;
• community-based management and participatory approaches, in which indigenous peoples and local communities are co-designers;
• gender mainstreaming in all policies and programmes; and
• cross-sectoral, cross-departmental, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, including through partnerships.

The experts also called for an increase in efforts that address the drivers of biodiversity loss – efforts that increase agricultural production on existing land, reduce waste, enhance sustainable trade, and change diets towards less meat consumption. Some observed the SDG 15 targets that “expire” in 2020, noting that their replacement could provide an opportunity to create a more unified agenda that halts biodiversity loss by 2030.

Opening the meeting, Eliot Harris, Chief Economist, DESA, underscored the need for evidence-based knowledge to understand the interlinkages between goals and targets and to connect them with action. These interlinkages, he said, should inform priority setting through evaluation of their impacts. However, he cautioned that prioritization needs to be informed by national and local circumstances. Harris also called for adjusting governance structures to build on the interlinkages between goals, and for designing incentives to overcome systemic inertia.

Cristiana Pasca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, stressed the need to harness the power of new technologies for biodiversity and to use them to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of nature. Noting that technologies have the potential to transform the way we approach ecosystem restoration, she gave the example of companies that usee drones to determine what species are needed and where, in order to reforest, replant, and restore ecosystems. She also noted the potential of natural technologies to enable countries to fuse nature with technology and build infrastructure with enhanced resilience to climate change. She gave the example of two “sponge” cities in China built on natural infrastructure that confers flood control, water conservation and ecosystem protection.

Tom Brooks, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), noted that, where the SDG targets are related to conservation and actions, the current indicators show progress, while indicators on the state of nature (such as the Red List Index) show a decline. Brooks encouraged better harnessing of multi-purpose indicators that address multiple targets. He also cautioned about trade-offs between the SDGs, emphasizing that “both agriculture and nature need space to take place.”

Noting that the Living Planet Index shows a 58% decline in vertebrate species between 1970 and 2012, Deon Nel, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), said it is still physically possible to reverse biodiversity decline even though the world population will reach 8.6 billion by 2030, 9.8 billion by 2050, and 11.2 billion by 2100. Cristian Samper, President and CEO, Wildlife Conservation Society, gave the example of the tiger population in India, which grew by 276% from 2006 to 2016, while Malan Lindeque, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia, said Namibia is moving some of its rhino population from protected areas to communal areas because the rhino population is doing very well. Maria Rivera, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, cautioned that 76% of wetland species are threatened.

Pierre Boileau, UN Environment, noted that the lack of appropriate regulations and increased populations close to protected areas, especially in conflict-affected zones, are triggers of both poaching and broader biodiversity loss. Samuel Kasiki, Kenya Wildlife Service, identified challenges to wildlife conservation, including: inadequate optimal resources; corruption; human/ wildlife conflict; limited involvement of the private sector; invasive species; and climate change.

Midori Paxton, UN Development Programme (UNDP), said local communities are and need to be at the center of wildlife conservation. John Scanlon, former Secretary-General of CITES, explained that wildlife agencies are not well-equipped to deal with transnational wildlife crime, thus specialized, well-resourced agencies are needed. He noted with concern that the UN Convention on Corruption does not mention illegal trade in wildlife.

Observing that 30-40% of the world’s food-insecure people live in mountains, Andrew Taber, former Executive Director, The Mountain Institute, emphasized the need for business approaches for high mountain conservation.

Deborah Bossio, The Nature Conservancy, said it would be difficult to achieve many of the SDGs without addressing land degradation. She explained that by restoring soils’ organic matter and thus their CO2 sequestration capacity, countries can make contributions to addressing climate change, but only eight National Determined Contributions (NDCs) mention soil. Dan Pennock, Member of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils, added that the soil organic matter stores rain water and increases the resilience of agricultural systems to shocks, thus directly contributing to SDG 2 (zero hunger).

Gertrude Kabusimbi Kenyangi, Executive Director, Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment, Uganda, said SDG implementation needs to recognize indigenous peoples and local communities who are the custodians of terrestrial ecosystems as the rights holders for those ecosystems and not as simple “stakeholders.” She called for respect for traditional knowledge and for market-based mechanisms such as REDD+ to be people-centered. Joji Carino, Forest Peoples Programme, the Philippines, underscored the need to recognize the link between cultural diversity and biological diversity. In many cases, she cautioned, there is more focus, research and knowledge on endangered species than on the local communities and indigenous peoples who are their custodians. She added that biological and cultural diversity together increase resilience to social, environmental, and climate changes. Mirna Ines Fernandez, Global Youth Biodiversity Network, said including anthropologists and communications specialists in project teams is essential for local communities’ acquirement of conservation knowledge.

