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Environmental information systems
Biodiversity collectively describes the billions of unique living organisms that inhabit Earth, and the interactions among them.
They represent a vital element of our lives but are under continuous threat. The main pressures on biodiversity are changes in land use (e.g., deforestation, intensive mono-culture, urbanisation), direct exploitation such as hunting and over-fishing, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species.
Preserving biodiversity is paramount, not only for its intrinsic value, but also because it provides us with e.g., clean air, fresh water, good quality soil and crop pollination. It helps us fight climate change and adapt to it, and helps reduce the impact of natural hazards. Thus, its decline has fundamental consequences for society, the economy and human health.
The European Nature Information System (EUNIS) provides key data on species, habitat types and designated sites.
Please consult the Biodiversity Information System for Europe (BISE) for further information.