Transcript Conservation of Biodiversity

Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation of Biodiversity
International Organizations
International Agreements
National organizations and laws
Protected areas
Protected species
International Organizations
World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Founded in 1948
Over 980 members in 140 countries
Governments and NGO’sHeadquarters: Switzerland
“To influence, encourage and assist societies
throughout the world to conserve the integrity and
diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of
natural resources is equitable and ecologically
sustainable.”
6 Commissions of IUCN
World Commission on Protected Areas
(WCPA)
Species Survival Commission (SSC)
Environmental Economic & Social Policy
(CEESP)
Ecosystem Management (CEM)
Education & Communication (CEC)
Environmental Law (CEL)
United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP)
Founded in 1972 after the Stockholm Conference
(UN conference on environment)
58 countries
Works with governments to promote
environmentally sound development
“To provide leadership and encourage partnership
in caring for the environment by inspiring,
informing and enabling nations and peoples to
improve their quality of life without
compromising that of the future generations”
UNEP continued
Information programmes:
Global Resource Information Database (GRID)
International Registry of Potentially Toxic
Chemicals (IRPTC)
World Conservation and Monitoring Centre biodiversity assessment
World Wildlife Fund for Nature
(WWF)
Founded in 1961 by wildlife enthusiasts
World’s largest private (i.e. non-governmental)
international conservation organization
Headquarters in Switzerland
~50 offices around the world
Promotes awareness of conservation issues and
raises money for protection of species and habitats
Through research, education, lobbying,
campaigns, support of other organizations
Six Global Issues (WWF)
Climate change
Living waters
Forests for Life
Endangered Seas
Species
Toxics
Greenpeace
Founded in 1971 by a small group
protesting against nuclear testing in AK
NGO
40 countries across Europe, the Americas,
Asia and the Pacific
Research, education, lobbying, campaigns,
peaceful acts of civil disobedience
Greenpeace campaigns to
Stop climate change
Protect ancient forests
Save the oceans
Stop whaling
Say no to genetic engineering
Stop the nuclear threat
Eliminate toxic chemicals
Encourage sustainable trade
How do governmental
organizations and NGO’s differ
in their approaches,speed of
response, use of the media,
diplomatic constraints and
enforceability?
International Agreements
Convention of International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Drafted in 1963 by IUCN members
80 countries agreed in 1973
Now 160 countries have implemented the convention
varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000
species of animals (5,000) and plants (25,000)
Not one species protected by CITES has become
extinct as a result of trade since the Convention
Banned trade of ivory in 1990
Convention on Biological
Diversity
Result of 1992 Earth Summit in Rio - over 100
countries signed
Ratified in 1993
Heavily criticized for being weak  many
countries have developed their own national
strategies
Requirements of signatories:
Adopt national action plan and strategy
Establish protected areas
Restore habitats
Protect threatened species
Respect and preserve knowledge of indigenous peoples
World Conservation Strategy
Proposed by IUCN, UNEP, WWF in 1980
Signed by 30 countries
Now referred to as “Caring for the Earth: A
Strategy for Sustainable Living”
Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
Maintain ecological processes and life support
systems
Preserve genetic diversity
Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems
Protected Areas
Desirable characteristics of reserves
Large enough for viable populations (including large
carnivores)
In one block - not too spread out or fragmented
Minimize edge:area ratio ( edge effects)
Corridors to connect smaller areas
Legislation or purchase to protect it
Variety of habitats
Community support
Financial support
Protected Species
Name the advantages and disadvantages to
species-based approach to conservation