Nel noted that countries should report their environmental footprint with regards to trade and investment. Samper invited a focus on the interlinkages between urbanization, conservation, and production systems. Eva Mueller, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), recommended intensifying commodity production in place rather than extending the area of production at the expense of forests and biodiversity. Juha Siikamak, IUCN, called for making ecosystem valuation tangible by bringing it at the individual level.

Bob Watson, Chair, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), recommended applying combinations of regulations, financial incentives, and behavioral change. Francesca Perucci, UN Statistics Division, said data needs to be communicated to policymakers in a relevant and understandable way. Steffen Dehn, International Forestry Students’ Association, stressed the need for supporting youth engagement in innovation for biodiversity. Fraenkel pointed out that the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the CBD in 2020 presents an opportunity to adopt a unified, strong agenda for biodiversity and SDGs, by 2030.

Delivering closing remarks, Marion Barthelemy, DESA, explained that each of the SDGs under review will have a dedicated three-hour session during the first week of the July 2018 HLPF meeting. She said the session on SDG 15, which is scheduled for 13 July, will provide an opportunity to address the interlinkages of SDG 15 with other SDGs, such as gender (SDG 5), water (SDG 6), food (SDG 2) and climate change (SDG 13). She noted that outcomes of the Expert Group Meeting on SDG 15 will set the foundation for the thematic review of SDG 15 and will contribute to the ministerial declaration to be adopted by the HLPF. [ Event Website ] [ Event Programme ] [ Concept Note ] [ Background Note ] [ HLPF Website ] [SDG Knowledge Hub sources]

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Life on land: why it matters.

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What’s the goal here? To sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. Two billion hectares of land on Earth are degraded, affecting some 3.2 billion people, driving species to extinction and intensifying climate change. Goal 15: Life on land Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihoods. Plant life provides 80 percent of the human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resources. Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, provide vital habitats for millions of species, and important sources for clean air and water, as well as being crucial for combating climate change. Every year, 13 million hectares of forests are lost, while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares, disproportionately affecting poor communities. While 15 percent of land is protected, biodiversity is still at risk. Nearly 7,000 species of animals and plants have been illegally traded. Wildlife trafficking not only erodes biodiversity, but creates insecurity, fuels conflict, and feeds corruption. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage and support global food and water security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and peace and security. Facts and Figures > Every year, 13 million hectares of forests are lost, while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares, disproportionately affecting poor communities. >1.6 billion - Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods. > 80% - Forests are home to more than 80 percent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. > 2.6 billion - 2.6 billion people depend directly on agriculture for a living. > 33% - Nature-based climate solutions can contribute about a third of CO2 reductions by 2030. > $125 trillion - The value of ecosystems to human livelihoods and well-being is $US125 trillion per year. > 60-80% - Mountain regions provide 60-80 percent of the Earth's fresh water. > A recent UN report on biodiversity found that around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history. > Every year, some two million people, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, die from neglected zoonotic diseases. The same outbreaks can cause severe illness, deaths, and productivity losses among livestock populations in the developing world, a major problem that keeps hundreds of millions of small-scale farmers in severe poverty. > In the last two decades alone, zoonotic diseases have caused economic losses of more than $100 billion, not including the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to reach $9 trillion over the next few years.

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Food and agriculture organization of the united nations (fao).

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

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Sustainable Development Goal 15

Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.

Sustainable Development Goal 15 is to “conserve life on land”, according to the United Nations.

The visualizations and data below present the global perspective on where the world stands today and how it has changed over time.

The UN has defined 12 targets and 14 indicators for SDG 15. Targets specify the goals and indicators represent the metrics by which the world aims to track whether these targets are achieved. Below we quote the original text of all targets and show the data on the agreed indicators.

Target 15.1 Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

Sdg indicator 15.1.1 forest cover.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.1.1 is “forest area as a proportion of total land area” in the UN SDG framework .

Forest area is land under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens.

Target: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.” 1

Unlike most SDGs which have a target year of 2030, this indicator was set to be achieved by 2020.

