Biodiversity

The world lives amid the greatest mass extinction since the dinosaurs perished 65 million years agoóand most of this loss is caused by human activities. Habitat loss, the introduction of exotic species through trade and travel, and climate change all contribute to biodiversity decline. Worldwatch research has examined the mystery of amphibian disappearances, the decline in bird populations, and the rapid loss of primates as part of its work on species loss. Current work focuses on sources of hope, including the potential for restoring important habitat such as forests and waterways that have long been degraded.