Biodiversity is the variety and variability between living organisms on multiple scales including genes, species, and ecosystems (Cain, Bowman, & Hacker, 2014, p. 364) (Rosser & Walpole, 2012). Terrestrial biodiversity relates to biodiversity on the land rather than in marine or aquatic ecosystems. The DPSIR model, which stands for Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Response, is a tool used by, among others, the European Environment Agency to study and organize cause-and-effect relationships relating to natural resource management and the environment while considering economic, social and scientific information (Ness, Anderberg, & Olsson, 2008).
The DPSIR framework is explained below, with reference to terrestrial biodiversity. There are links to posts with more detailed explanations of each DPSIR level.
Drivers Social, economic, or environmental developments.
Driving forces on terrestrial biodiversity include population growth (and related increases in infrastructure, food production and energy production) and economic growth. Their relationships with pressures are discussed.
Pressures Consequences of the driving forces, which in turn effect the state.
Five main pressures are identified and their effect on biodiversity is explained. These pressures are habitat change, climate change, invasive species,
State Conditions or changes in the environment.
Terrestrial biodiversity is being lost. This section includes how it is measured along with evidence of this biodiversity loss relating to both species richness loss and biotic homogenization.
Impacts Damages to the environment or society.
Explanations and examples of society-environment relations through the lens of ecosystem services provided for humans by biodiversity and related environmental problems are included in this section.
Responses Societal, decision-making measures implemented to mitigate or adapt to any of the first four phases.
Most examples of responses are attempts at reducing pressures. These include the international agreements, creation of protected areas, endangered species protection and market tools such as payment for ecosystem services programs.
My full report (including references) is also included here: sherwood_emma_tbio_breif1