More research: Further data and research can be found on the Our World in Data page on forest area .

Additional charts

• Forest area (square kilometres)
• Share of global forest area

SDG Indicator 15.1.2 Protection of important biodiversity areas

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.1.2 is the “proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type” in the UN SDG framework .

Protected areas are covered by three indicators: the proportion of total terrestrial area classified as protected; proportion of key terrestrial biodiversity areas that are protected; and proportion key freshwater biodiversity areas that are protected.

Target 15.2 End deforestation and restore degraded forests

Sdg indicator 15.2.1 sustainable forest management.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.2.1 is “progress towards sustainable forest management” in the UN SDG framework .

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is composed of five sub-indicators that measure progress towards all dimensions of sustainable forest management.

Three sub-indicators focus on the expansion of forest area, above-ground biomass within the forest area and the protection of forest biodiversity. The fourth relates to the availability of a long-term forest management plan; and the final indicator measures areas which are independently verified for compliance with a set of national or international standards.

Target: “By 2020 promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.”

More research: Further data and research can be found on the Our World in Data page on deforestation and forest loss .

• Forest area by type

Target 15.3 End desertification and restore degraded land

Sdg indicator 15.3.1 end land degradation.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.3.1 is the “proportion of land that is degraded over total land area” in the UN SDG framework .

This indicator is assessed using three sub-indicators:

i) Trends in land cover: An example of land degradation due to land cover change is the conversion of forests into croplands or settlements.

ii) Trends in land productivity: Land productivity is measured in terms of Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of vegetation. Land is considered degraded in terms of productivity if its NPP is less than half the value of the 90th percentile NPP in the same region.

iii) Carbon stock: This is considered degraded if there is a net reduction of 10% or more in soil organic carbon between the baseline and current observations.

If any of the sub-indicators is deemed degraded for a specific land unit, it will be classified as degraded, pending validation by national authorities.

Target: “By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.”

Target 15.4 Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems

Sdg indicator 15.4.1 coverage of important sites for mountain biodiversity.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.4.1 is “coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity” in the UN SDG framework .

This indicator measures the average share of each important site for mountain biodiversity that is covered by designated protected areas. The indicator does not measure the effectiveness of protected areas in reducing biodiversity loss, which depends on a range of management and enforcement factors.

Target: “By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.”

More research: Further data and research can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on biodiversity .

SDG Indicator 15.4.2 Vegetation coverage of mountainous areas

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.4.2 is the “(a) Mountain Green Cover Index and (b) proportion of degraded mountain land” in the UN SDG framework .

The Mountain Green Cover Index measures the percentage of mountainous areas covered by some form of green vegetation.

The Index measures the changes of the green vegetation in mountain areas - i.e. forest, shrubs, trees, pasture land, crop land, etc. – in order to monitor progress on the mountain target. This is monitored through high resolution satellite imagery.

Target 15.5 Protect biodiversity and natural habitats

Sdg indicator 15.5.1 species extinction risk.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.5.1 is the “Red List Index” in the UN SDG framework .

The Red List Index (RLI) shows the trends in overall extinction risk for groups of species. An RLI value of 1.0 equates to all species in the group being categorised as 'Least Concern', and hence that none are expected to go extinct in the near future. A value of 0 indicates that all species have gone extinct.

Target: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.”

• Living Planet Index
• Number of species threatened with extinction

Target 15.6 Protect access to genetic resources and fair sharing of the benefits

Sdg indicator 15.6.1 benefits of sharing genetic resources.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.6.1 is the “number of countries that have adopted legislative, administrative and policy frameworks to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits” in the UN SDG framework .

This indicator is measured through several sub-indicators that track countries’ participation in protocols concerned with the promotion and sharing of genetic resources for plants, food and agriculture, such as the Nagoya Protocol and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources.

Target: “By 2030 promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed.”

Target 15.7 Eliminate poaching and trafficking of protected species

Sdg indicator 15.7.1 wildlife poaching and trafficking.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.7.1 is the “proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked” in the UN SDG framework .

Internationally comparable data on this indicator is not currently available, and is thus not reported here.

Target: “Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.”

• Number of rhinos poached

No data for this indicator

We are currently not aware of data for this indicator. You can notify us of available data for this indicator via our feedback form .

