Goal 15: Life on Land

Definition

Goal 15: Life on Land is one of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, aimed at protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, managing forests sustainably, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss. This goal emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems for the benefit of people and the planet, connecting ecological health with social and economic stability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goal 15 aims to protect ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, which are essential for sustaining biodiversity and human livelihoods.
2. It emphasizes the need to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil, which are vital for food security and climate resilience.
3. The goal promotes sustainable management of forests to ensure they provide essential resources while also preserving their ecological functions.
4. Targeting biodiversity loss is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services like pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration, which benefit both people and nature.
5. Goal 15 is interconnected with other Sustainable Development Goals, as healthy land ecosystems support efforts in poverty alleviation, climate action, and sustainable cities.

Review Questions

• How does Goal 15 relate to the concept of biodiversity and its importance in maintaining ecosystem health?
  • Goal 15 highlights the significance of biodiversity as a key component in sustaining healthy ecosystems. Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience by allowing systems to recover from disturbances and providing essential services such as pollination and nutrient cycling. By aiming to halt biodiversity loss, Goal 15 seeks to ensure that ecosystems can continue to function effectively for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
• Discuss the impact of deforestation on achieving Goal 15 and the strategies that can be implemented to mitigate these effects.
  • Deforestation poses a significant threat to achieving Goal 15 by leading to habitat destruction, loss of species, and disruption of vital ecosystem services. To mitigate these effects, strategies such as implementing sustainable forestry practices, restoring degraded forests, and enforcing legal frameworks against illegal logging can be employed. These actions not only help preserve forest ecosystems but also enhance carbon storage and contribute to combating climate change.
• Evaluate the interconnections between Goal 15 and other Sustainable Development Goals in addressing global challenges like climate change and poverty.
  • Goal 15 is deeply interconnected with other Sustainable Development Goals such as climate action (Goal 13) and no poverty (Goal 1). Healthy terrestrial ecosystems play a critical role in climate regulation by acting as carbon sinks, thus contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, protecting land resources can enhance food security and livelihoods for vulnerable populations. The collaborative approach among various goals fosters holistic solutions to tackle complex global challenges.

Related terms

Biodiversity:

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, crucial for ecosystem resilience and human well-being.

Deforestation:

The large-scale removal of trees from forested areas, leading to habitat loss, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and disruption of local ecosystems.

Sustainable Forestry: Forest management practices that maintain the ecological balance while providing timber and non-timber resources for present and future generations.