Abstract

In line with the 1.5 degree target of the Paris Agreement to limit the greenhouse effect, the desire for one or more simple target parameters is also repeatedly expressed for the conservation of biodiversity. These should enable meaningful and at the same time easy-to-communicate targets to be set for biodiversity in Germany.

There are already various international and national approaches from different disciplines that deal with biodiversity indicators. In order to be able to better assess the actual needs of different target groups for such simple parameters and the actual opportunities, limitations and risks, a targeted expert discussion is necessary.

In Chapter 2, this study, which was produced with the support of the BfN, first sheds light on the background and terminology of indicators and explains existing indices, i.e. highly aggregated biodiversity parameters. In the following, researched international and national parameters and indicators relating to biodiversity are described (Chapter 3). A selection of indices and composite indicators is analysed and evaluated in Chapter 4. Aggregated indicators from other disciplines such as climate and economy and positive experiences, including the constellation of actors, are included (Chapter 5) and compared with examples of success/failure (Chapter 6). Potential success factors for the social relevance of the parameters are derived from this (Chapter 7). Finally, the potential benefits of such indicators are outlined (Chapter 8).

Authors
Grunewald, Karsten; Zieschank, Roland; Syrbe, Ralf-Uwe; Behrendt, Siegfried; Henseling, Christine; Sievi, Marguerite
Fields of research

Resources, economies and resilience