Target 15.8 Prevent invasive alien species on land and in water ecosystems

Sdg indicator 15.8.1 prevent invasive alien species.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.8.1 is the “proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species” in the UN SDG framework .

Alien species are those which have been introduced outside their natural distribution range through either intentional or accidental dispersion by human activity.

Invasive alien species impact native biodiversity thorugh competition for resources, predation, hybridisation, disease transmission, parasitism, herbivory and trampling and rooting. The outcomes of these impacts lead to biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and loss of ecosystem services.

Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualization.

Target: “By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.”

Unlike most SDG targets which are set to be achieved by 2030, this indicator was to be achieved by 2020.

Target 15.9 Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity in governmental planning

Sdg indicator 15.9.1 integration of ecosystem and biodiversity in planning.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.9.1 is the “(a) number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting” in the UN SDG framework .

Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualizations.

Target: “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.”

Target 15.a Increase financial resources to conserve and sustainably use ecosystem and biodiversity

Sdg indicator 15.a.1 official development assistance for biodiversity.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.a.1 is the “(a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments” in the UN SDG framework .

This indicator is reported as the annual official development assistance (ODA) for biodiversity by recipient, and value of assistance by donor.

Official development assistance refers to flows to countries and territories on the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and to multilateral institutions which meet a set of criteria related to the source of the funding, the purpose of the transaction, and the concessional nature of the funding.

Although they are different indicators the data to track both 15.a.1 and 15.b.1 is currently the same.

Target: “Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.”

Target 15.b Finance and incentivize sustainable forest management

Sdg indicator 15.b.1 official development assistance for forest management.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.b.1 is the “(a) official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments” in the UN SDG framework .

Target: “Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation.”

Target 15.c Combat global poaching and trafficking

Sdg indicator 15.c.1 poaching and trafficking wildlife.

Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 15.c.1 is the “proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked”, in the UN SDG framework .

Target: “Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities.”

Full text: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.”

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Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Goal 15 is about conserving life on land. It is to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and stop biodiversity loss.

Earth’s ecosystems are vital for sustaining human life, they contribute to over half of global GDP and encompass diverse cultural, spiritual, and economic values.

However, the world is facing a triple crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

Between 2015 and 2019, at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land were degraded every year, impacting the lives of 1.3 billion people.

Agricultural expansion is the direct driver of almost 90 per cent of deforestation. This is in direct relation to our food systems, and oil palm harvesting accounted for 7 per cent of global deforestation from 2000 to 2018.

Global and regional efforts to sustain forest ecosystems as well as their social, economic and environmental functions are essential, in particular for developing countries and the tropics.

We need to shift humanity’s relationship with nature to achieve Goal 15, and realise that nature is the root of our life of earth. The recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides renewed impetus for Goal 15, outlining four outcome- oriented goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.

Why should we care?

Forests cover nearly 31 per cent of the world and are home to more than 80 per cent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. However, biodiversity is declining faster than at any other time in human history.

Globally, one fifth of the Earth’s land area are degraded, an area nearly the size of India and the Russian Federation combined. Land degradation drive species to extinction and intensifies climate change, biodiversity and the ecosystem services it underpins can also be the basis for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies as they can deliver benefits that will increase the resilience of people.

What does loss of forests mean?

Lost forests mean the disappearance of livelihoods in rural communities, increased carbon emissions, diminished biodiversity and the degradation of land. While forest loss remains high, 2020 data show that the proportion of forests in protected areas and under long-term management plans increased or remained stable at the global level and in most regions of the world.

An irreversible effect of human activity on the environment is species extinction, which upsets the balance of nature and makes ecosystems more fragile and less resistant to disruptions. A recent UN report on biodiversity found that around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history.

How does it affect our health?

Increased demand for animal protein, a rise in intense and unsustainable farming, the increased use and exploitation of wildlife, and the climate crisis are all driving the increased emergence of zoonotic diseases – diseases transmitted from wildlife to people – like COVID-19.

Every year, some two million people, mostly in low and middle-income countries, die from neglected zoonotic diseases. The same outbreaks can cause severe illness, deaths, and productivity losses among livestock populations in the developing world, a major problem that keeps hundreds of millions of small-scale farmers in severe poverty. In the last two decades alone, zoonotic diseases have caused economic losses of more than $100 billion, not including the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What can we do?

Some things we can do to help include recycling, eating a locally-based diet that is sustainably sourced, and consuming only what we need.

