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For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity have decreased. © Michael Berlfein/shutterstock.com
Biodiversity loss from trade worse than expected
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the USA, the Middle East and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM)/Germany and ETH Zurich/Switzerland showed in late 2024.
It has long been known that intensive land use in tropical regions impacts local biodiversity, but the role of trade has been underestimated, according to researchers from TUM and ETH Zurich. Previously, 20 to 30 per cent of biodiversity loss in these regions was assumed to be due to agricultural exports. The researchers have now demonstrated that international trade has caused more than 90 per cent of the loss that occurred between 1995 and 2022 because of the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land.
The team used data for the study that breaks down the global economy into sectors, regions and ecological impacts. One significant difference from previous studies is that the researchers used satellite data to consider the entire development of an area, including after farming had ceased. Earlier models did not take such fallow areas into account and thus did not reflect permanent species loss and the time needed for an ecosystem to recover.
The model also maps trade flows and how they affect land use in different regions. Over 80 per cent of land use changes in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific region during the study period were due to increased agricultural exports. The leading importers of these goods are China (26 per cent), the USA (16 per cent), the Middle East (13 per cent) and Europe (8 per cent). Hotspots include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Madagascar, where more than 50 per cent of global species loss due to land conversion is recorded. In Madagascar and Brazil, the land is mainly used for livestock grazing, while rice and oilseeds (such as palm oil) are predominant in Indonesia. In Mexico, vegetables, nuts and fruits are the main crops.
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity decreased, with less land used for agriculture and an increase in conservation and restoration measures. This applies to countries like Spain, Italy, Greece and the USA. At the same time, although biodiversity losses because of domestic consumption have decreased in Brazil and Mexico, overall losses have increased due to rising agricultural exports.
Read more on the TUM website: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/biodiversity-loss-due-to-agricultural-trade-three-times-higher-than-thought
Previous article
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity have decreased. © Michael Berlfein/shutterstock.com
Biodiversity loss from trade worse than expected
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the USA, the Middle East and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM)/Germany and ETH Zurich/Switzerland showed in late 2024.
It has long been known that intensive land use in tropical regions impacts local biodiversity, but the role of trade has been underestimated, according to researchers from TUM and ETH Zurich. Previously, 20 to 30 per cent of biodiversity loss in these regions was assumed to be due to agricultural exports. The researchers have now demonstrated that international trade has caused more than 90 per cent of the loss that occurred between 1995 and 2022 because of the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land.
The team used data for the study that breaks down the global economy into sectors, regions and ecological impacts. One significant difference from previous studies is that the researchers used satellite data to consider the entire development of an area, including after farming had ceased. Earlier models did not take such fallow areas into account and thus did not reflect permanent species loss and the time needed for an ecosystem to recover.
The model also maps trade flows and how they affect land use in different regions. Over 80 per cent of land use changes in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific region during the study period were due to increased agricultural exports. The leading importers of these goods are China (26 per cent), the USA (16 per cent), the Middle East (13 per cent) and Europe (8 per cent). Hotspots include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Madagascar, where more than 50 per cent of global species loss due to land conversion is recorded. In Madagascar and Brazil, the land is mainly used for livestock grazing, while rice and oilseeds (such as palm oil) are predominant in Indonesia. In Mexico, vegetables, nuts and fruits are the main crops.
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity decreased, with less land used for agriculture and an increase in conservation and restoration measures. This applies to countries like Spain, Italy, Greece and the USA. At the same time, although biodiversity losses because of domestic consumption have decreased in Brazil and Mexico, overall losses have increased due to rising agricultural exports.
Read more on the TUM website: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/biodiversity-loss-due-to-agricultural-trade-three-times-higher-than-thought
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity have decreased. © Michael Berlfein/shutterstock.com
Biodiversity loss from trade worse than expected
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the USA, the Middle East and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM)/Germany and ETH Zurich/Switzerland showed in late 2024.
It has long been known that intensive land use in tropical regions impacts local biodiversity, but the role of trade has been underestimated, according to researchers from TUM and ETH Zurich. Previously, 20 to 30 per cent of biodiversity loss in these regions was assumed to be due to agricultural exports. The researchers have now demonstrated that international trade has caused more than 90 per cent of the loss that occurred between 1995 and 2022 because of the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land.
The team used data for the study that breaks down the global economy into sectors, regions and ecological impacts. One significant difference from previous studies is that the researchers used satellite data to consider the entire development of an area, including after farming had ceased. Earlier models did not take such fallow areas into account and thus did not reflect permanent species loss and the time needed for an ecosystem to recover.
The model also maps trade flows and how they affect land use in different regions. Over 80 per cent of land use changes in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific region during the study period were due to increased agricultural exports. The leading importers of these goods are China (26 per cent), the USA (16 per cent), the Middle East (13 per cent) and Europe (8 per cent). Hotspots include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Madagascar, where more than 50 per cent of global species loss due to land conversion is recorded. In Madagascar and Brazil, the land is mainly used for livestock grazing, while rice and oilseeds (such as palm oil) are predominant in Indonesia. In Mexico, vegetables, nuts and fruits are the main crops.
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity decreased, with less land used for agriculture and an increase in conservation and restoration measures. This applies to countries like Spain, Italy, Greece and the USA. At the same time, although biodiversity losses because of domestic consumption have decreased in Brazil and Mexico, overall losses have increased due to rising agricultural exports.
