Biological diversity

A new millenium is a fine opportunity to reflect on humanity's relationship with the rest of life on Earth - its biodiversity. Are natural ecosystems and species essential to our own success? And are we destroying them? The answers lie within this unique volume. An essential read for environmentalists, businesses and students alike, this publication contains colour maps, tables and figures summarising the state of the planet.

Biodiversity is increasingly regarded as a resource for rural development and organic agriculture as a production and marketing method that ensures a more productive future for our species and life-support systems. This publication contains the proceedings of a global gathering in May 1999 in Vignola (Italy) to discuss a declaration and action plan for linking together the organic agriculture and nature conservation movements.

This regional session of the GBF brought together over 120 participants from 22 countries, ranging from indigenous comunity representatives to members of intergovernmental organisations. It was designed to feed directly into the deliberations of the CBD, in particular the discussion of SBSTTA (Jan-Feb 2000). Selected themes reflected key SBSTTA5 agenda items, and also highlighted regional concerns.

In the European Union methods of farm production in accordance with the demands of environmental protection and conservation of landscape are regulated by the European Council. Several Polish regional and national programs are planned, regarding mainly the protection of biodiversity on farmlands, promotion of organic agriculture, soil erosion prevention and counteraction, as well as the depopulation of agricultural regions.

This workshop was convened in response to the clear need to document existing cases and lessons learned on the use of economic incentives in the region, and to develop a strategy and way forward for their development, use and coordination for biodiversity conservation in eastern Africa