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Questions and Answers
Wondering what nature is and why protecting it is important? Our Q&A will dispel your doubts! Find out how ecosystems work, why biodiversity matters and how our everyday actions affect the environment. Protecting nature is not just a task for experts. Find out how small steps can lead to big changes. Click and find out more!"
Nature includes all aspects of the physical and biological environment, such as plants, animals, landscapes, mountains, rivers, lakes and seas. It is everything that is not man-made.
The main elements of an ecosystem are the living organisms (flora and fauna), their physical environment and the interactions between them. Ecosystems can be natural, such as forests or oceans, or man-made, such as urban parks.
Protecting biodiversity is important because each species plays a unique role in an ecosystem, contributing to its health and stability. Loss of species can lead to ecological disruption.
Natural resources are materials and components of the environment that can be used by humans, such as water, air, minerals, plants and animals. They are the basis for the survival and development of humanity.
Environmental degradation - or, in the language of experts, the deterioration of the quality and capacity of ecosystems to provide ecological services, leads to a loss of biodiversity, reduced quality of life and health problems.
Sustainable development is an approach that aims to meet the needs of present generations without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, in particular by protecting the environment and natural resources.
Human activities such as urbanisation, industry, agriculture and resource extraction are putting pressure on nature, leading to climate change, pollution and ecosystem degradation.
Protected areas are specially designated areas, such as national parks, nature reserves or Natura 2000 sites, which aim to protect biodiversity and ecosystems from the negative impacts of human activities.
This can be achieved by reducing the consumption of natural resources, promoting sustainable production and consumption methods, protecting and restoring ecosystems and reducing emissions.
The main threats include climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, over-fishing, deforestation and invasion by alien species.
Environmental education - which is also the main task of our portal - is important because it raises awareness about the importance of environmental protection and teaches how each of us can contribute to nature conservation.
Nature conservation has many benefits, including ensuring healthy ecosystems that underpin human health, providing natural resources and preserving biodiversity for future generations.