With the opening of the Volga-Don canal in 1952 navigation between the oceans and the Caspian became possible. Contact between the previously secluded Caspian marine ecosystem and the outside world was consequently inevitable. The connection led to the introduction of various alien species (plants and animals not native to the habitat). The most threatening event for the Caspian ecosystem was the arrival of the North American comb jelly (Mnem...

Figure 27: Loss of biodiversity with continued agricultural expansion, pollution, climate change and infrastructure development. (Source: GLOBIO; Alkemade et al., 2009).

The impacts of land conversion on biodiversity may be significant. The degree of impact relates to many factors, including where and how the bioenergy product is cultivated. This figure represent the short-term impacts of land conversion.

Biofuels pose several environmental and social risks. Therefore, to be truly a part of the green economy, biofuels need to comply with a set of safeguards along the entire production chain. Any bioenergy development strategy must integrate such safeguards at all levels, from policy to investments and the project itself. As impacts can be significant, they need to be assessed from a number of angles, including: • Direct and indirect lan...

Biodiversity is the basis for any development; it is the natural capital, the stock of natural ecosystems, which provide services for any human activity. As pointed out above, the main immediate threat to biodiversity from biofuel production is through changes in land use, but longer-term threats may come from the spread of invasive species and uncontrolled use of genetically modified (GM) organisms. The environmental and social costs o...

Caspian and Balkhash endemic species are under threat of extinction. It is estimated that ten percent of total area needs to be protected in order to sustain development and the countries of the region are seriously behind that benchmark.

This illustration shows positive and negative developments in areas such as household waste per capita, urban environment Quality, biodiversity and number of private and commercial cars, see the other illustrations in this collection for more information.

The graph shows Dobris+3: overall pan-european assessment. It describes positive or negative developments within various environmental branches, such as climate change, biodiversity and urban environment, the occurence of environmental policies as well as the principal drivers of said environmental developments.

Presentation of impact analysis from the Europe and Asia GLOBIO2 analysis and scenarios prepared for the GEO-3 publication. Much of Arctic Russia is very sparsely populated and will remain one of the World's few wilderness areas.

Poster that was prepared as a proof of concept in the development of the GLOBIO2 model. The greater Amazonian region is a giant mega watershed with many remote areas with very little development and this area harbours a massive amount of water resources for the population in the densily inhabited areas downstream, as well as areas of very high and unique biodiversity.

Analysis of the suggested development of impact on ecosystems through human activities. The GLOBIO-2 model uses settlements and infrastructure, such as roads, pipelines and powerlines as proxies for stress and fragmentation.

Changes in the Greater Asian Mountains area with reduced biodiversity and ecosystem function as a result of human development in infrastructure and associated resource exploitation between 2000 and 2030, given different scenarios. Security first and Markest first indicate situations where market deiven forces determine rate and extent of development while policy first represents a moderate growth rate.

The development of human settlements and the road network linking them together are fragmenting natural habitats especially for larger mammals, such as bears, wolves or reindeer. The nature loses its status as wilderness.

Analysis of the suggested development of impact on ecosystems through human activities. The GLOBIO-2 model uses settlements and infrastructure, such as roads, pipelines and powerlines as proxies for stress and fragmentation.

Presentation of areas where infrastructure development, intense land use or agriculture has resulted in biodiversity loss in the Greater Asiam Mountain region. The locations illustrate some of the great variety in the region and are presented in the 'Fall of the Water' report

Presentation of impact analysis from the Europe GLOBIO2 analysis and scenarios prepared for the GEO-3 publication. In addition to the human impact on the mountains of Southern Norway this also displays selected protected areas.

Based on population pressures the GLOBIO2 model has assessed the current and future human impacts on Great Ape (Orangutan) habitat in Southeast Asia. The remaining forests are projected to be subject to piecemal fragmentation and loss of wilderness characteristics, in the Orangutan range.

Presentation of impact analysis from the Europe GLOBIO2 analysis and scenarios prepared for the GEO-3 publication. In addition to the human impact on the mountains of Southern Norway this also displays selected protected areas.

Modelling, using the GLOBIO1 model, over the Arctic, assessing the impacts on the environment based on infrastructure development between 1990 and 2050 in three different scenarios. The development of roads, pipelines and powerlines fragments the natural habitats and reduces the wilderness qualities.