NbS Triple Win Toolkit: Biodiversity Indicators in Context 38 Pressures Since pressures are the major contributor to the decline in biodiversity, a reduction or removal of pressures is an important aspect of biodiversity gains, and in many cases is easier to monitor andreport than biodiversity components themselves. As such, pressures’ indicators are an excellent way to report on the impact of programme funding, however the breadth of pressures across ecosystems is extensive. A consolidated pressures indicator has not been recommended as it is not considered suitably meaningful, however we strongly recommend that appropriate pressures indicators are considered at the project or programme levelas a valuable and informative way of monitoring project impacts. Further consideration should also be given to the appropriatenessof any of these indicators to be developed into headline indicators if any are likely to be relevant to a significant proportion of the funded programmes, and/or are perceived to be a priority to ICF.A selection of pressure indicators are described in Table 1. Ecotoxicology factor Measures the effects of pollutants on populations within an area of interest. Extent and quality ofwater related ecosystems This is an SDG indicator focusing on rivers, lakes, estuaries and aquifers.It consists of a number of sub-indicators assessing the extent and qualityof water in these ecosystems. Marine trophic index Measures mean trophic level of fisheries landings as an indication of whether large-bodied fish are being overexploited Nitrogen pollution The CBD recognises trends in nitrogen deposition, trends in lossof reactive nitrogen to the environment and trends in global surplusof nitrogen as important indicators against this pressure. Nitrogenpollution is particularly a problem for freshwater biodiversity. Number of instancesof illegal activities E.g. (burning, killing, trade, etc). Many forms of illegal activity constitute threats to biodiversity, for example through habitat destruction and overexploitation. Number of invasive alien species Invasive species are a significant pressure on biodiversity, particularlyin specific ecosystems such as islands. Percentage changein deforestation The loss of habitat through deforestation is a major driver of biodiversity loss, so measuring changes in deforestation rates in an area will be important. Table 1. Selection of pressures indicators from review of biodiversity indicators 29.