Transcript 20111115_EvaMinerva_..

Information and international
biodiversity conventions
Eliezer Frankenberg
Nature and Parks Authority
What is meant by biodiversity?
'Biological diversity', or biodiversity, means the variability
among living organisms that derives from all sources
including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic
ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which
they are part.
This includes diversity within species (at a genetic level),
between species and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity at each of these levels of complexity is
characterized by:
• Variety, the number of different types
• Quantity, the number or total biomass s of any type
• Distribution, the extent and nature of geographic
spread of different types
In general terms, biodiversity conveys the biological
richness of planet Earth.
The CBD
Entered into force in 1994 and have three goals:
Conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use
of its components and the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of the
utilization of genetic resources.
Combining conservation with economy and
social justice.
In the CBD text, Article 7:
Each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate,
in particular for the purposes of Articles 8 to 10:
a. Identify components of biological diversity important for its
conservation and sustainable use having regard to an indicative list
of categories;
b. Monitor, through sampling and other techniques, the components
of biological diversity identified, paying particular attention to
those requiring urgent conservation measures and those which
offer the greatest potential for sustainable use;
c. Identify processes and categories of activities which have or are
likely to have significant adverse impacts on the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity, and monitor their effects
through sampling and other techniques; and
d. Maintain and organize, by any mechanism data, derived from
identification and monitoring activities.
What is a successful indicator?
• Scientifically valid:a) there is an accepted theory of the relationship between the indicator
and its purpose, with agreement that change in the indicator does
indicate change in the issue of concern;
b) the data used is reliable and verifiable.
• Based on available data:- so that the indicator can be produced over
time.
• Responsive to change in the issue of interest.
• Easily understandable:a) conceptually, how the measure relates to the purpose,
b) in its presentation, and
c) the interpretation of the data.
• Relevant to user’s needs.
• It is used:- for measuring progress, early-warning of problems,
understanding an issue, reporting, awareness-raising, etc.
The five core key questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is changing and to what extent? (state);
Why is it changing? (pressure);
Why is it important? (use);
What has been done and what can be done
about it? (response);
5. Do we have the means to formulate and
implement response measures? (capacity).
indicators for assessing progress
Status and trends of the components of biological
diversity
1. Trends in extent of selected biomes, ecosystems, and
habitats
2. Trends in abundance and distribution of selected
species
3. Coverage of protected areas
4. Change in status of threatened species
5. Trends in genetic diversity of domesticated animals,
cultivated plants, and Fish species of major
socioeconomic importance
Sustainable use
6. Area of forest, agricultural and aquaculture
ecosystems under sustainable management
7. Proportion of products derived from
sustainable sources
8. Ecological footprint and related concepts
Threats to biodiversity
9. Nitrogen deposition
10. Trends in invasive alien species
Ecosystem integrity and ecosystem
goods and services
11. Marine Trophic Index
12. Water quality of freshwater ecosystems
13. Trophic integrity of other ecosystems
14. Connectivity / fragmentation of ecosystems
15. Incidence of human-induced ecosystem failure
16. Health and well-being of communities who
depend directly on local ecosystem goods and
services
17. Biodiversity for food and medicine
Status of traditional knowledge, innovations and
Practices:
18. Status and trends of linguistic diversity and
numbers of speakers of indigenous languages
19. Other indicator of the status of indigenous and
traditional knowledge
Status of access and benefit-sharing:
20. Indicator of access and benefit-sharing Status of
resource transfers;
21. Official development assistance provided in
support of the Convention
22. Indicator of technology transfer
What is monitored?
Of all this, the only available data relates to the
three following topics:
2. Trends in abundance and distribution of
selected species
3. Coverage of protected areas
4. Change in status of threatened species
And becomes irrelevant when we try to
evaluate ecosystem services.
classification of ecosystem services
Service category
Provisioning
Service types
1. Food
2. Water
3. Raw materials
4. Genetic resources
5. Medicinal resources
6. Ornamental resources
Regulating
7. Air quality regulation
8. Climate regulation (including carbon sequestration)
9. Moderation of extreme events
10. Regulation of water flows
11. Waste treatment
12. Erosion prevention
13. Maintenance of soil fertility
14. Pollination
15. Biological control
Habitat/Supporting
16. Lifecycle maintenance (e.g. migratory species, nursery habitat)
17. Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural [provide opportunities for: 18. Aesthetic enjoyment
19. Recreation and tourism
20. Inspiration for culture, art and design
21. Spiritual experience
22. Cognitive development
Where are we?
• There is no Biological Survey and no funding
agency that targets biodiversity surveys.
• The NBS states that current monitoring involves
only few species and selected ecosystems and
cannot answer the needs of management.
• There is no regular monitoring at the habitat or
ecosystem level, but monitoring is held by
several bodies for various purposes.
• Development of a National Biodiversity
Monitoring Framework is now considered.
Thanks for your attention