We must be respectful toward wildlife and only take part in ecotourism opportunities that are responsibly and ethically run in order to prevent wildlife disturbance. Well-managed protected areas support healthy ecosystems, which in turn keep people healthy. It is therefor critical to secure the involvement of the local communities in the development and management of these protected areas.

Facts and figures

Goal 15 targets.

• Terrestrial ecosystems are vital for sustaining human life, contributing to over half of global GDP and encompassing diverse cultural, spiritual, and economic values.
• However, the world faces a triple crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Escalating trends of forest loss, land degradation and the extinction of species pose a severe threat to both the planet and people.
• Despite some progress in sustainable forest management, protected areas, and the uptake of national biodiversity values and natural capital accounting, most improvements have been modest. The recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides renewed impetus for Goal 15, outlining four outcome-oriented goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.

Source: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023

15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements

15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development

15.5 Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

15.6 Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed

15.7 Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products

15.8 By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species

15.9 By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

15.A Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

15.B Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

15.C Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities

Convention on Biological Diversity

FAO – Forestry

The New York Declaration on Forests

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

International Maritime Organization

International Union for Conservation of Nature

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Essay on Life On Land

Students are often asked to write an essay on Life On Land in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Life On Land

What is life on land.

Life on land refers to all living things that exist on the surface of the Earth. This includes all plants, animals, and humans. These living beings rely on one another and the environment for survival. For example, plants make food using sunlight, and animals eat these plants or other animals.

Plants and Their Role

Plants are very important in life on land. They make their own food using sunlight, a process called photosynthesis. This food is used by animals and humans. Additionally, plants give out oxygen which is vital for all living beings to breathe.

Animals and Their Role

Animals, including humans, play a big role in life on land. They eat plants and other animals for food. Some animals help in spreading plant seeds, aiding in their growth. Other animals, like bees, help in pollination, which is necessary for plants to reproduce.

Human Impact

Humans have a big impact on life on land. They use resources like water, food, and space. Sometimes, they use too much, which can harm other life forms. It’s important for humans to use resources wisely to keep life on land healthy.

In conclusion, life on land is a complex system of plants, animals, and humans. They all depend on each other and the environment for survival. It’s important to protect and respect all life on land to ensure its future.

250 Words Essay on Life On Land

Life on land means all the living things that exist on earth. It includes humans, animals, plants, and microbes. These living things make up a complex and interconnected system. Each creature has a role to play in this system, big or small.

The Variety of Life On Land

There is a wide range of life forms on land. From the smallest insect to the largest elephant, each species is unique. There are also countless types of plants, from tiny grasses to gigantic trees. These life forms are spread across different parts of the world, each suited to its environment.

The Interconnectedness of Life

All life on land is interconnected. Animals depend on plants for food and oxygen, while plants need animals for pollination and spreading seeds. Even the smallest creatures, like insects and microbes, play a vital role in maintaining the balance of life on earth.

Challenges to Life On Land

Life on land faces many challenges. Pollution, deforestation, and climate change are some of the biggest threats. These problems can harm or even wipe out entire species. It’s important for us to take care of our planet and protect all life on land.

The Role of Humans

Humans play a big part in life on land. We have the power to protect or destroy it. By making wise choices, we can help preserve the rich diversity of life on earth. This includes things like recycling, planting trees, and protecting endangered species.

In conclusion, life on land is a complex and beautiful system. It’s up to us to respect and protect it for future generations.

500 Words Essay on Life On Land

Introduction to life on land.

Life on land is a broad term that talks about the existence and survival of living things on Earth’s land. This includes humans, animals, plants, and other living organisms. The land is a dynamic and diverse place, with different climates, landscapes, and habitats. This variety gives rise to a wide range of life forms, each adapted to survive in its unique environment.

The Variety of Life on Land

Life on land is full of variety. There are millions of different species of plants, animals, and insects. Each one has its own way of living, eating, and surviving. For example, a cactus plant survives in the desert by storing water in its thick stem, while a polar bear survives in the Arctic by having a thick layer of fat and fur for warmth. This shows that life on land is incredibly adaptable, able to survive in many different conditions.

Human Life on Land

Humans are also a part of life on land. We have built cities, towns, and villages where we live, work, and play. We grow food on farms, travel on roads, and explore forests and mountains for fun. We use the resources from the land, like wood for building and soil for growing crops. At the same time, we also have a responsibility to protect and care for the land, to ensure that it remains a healthy place for all life.

