IUCN

In 1990, the Bundala lagoons of Sri Lanka became the country's first Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance for migratory waterfowl. In 1992, Bundala was upgraded to a National Park. This guide to the habitats, animals and plant species currently present in Bundala National Park stems from a survey on the status of the park's biodiversity conducted by IUCN's Country Office in Sri Lanka. It is hoped that this guide will raise awareness of this important protected area.

The South Asian region can be considered a herpetofaunal "hotspot" with its high degree of species richness and diversity of amphibian and reptilian fauna. Unfortunately, high population density and population growth are putting enormous pressure on the region's natural resources and ecosystems, and as a result five amphibian species and 31 reptilian species from this region are listed as globally threatened in the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

This document is the product of extensive consultation between EC policy advisers and task managers dealing with biodiversity and the environment, and those working on natural resource and non-natural resource issues. The important issue of integrating biodiversity into development cooperation policy and practice is addressed. It highlights the need to realise biodiversity's full potential to support development while addressing the direct and underlying causes of its loss.

A companion document to the Strategic Approach document, this guide reviews the lessons learned from the various agency initiatives to integrate biodiversity issues into development cooperation programmes. The lessons learned have been condensed into a set of Guiding Principles which aim to ensure that development cooperation projects and programmes are effective and sustainable, and take full account of environmental security and biodiversity issues.

This document is the product of extensive consultation between EC policy advisers and task managers dealing with biodiversity and the environment, and those working on natural resource and non-natural resource issues. The important issue of integrating biodiversity into development cooperation policy and practice is addressed. It highlights the need to realise biodiversity's full potential to support development while addressing the direct and underlying causes of its loss.

A companion document to the Strategic Approach document, this guide reviews the lessons learned from the various agency initiatives to integrate biodiversity issues into development cooperation programmes. The lessons learned have been condensed into a set of Guiding Principles which aim to ensure that development cooperation projects and programmes are effective and sustainable, and take full account of environmental security and biodiversity issues.

This set of 20 4-page briefs aims to raise awareness about biodiversity issues within EC development cooperation. The briefs are broken down into three types, including policy, sector and background biodiversity briefs. The first two indicate important issues to be considered by policy makers and technical advisers at policy, programme and project levels, and the third category summarizes topics and legal responsibilities for a general audience.

11% of all coral reefs have been damaged beyond recovery or totally destroyed; another 16% were damaged in 1998 by climate change related to coral bleaching. More than 50% of the world’s mangrove forests have been cleared without understanding the enormous value of these muddy coastal forests. Seagrass beds have had similar losses in many areas. This book was written for practicing resource managers and educators in developing countries.