IUCN Report Highlights Severe Impact of Human Activities on Land and Ecosystems

According to the “Global Land Outlook: Ecological Connectivity and Land Restoration” report released at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, nearly one-third of Earth’s land has been significantly altered by human activities. The report notes that over 60% of rivers are dammed or diverted, disrupting water flows and fish migrations, as seen in the Mekong River. Expansion of cities, roads, railways, and farmland has fragmented natural habitats, and around 40% of land is degraded, affecting nearly half of humanity. The report urges all countries to prioritize ecological connectivity to ensure the free movement of species, continuous flow of water and nutrients, and healthy ecosystems. Successful examples include the European Green Belt, Costa Rica’s wildlife corridors, and Indigenous agroforestry projects in Bolivia.