Plants

Found in a variety of forms and sometimes with very attractive flowers, cacti and other succulents have elicited widespread interest and tremendous popularity worldwide. Although the subject of a certain amount of debate, about 10,000 species of plant are recognised as belonging to the succulent group. Of these, an estimated 2,000 are threatened with global extinction in the wild and many more are regionally or nationally threatened.

Collection of data sheets designed to help identify various species of fauna with drawings (black and white), maps and concise descriptions. It is a useful tool for management and scientific authorities, customs officials, and all others involved in implementing and enforcing CITES.

With the help of photographs and general descriptions, this guide is intended to assist customs officers and others involved in the control of plant trade to identify a number of them, and to increase the awareness of the general public by drawing their attention to those species that are endangered.

With almost 5000 island and islets, the Mediterranean comprises one of the largest groups of islands in the world. With its wealth of species, high degree of endemism, long history and tolerance of all kinds of disruptions, it is of extremely high value to global biodiversity. However, over the last few decades, major socio-economic changes have increased the negative impact of human activity in the region and today, the islands are extremely vulnerable.

Increasing demands on the world's natural resources pose a serious threat to palm biodiversity. This action plan identifies the most threatened palm species in order to present recommendations for conservation measures that cater to their specific requirements, and to provide strategic guidelines for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of the many palms that provide food, construction material, and an important source of revenue for many people.

This action plan chronicles the threats faced by wild orchids, but more importantly to critical habitats that host extraordinarily high orchid diversity and endemicity. It explores and recommends specific ways that national and local government, legislators, scientists and orchid conservationists as well as growers can all help to reverse present trends.

An interactive database and dynamic map of plants and forests in Ghana accompanies this report.

This series presents the results of an investigation by IUCN’s Global Change Programme into the possible implications of predicted global change for natural systems and their management. This publication examines issues specific to marine ecosystems.