To protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terres- trial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss have always been at the centre of considerations while policy formulation relating to the environment. Terrestrial ecosystems including forests and wetlands provide goods such as timber, raw materi- als for construction and energy and food for all. Besides, a series of ecosystem services including maintenance of soil quality, provision of habitat for biodiversity, maintenance of water quality, as well as regulation of water flow and erosion control, are provided by land ecosystems.
Goal 15 highlights how these systems contribute to reduc- ing risks of natural disasters such as floods and landslides, maintain productivity of agricultural systems while also regulating climate. It also highlights that concerted action is needed to protect, restore and promote terrestrial ecosystems.
There are 12 targets in Goal 15 to measure the chang- ing health and status of terrestrial ecosystems. A total of 16 indicators have been identified at national level to measure and monitor the progress of these targets.