The Cycle of Life on Land

Life on land follows a cycle. Plants grow from seeds, then produce their own seeds before they die. Animals are born, grow up, and have their own babies. This cycle of life is important because it keeps the land full of life. It also provides food for many creatures. For example, birds eat seeds, and lions eat other animals. This is called the food chain.

Challenges to Life on Land

Life on land faces many challenges. These include changes in climate, pollution, and the destruction of habitats. These problems can harm or even kill plants and animals. For example, when forests are cut down, the animals that live there lose their homes. To protect life on land, we need to take care of the environment. This includes things like planting trees, reducing waste, and using resources wisely.

In conclusion, life on land is a fascinating and diverse world, full of different species and ecosystems. It is a place of beauty and wonder, but also a place that faces many challenges. As humans, we have a role to play in protecting and preserving life on land, to ensure that it continues to thrive for generations to come.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Life On Earth
• Essay on Life On An Island
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Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Goal  15:

Life on land .

The UN’s SubGoals for life on land

• Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
• End deforestation and restore degraded forests
• Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems
• Protect biodiversity and natural habitats
• Eliminate poaching and trafficking of protected species
• Prevent invasive alien species on land and in water ecosystem
• Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity in governmental planning
• Increase financial resources to conserve and sustainably use ecosystem and biodiversity finance
• Combat global poaching and trafficking

How you can help

Reduce your use of paper. Avoid printing and substitute it with electronic devices or carriers.

Clean your local parks and forests. Organise your own or join an existing clean-up event to sustain the ecosystem of your local green space.

Compost. Composting food scraps can reduce climate impact while also recycling nutrients.

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11 amazing facts about these ancient amphibians

6 Brilliant Staycation Ideas

From beach trips to city breaks, check out the best UK holidays to book now

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Small Actions, Big Difference

Want to be an activist but don’t know where to start? Anyone can do it. Here are 17 small actions you can do to make a big difference.

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Life on Land

• Living reference work
• © 2020
• 0th edition
• View latest edition
• Walter Leal Filho 0 ,
• Anabela Marisa Azul 1 ,
• Luciana Brandli 2 ,
• Amanda Lange Salvia 3 ,
• Tony Wall 4

European School of Sustainability, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany

You can also search for this editor in PubMed   Google Scholar

Center for Neuroscience & Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Passo Fundo University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Passo Fundo, Brazil

Haw hamburg, hamburg, germany, international centre for thriving, university of chester, chester, united kingdom.

• Fosters knowledge to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• Comprehensively describes research, projects and practical action
• Provides government agencies, education institutions and non-governmental agencies with a sound basis to promote sustainability efforts
• Covers many countries, very international
• Fills a market need, being the world´s most comprehensive publication on the topic

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (ENUNSDG)

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About this book

The problems related to the process of industrialisation such as biodiversity depletion, climate change and a worsening of health and living conditions, especially but not only in developing countries, intensify. Therefore, there is an increasing need to search for integrated solutions to make development more sustainable. The United Nations has acknowledged the problem and approved the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. On 1st January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda officially came into force. These goals cover the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.  

The  Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals  comprehensively addresses the SDGs in an integrated way. It encompasses 17 volumes, each one devoted to one of the 17 SDGs. This volume addresses SDG 15, namely " Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss " and contains the description of a range of terms, which allow a better understanding and foster knowledge.

Concretely, the defined targets are:

• Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
• Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally 
• Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world
• Ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development
• Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
• Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed
• Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products
• Introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly
• Reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species
• Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies andaccounts
• Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems
• Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation
• Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities

Editorial Board

Alexandra Aragão, Desalegn Yayeh Ayal, Ayansina Ayanlade, Anabela Marisa Azul, Adriana Consorte-McCrea, Muhammad Farooq, Ana Catarina Luz, María P. Martín, Sharif A. Mukul, Nandhivarman Muthu, Robert Russell Monteith Paterson, Isabel Ruiz-Mallén

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Resource Management, Sustainable Development, and Governance: Introduction and Overview

• Sustainability
• combat desertification
• Afforestation
• Halt loss of biodiversity
• Reforestation
• Stop trafficking
• end poaching
• protection of endangered species
• reversal of land degradation

Table of contents (96 entries)

