Biodiversity is essential to the survival of the human race, but our activities are changing ecosystems, like the case of the humble bee that is now fleeing pesticide-filled fields, where its numbers have fallen dramatically, to our polluted cities, where

Focus: Boosting Biodiversity

2010 is the   International Year of Biodiversity

Do you know that 36% of plants   and animals species is endangered?

Their loss would seriously   harm agriculture.

In Europe, the lack of biodiversity   costs 12 billion of euro every year.

The diminution of flora and fauna   is not the only problem.

We must also protect ourselves   from invasive species

coming from tropical countries   that destroy the surrounding environment.

In the first reportage, Julie Martin   tell us about zebra mussels

a species from the Caspian Sea, which is   destroying the fauna and flora. Let's see.

Ecosystems in Europe are under threat.   Human activity is not the only factor.

Introduced into Europe,   intentionally or not,

many alien species   are endangering biodiversity

and threatening the fragile balance   of the environment we live in.

The problem is greatly   and mistakenly underestimated.

As well as environmental damage,   this alien species

brings about serious   socio-economic consequences.

In northern Spain,   in the Ebro river basin,

alien species have colonised the river   and its tributaries.

the zebra mussels arrived   in Europe on boats.

They are inedible,   multiply at a rapid rate

and cause damage to the economy   and environment where they take root.

The main problem with this mussel   is its capacity to reproduce,

and its filtering activity,   which cause a decrease

in the oxygen and nutrient levels   and an increase in water transparency.

This brings about a loss of biodiversity   in these waters

and causes the displacement   of native species.

It is not just the environment that suffers.   The river water is used for irrigation.

Zebra mussels have made their way   into the irrigation systems.

This filter which is used to trap stones,

has been completely ruined   and cannot be used for irrigation.

We have to clean it out in order   to use it again for irrigation.

The Spanish authorities   have set up a system

to monitor the reproduction   of the larvae and mussels.

which are the main cause of the invasion,   have also been introduced.

Today, zebra mussels   are present in large areas of Europe,

where they are causing lots of damage.   Their propagation must be stopped.

Like all other invading species,   zebra mussels don't acknowledge borders

so cooperation on a European level   is absolutely essential.

protecting fauna and local agriculture   from external enemies

coming sometimes from far-off countries.

Before seeing how to fight against them,   let's take a step back

to understand what biodiversity means   and why it is so important for mankind.

You are a member of the Biodiversity   Intergroup in the European Parliament.

You come from the WWF,   and you are an expert on biodiversity.

Mrs Gutiérrez-Cortines, first, can you   help us understand what biodiversity is?

Biodiversity is all the wild animals   and plants that we have in the world.

different kinds of species,   and they are there.

But in Europe we have a specific policy   to defend the wild animals

and the wild species of all kinds   of animals that are in Europe.

At the same time we understand   that if some animal lives in a place

we need to protect   the space where it lives.

That's why we also   have to talk about habitat.

because if we destroy the place   they cannot live.

Andreas Baumüller, why is it important   to respect biodiversity?

Can't we accept that there is   a natural evolution in species and flora?

have a duty to give a place   for species in Europe -

for the brown bear,   for the Iberian lynx, for ants,

Secondly, there are a lot of benefits   which nature provides to us.

Also a lot of medical plants   have helped us, given us health.

Medicines very often are based on plants.

that only about half of the species   are in a good state

and only about one-third of the habitats,   like forests, are in a good state.

That puts a lot of pressure   on nature and on the environment.

Is it just a problem of destruction or is it   also a problem of changes in species,

because of pollution and human activity?

In principle, we live very unsustainably   in the world,

so we're consuming 2.5 times more   than we have available in the world.

For example, we have very intensive   agriculture in Europe,

which destroys nature   and doesn't leave space for nature.

What we need to have   is more space for nature.

Space for nature in the field,   but also in the different policies -

You're suggesting agriculture   is against nature.

Many animals live close to agriculture,   and many wild animals need agriculture.

We know that in a lot of farms   animals come from the woods

and they eat from the trees,   they eat almonds,

they eat many things   that are planted by man.

And many times the animals eat birds   and the rest of the time they eat corn.

So we need to have corn and water   if we want animals.

We are going to see   what we need to do now.

We now know that biodiversity   is essential for our survival.

Now let's see what we've done so far   to try to change this situation.