^widespread inputs of pollutants and nutrients from various sources (industry, transport, agriculture); and
l>widespread changes in the aquatic system.

Of great importance for sustainable development in the area of nature conservation and biological diversity is the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which has the twofold aim of not only protecting and preserving biological diversity but also providing for sustainable use of its components.

In resolutely implementing this Convention, the aim is to counteract the accelerated impacts that have occurred over the last 50 years in Germany on wild animal and plant species and their habitats as well as the loss of plant and animal genetic resources. The foremost task of nature conservation is to safeguard existing natural and near-natural areas, restablish them where necessary through renaturation measures, link them together to form networks and reduce strains on them caused by inputs of pollutants.