Read more on the TUM website: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/biodiversity-loss-due-to-agricultural-trade-three-times-higher-than-thought
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity have decreased. © Michael Berlfein/shutterstock.com
Biodiversity loss from trade worse than expected
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the USA, the Middle East and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM)/Germany and ETH Zurich/Switzerland showed in late 2024.
It has long been known that intensive land use in tropical regions impacts local biodiversity, but the role of trade has been underestimated, according to researchers from TUM and ETH Zurich. Previously, 20 to 30 per cent of biodiversity loss in these regions was assumed to be due to agricultural exports. The researchers have now demonstrated that international trade has caused more than 90 per cent of the loss that occurred between 1995 and 2022 because of the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land.
The team used data for the study that breaks down the global economy into sectors, regions and ecological impacts. One significant difference from previous studies is that the researchers used satellite data to consider the entire development of an area, including after farming had ceased. Earlier models did not take such fallow areas into account and thus did not reflect permanent species loss and the time needed for an ecosystem to recover.
The model also maps trade flows and how they affect land use in different regions. Over 80 per cent of land use changes in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific region during the study period were due to increased agricultural exports. The leading importers of these goods are China (26 per cent), the USA (16 per cent), the Middle East (13 per cent) and Europe (8 per cent). Hotspots include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Madagascar, where more than 50 per cent of global species loss due to land conversion is recorded. In Madagascar and Brazil, the land is mainly used for livestock grazing, while rice and oilseeds (such as palm oil) are predominant in Indonesia. In Mexico, vegetables, nuts and fruits are the main crops.
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity decreased, with less land used for agriculture and an increase in conservation and restoration measures. This applies to countries like Spain, Italy, Greece and the USA. At the same time, although biodiversity losses because of domestic consumption have decreased in Brazil and Mexico, overall losses have increased due to rising agricultural exports.
Read more on the TUM website: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/biodiversity-loss-due-to-agricultural-trade-three-times-higher-than-thought
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity have decreased. © Michael Berlfein/shutterstock.com
Biodiversity loss from trade worse than expected
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the USA, the Middle East and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM)/Germany and ETH Zurich/Switzerland showed in late 2024.
It has long been known that intensive land use in tropical regions impacts local biodiversity, but the role of trade has been underestimated, according to researchers from TUM and ETH Zurich. Previously, 20 to 30 per cent of biodiversity loss in these regions was assumed to be due to agricultural exports. The researchers have now demonstrated that international trade has caused more than 90 per cent of the loss that occurred between 1995 and 2022 because of the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land.
The team used data for the study that breaks down the global economy into sectors, regions and ecological impacts. One significant difference from previous studies is that the researchers used satellite data to consider the entire development of an area, including after farming had ceased. Earlier models did not take such fallow areas into account and thus did not reflect permanent species loss and the time needed for an ecosystem to recover.
The model also maps trade flows and how they affect land use in different regions. Over 80 per cent of land use changes in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific region during the study period were due to increased agricultural exports. The leading importers of these goods are China (26 per cent), the USA (16 per cent), the Middle East (13 per cent) and Europe (8 per cent). Hotspots include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Madagascar, where more than 50 per cent of global species loss due to land conversion is recorded. In Madagascar and Brazil, the land is mainly used for livestock grazing, while rice and oilseeds (such as palm oil) are predominant in Indonesia. In Mexico, vegetables, nuts and fruits are the main crops.
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity decreased, with less land used for agriculture and an increase in conservation and restoration measures. This applies to countries like Spain, Italy, Greece and the USA. At the same time, although biodiversity losses because of domestic consumption have decreased in Brazil and Mexico, overall losses have increased due to rising agricultural exports.
Read more on the TUM website: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/biodiversity-loss-due-to-agricultural-trade-three-times-higher-than-thought
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity have decreased. © Michael Berlfein/shutterstock.com
Biodiversity loss from trade worse than expected
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the USA, the Middle East and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM)/Germany and ETH Zurich/Switzerland showed in late 2024.
It has long been known that intensive land use in tropical regions impacts local biodiversity, but the role of trade has been underestimated, according to researchers from TUM and ETH Zurich. Previously, 20 to 30 per cent of biodiversity loss in these regions was assumed to be due to agricultural exports. The researchers have now demonstrated that international trade has caused more than 90 per cent of the loss that occurred between 1995 and 2022 because of the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land.
The team used data for the study that breaks down the global economy into sectors, regions and ecological impacts. One significant difference from previous studies is that the researchers used satellite data to consider the entire development of an area, including after farming had ceased. Earlier models did not take such fallow areas into account and thus did not reflect permanent species loss and the time needed for an ecosystem to recover.
The model also maps trade flows and how they affect land use in different regions. Over 80 per cent of land use changes in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific region during the study period were due to increased agricultural exports. The leading importers of these goods are China (26 per cent), the USA (16 per cent), the Middle East (13 per cent) and Europe (8 per cent). Hotspots include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Madagascar, where more than 50 per cent of global species loss due to land conversion is recorded. In Madagascar and Brazil, the land is mainly used for livestock grazing, while rice and oilseeds (such as palm oil) are predominant in Indonesia. In Mexico, vegetables, nuts and fruits are the main crops.
For many importing countries, outsourcing agriculture has apparent advantages. The negative impacts on domestic biodiversity decreased, with less land used for agriculture and an increase in conservation and restoration measures. This applies to countries like Spain, Italy, Greece and the USA. At the same time, although biodiversity losses because of domestic consumption have decreased in Brazil and Mexico, overall losses have increased due to rising agricultural exports.
Read more on the TUM website: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/biodiversity-loss-due-to-agricultural-trade-three-times-higher-than-thought
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