The loss of global biodiversity is occurring at an alarming rate. Since the 1970s, the area of tropical forests destroyed worldwide exceeds the land mass of the European Union. Animal and plant species are disappearing. Overfishing has depleted stocks around the world. Poor farming practices have depleted soils while allowing the invasion of harmful species. Destruction of wetlands has left low-lying areas extremely vulnerable to storms and natural disasters. Especially in Europe, ecosystems have suffered more human-induced damage than those on any other continent. Only about 3 per cent of Europe’s forests can be classified as undisturbed by humans, and the continent has lost more than half of its wetlands. The spread of urbanization and the over-exploitation of resources is having an enormous impact on biodiversity.