Context:
A study published in Communications Earth & Environment highlights the severe impact of agricultural expansion on wildlife, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions. The study finds that wild landscapes across the world are being rapidly converted into agricultural land to meet the rising food demand of a growing global population.
Key Findings of the Study:
Biodiversity Hotspots at Risk:
Biodiversity hotspots are regions that host unique species found nowhere else on Earth and have already lost more than 70% of their original natural vegetation. Agricultural expansion within these hotspots has resulted in:
• A 26% decline in species richness (diversity of plant and animal species)
• A 12% decrease in populations of individual species
• A 9% reduction in overall community diversity
Many species in these regions perform vital ecological functions such as pollination, seed dispersal, and natural pest control.
Agricultural Expansion Patterns:
Agriculture is expanding faster than the global average in tropical and developing regions, including:
• South America: Cerrado and Atlantic Forest
• Southeast Asia: Indo-Burma and Sundaland
• Africa: Eastern and Southern regions
Cropland within biodiversity hotspots increased by 12% between 2000 and 2019, compared to a global average increase of 9%.
High-risk zones have been identified at 3,483 locations across hotspots, covering approximately 1,741 million hectares, of which nearly 1,031 million hectares lie outside protected areas.
Case Study – Western Ghats, India:
Large tracts in the northern Western Ghats are being converted into orchards and plantations. Traditional farming systems are eroding, while land abandonment, migration of younger generations, and land sales are contributing to habitat fragmentation.
The Western Ghats are home to:
• Over 5,000 flowering plant species
• 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, and 325 globally threatened species
Research indicates that converting rocky plateaus into rice paddies or orchards leads to a sharp decline in frog diversity. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Heritage Outlook 4 (2025) identifies land-use change and development pressures as major threats to the region.
Policy and Conservation Recommendations:
• Strategically expand protected areas, prioritising habitats of rare and range-restricted species.
• Strengthen management capacity and enforcement in existing protected areas.
• Enhance productivity on existing agricultural land to reduce pressure on natural ecosystems.
• Promote international cooperation in food trade to prevent biodiversity-rich but economically vulnerable countries from converting ecosystems for agriculture.
• Involve local communities in conservation and monitoring, recognising their central role in safeguarding biodiversity.
Conclusion:
Unrestrained agricultural expansion is unsustainable in biodiversity hotspots. Protecting these ecologically critical regions is essential to prevent species extinctions, preserve ecosystem services, and enhance climate resilience.
