UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Key to biodiversity conservation

Mila Ibrahimova
UNESCO

Biodiversity loss is a critical issue that threatens the survival of countless species and the stability of our planet's ecosystems. The issue is of particular concern for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are representative of more than a fifth of global biodiversity. 

With more than 75,000 species of plants and trees, as well as over 30,000 animal species identified, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are a refuge for iconic species. Today, up to 33% of the last remaining elephants, tigers and pandas and 10% of the great apes, lions and rhinos are found in these sites. However, World Heritage biodiversity is threatened by climate change and human pressures. At least 1 in 10 species is already at risk of extinction, and every 1°C increase in temperature could double the number of endangered species, according to UNESCO and IUCN’s first-ever global assessment of biological species in World Heritage sites. Urgent action is needed to protect these precious habitats and the species that call them home.