In a significant environmental development, forests across Europe witnessed an expansion of 13 million hectares between 1990 and 2014, an area comparable to the size of Greece. However, this growth has come with notable consequences. The European Union’s increasing crop consumption necessitated agricultural expansion in other regions, particularly tropical countries, leading to the deforestation of approximately 11 million hectares of forest to compensate for reduced agricultural production within the EU.
This phenomenon, termed biodiversity “leakage,” raises serious concerns regarding conservation and rewilding initiatives, especially in wealthier, industrialized nations that typically exhibit lower biodiversity. The implications of this trend highlight the urgent need for sustainable practices and a reevaluation of conservation strategies globally.
