IPBES Sustainable Use of Wild Species Assessment - Chapter 1. Setting the Scene (original) (raw)

2022, Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

This IPBES assessment is a comprehensive and ambitious intergovernmental effort that aims to provide policy and solution-oriented approaches towards more sustainable use of wild species, recognizing the diversity of practices, uses and contexts. The core of this assessment is therefore not to evaluate the status of wild species worldwide, nor to exhaustively document the impacts of human uses on wild populations or the various biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystems that they inhabit, as unsustainable use of wild species has been extensively covered elsewhere. This assessment focuses on: (i) how sustainable use is conceptualized by different groups, (ii) the status and trends in use of wild species and its consequence for nature and nature's contributions to people, (iii) the main drivers of change, (iv) the various scenarios for the future and finally (v) the effectiveness of policies, governance systems and institutions for managing the use of wild species. (1) The use of wild species contributes directly to the well-being of billions of people globally. In some countries, wild foods contribute to food and nutrition security for one third to 100% of the nation's population or select populations within it. Plants, algae and fungi provide food, income and nutritional diversity for an estimated one in five people around the world, in particular women, children, landless farmers and others in vulnerable situations. Freshwater and marine fisheries are primary sources of animal protein, nutrients and income for hundreds of millions of people worldwide, while wild meat from terrestrial animals remains a major source of protein for some rural and urban populations. The use of wild species also provides non-material contributions by enriching people's physical and psychological experiences, including their religious and ceremonial lives. (2) Use of wild species is particularly important to people in vulnerable situations on both a day-today basis and in times of crisis. The viability of wild species as livelihood resources for all people, but especially individuals and communities in vulnerable situations, depends fundamentally on their sustainable use. In many cases, a single species may have multiple uses and contribute to human well-being in multiple ways.