Ecosystem services and biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean harbor 50% of the world's biodiversity on just 16% of the Earth's land surface, and possess nearly a third of the world's water resources. This natural wealth sustains ecosystem services essential for social well-being and the economy. However, the region's ecosystems face severe threats from habitat transformation, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation—pressures exacerbated by weaknesses in governance, economic and technological factors, demographic dynamics, and policy failures.