Biological diversity

Intended to promote effective application of the biodiversity Convention in coastal and marine environments. It is based in large part on the recommendation of the "Jakarta Mandate" agreed to by the Parties to the Convention at their Second Conference in Jakarta in November 1995 and which identified the major threats to marine and coastal biodiversity and the principal legal and policy measures needed to address them.

Today, there is increasing recognition that traditional and indigenous knowledge systems can provide alternative strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, a realisation that is strongly reflected in the Convention on biological diversity. However, there is a fear that this interest in traditional knowledge systems will lead to the basic human, cultural and scientific rights of indigenous people being sidelined, something the CBD fails to address adequately.

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an historic commitment by the world’s nations to conserve biodiversity, to use biological resources sustainably and to share equitably the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. It is the first global legal instrument to comprehensively address all aspects of biodiversity. The Guide illustrates the scientific, technical and legal issues which the Convention raises.

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an historic commitment by the world’s nations to conserve biodiversity, to use biological resources sustainably and to share equitably the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. It is the first global legal instrument to comprehensively address all aspects of biodiversity. The Guide illustrates the scientific, technical and legal issues which the Convention raises.

Outlines approaches to assessment of the status and sustainability of national biodiversity. Methods are introduced for biodiversity survey, assessment of the status of species and habitats, and identification of local users of biological resources and the importance and impacts of such use.

The threats to the forests of tropical America have been the centre of international environmental concern for some time, yet the material in this atlas highlights the continuing extent of scientific uncertainty over the critical issues that will determine the future use and conservation of these forests. Preceded by Asia and the Pacific, 1991; Africa, 1992 (both now out of print), this atlas completes the series.