Aim and Scope of the Study

Abstract

The world’s ecosystems are presently undergoing extensive change. Figures on worldwide land use indicate that predominantly ecologically diverse natural areas are being transformed into homogenized agroecosystems. At the same time, red lists of threatened species have repeatedly been extended, accompanied by renewed estimates on accelerated rates of the gradual extinction of species. In addition, there are signs of an increasing decline in the world’s genetic diversity. Altogether, these empirical facts are attracting public attention as evidence of the loss of global biodiversity that has occurred over the last 50 years and that has reached unprecedented dimensions.