Biodiversity underpins all life on land and below water and provides a wealth of benefits to society. Yet, we are losing species at a rate 100 to 1000 times faster than expected, and unsustainable agricultural practices contribute towards this decimation of plants, insects, and animals.  

To help tackle biodiversity loss and track biodiversity gains, IFAD has adopted a new biodiversity core (outcome) indicator, 3.2.4. ‘Biodiversity improvements at ecosystem-level’ as part of its Biodiversity Strategy 2022-2025. This comprehensive guidance document provides a narrative and rationale for the selection of this indicator, as well as guidance for its application, and case studies.