COP16 – Cardiff University research tackling biodiversity loss
2 December 2024
Researchers from Cardiff University are helping tackle biodiversity challenges, exhibiting critical research into biodiversity at the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Cali, Colombia.
The COP16 conference in 2024 focused on halting and reversing biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Dr Isa-Rita Russo from the Cardiff University School of Biosciences was invited to attend COP16 to share research into genetic diversity, to help ensure resilient ecosystems and support ecosystem services for the future.
By protecting genetic diversity, we can help to create and support robust ecosystems that will prevent further biodiversity loss and hopefully ensure stable ecosystems.
"Through presentations, case studies and conversation, we discussed the importance of genetic diversity - exploring feasible and affordable genetic diversity indicators that were adopted in December 2022 at COP15 by the Convention on Biological Diversity as part of the Kumming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
“We aim to show that monitoring and reporting on genetic diversity status and conservation is feasible and necessary for ensuring a biodiverse future,” added Dr Russo.
COP16, held between October 21 2024 and November 1 2024, is the 16th meeting of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The COP session was hosted by the Government of Colombia in the city of Cali, which is located in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world.
Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest global challenges of our time. We are witnessing habitat loss, species extinction and damage to ecosystems. Biodiversity is vital for life on Earth, and tackling biodiversity loss will be crucial in combatting climate change. By sharing our research, we hope that we can help to provide some of the solutions to tackle biodiversity loss.
