In various parts of the world biodiversity is declining at a rapid pace. The paper tackles the situation and focuses on the insufficient attention the subject has received over the years. Firstly, the paper zooms in on different key statements on the challenges of the decline of biodiversity. Secondly, there is a focus on the contribution scientific research can make to the understanding of the main drivers of changes in biodiversity and the consequences for ecosystems. LERU’s members underline e.g. the connection between biodiversity loss and climate change to express the dire need for change. Finally, the paper proposes different recommendations to change the halting biodiversity loss, for example fostering collaborations and investing in a European infrastructure for biodiversity data and research.

This paper was written in light of the international year of biodiversity (2010).