• Nevena Vasiljevic

Natural Habitat Loss: Causes and Implications of Structural and Functional Changes

• Boris Radić, Suzana Gavrilović

Restoration Ecology: The Emerging Paradigms

• Poyyamoli Gopalsamy

Sacred Groves: Potential for Biodiversity and Bioresource Management

• N. Parthasarathy, K. Naveen Babu

Soil Fertility, Integrated Management, and Sustainability

• Golda A. Edwin, Nakkeeran Muthu

Boreal Forests: Distributions, Biodiversity, and Management

• Imrul Kayes, Azim Mallik

Community-Based Natural Resources Management

• Krishna Roka

Ecosystem Function

• Luis Inostroza, Harald Zepp, Steward Pickett, Rudolf de Groot

Ecosystem Services: Meanings, Politics, Developments, and Way Forward

• Md. Nadiruzzaman, Raiyan Rahman

Forest Carbon Stock and Fluxes: Distribution, Biogeochemical Cycles, and Measurement Techniques

• Sharif A. Mukul, Md. Abdul Halim, John Herbohn

Forest Dependency: Status, Assessment Tools, and Influencing Factors

• Mohammed A. S. Arfin-Khan, Md. Shamim Reza Saimun

Mangrove Forests: Ecology, Management, and Threats

• Prity L. Biswas, Shekhar R. Biswas

Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs)

• Jelena Nedeljković

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)

• Md. Danesh Miah

Reforestation and Sustainable Development

• Vladan Ivetić

Regulating Ecosystem Services: Enhancements Through Sustainable Management

• Karishma Sinha, Mohammed Abdul Baten

Supporting Ecosystem Services: Concepts and Linkages to Sustainability

• M Saiful I. Khan

Traditional Forest-Related Knowledge

• Md. Danesh Miah, Papon Roy

Tropical Forest and Sustainability: An Overview

• Narayan Saha

Ecosystem Services and Integrity Trend

• Stephen M. Turton

Editors and Affiliations

Walter Leal Filho

Center for Neuroscience & Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

Anabela Marisa Azul

Luciana Brandli

Amanda Lange Salvia

About the editors

Bibliographic information.

Book Title : Life on Land

Editors : Walter Leal Filho, Anabela Marisa Azul, Luciana Brandli, Amanda Lange Salvia, Tony Wall

Series Title : Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71065-5

Publisher : Springer Cham

eBook Packages : Springer Reference Earth and Environm. Science , Reference Module Physical and Materials Science , Reference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences

eBook ISBN : 978-3-319-71065-5 Due: 19 November 2021

Series ISSN : 2523-7403

Series E-ISSN : 2523-7411

Topics : Sustainable Development , Ecology , Forestry

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Life on Land

Forests cover 30.7 per cent of the Earth’s surface and, in addition to providing food security and shelter, they are key to combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and the homes of the indigenous population. By protecting forests, we will also be able to strengthen natural resource management and increase land productivity.

At the current time, thirteen million hectares of forests are being lost every year while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares. Even though up to 15% of land is currently under protection, biodiversity is still at risk. Deforestation and desertification – caused by human activities and climate change – pose major challenges to sustainable development and have affected the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the fight against poverty.

Efforts are being made to manage forests and combat desertification. There are two international agreements being implemented currently that promote the use of resources in an equitable way. Financial investments in support of biodiversity are also being provided.

The Lion’s Share Fund

On 21 June, 2018, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), FINCH and founding partner Mars, Incorporated, announced the Lion’s Share, an initiative aimed at transforming the lives of animals across the world by asking advertisers to contribute a percentage of their media spend to conservation and animal welfare projects. The Lion’s Share will see partners contribute 0.5 percent of their media spend to the fund for each advertisement they use featuring an animal. Those funds will be used to support animals and their habitats around the world. The Fund is seeking to raise US$100m a year within three years, with the money being invested in a range of wildlife conservation and animal welfare programs to be implemented by United Nations and civil society organizations.

Take the course

From the Ground Up: Managing our Terrestrial Ecosystems

Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience

Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Working with nature to adapt to a changing climate

One Health in Practice: Solutions for Healthy People in Biosphere Reserves

How to Achieve the SDGs

The Age of Sustainable Development

Transforming Our World: Achieving the SDGs

Measuring Sustainable Development

Changing Behaviour for Sustainable Development

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