PHOTO(S): © Beau Wrigley
This goal describes how successfully the richness and variety of marine life is being maintained around the world.
People value the existence of a diverse array of species for their intrinsic qualities and their contribution to the structure and function of resilient ecosystems. The risk of species extinction generates great emotional and moral concern for many people. Furthermore, people donate large sums of money to help conserve species and habitats.
This goal assesses the conservation status of species based on the best available global data through two subgoals: Species and Habitats. Species are assessed because they are what one typically thinks of in relation to biodiversity. We also assess Habitats because only a small proportion of marine species worldwide have been mapped and assessed, so we consider habitats a proxy for the condition of the broad suite of species that depend on them.
We calculate each of these subgoals separately and weigh them equally when calculating the overall goal score. A score of 100 means all species are at very low risk of extinction, and all habitats are conserved.