Convention on Biological Diversity

About: Convention on Biological Diversity is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2232 publications have been published within this topic receiving 65599 citations. The topic is also known as: CBD & United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

Compromising South Africa's natural biodiversity - inappropriate herbivore introductions

Abstract: THE INTRODUCTION OF NON-NATIVE species can affect natural habitats in ways that are often difficult to quantify but that, despite their potential benefits, pose an increasing global threat to biodiversity. As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, South Africa is committed to preserving the natural biota. An analysis of a number of private wildlife operations in the arid/semi-arid regions of South Africa has revealed an alarming degree of undesirable large mammal introductions. The extent of non-native species in private wildlife operations ranged between 10 and 57%, with two-thirds of all operations surveyed having 25% or more non-native species present. Such introductions intended to enhance local diversity so as to improve the economic viability of these operations, but, at present, the ecological as well as economic costs appear to outweigh the benefits. Private wildlife operations have the potential, however, to contribute significantly to the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity if appropriate precautionary measures are adopted when introducing non-native species. Local biodiversity may be increased through the introduction of non-indigenous species, but, it has been argued, the loss of sensitive species (that is, those confined to certain microhabitats, endemics, etc.) as a result of competitive exclusion and associated effects ultimately diminishes regional landscape diversity as well as global diversity and ecosystem functioning. As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, South Africa is obliged to control the introduction of non-native species either through eradication or by preventing the further introduction of such species. The government has drafted a policy on the threat of such non-native species to the country ’s biodiversity, to increase understanding of the problems associated with such introductions, and to promote the sustainable use of South Africa’s indigenous resources. Critical to the success of such a policy is its acceptance and effective implementation by both state organizations and private individuals. The recent resurgence of interest in game farming/ranching in southern Africa has been revealed as a sustainable alternative to livestock farming, especially in semi-arid areas where low rainfall precludes cropping and livestock production is marginal. Owing to the extirpation of a majority of native species through hunting and habitat transformation, many wildlife operations rely for their economic viability on the re-introduction of large herbivores as well as the introduction of species that do not occur naturally, but at unrecognized cost to ecological integrity and long-term sustainability. The translocation of wildlife species as an important conservation management tool or as a means of generating economic activity (tourism, hunting) is a worldwide phenomenon, but those involving exotic species generally result in serious problems for conservation and management and species are often introduced into areas beyond their natural range. Many non-native large mammal species, particularly ungulates, occur on private farms and reserves in southern Africa. Despite the recognized problems incurred by the spread of terrestrial and aquatic alien plants and invasion by smaller mammals (mice, rats), it has been suggested that alien mammals are seldom invasive in South Africa even though the translocation of these species beyond their historical range is commonplace. Little attention has been paid South African National Parks, P.O. Box 20419, Humewood, Port Elizabeth, 6013 South Africa. Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit, Zoology Department, University of Port Elizabeth, P.O. Box 1600, Port Elizabeth, 6000 South Africa.

Antarctica and the strategic plan for biodiversity

Abstract: The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, adopted under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, provides the basis for taking effective action to curb biodiversity loss across the planet by 2020—an urgent imperative. Yet, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, which encompass 10% of the planet’s surface, are excluded from assessments of progress against the Strategic Plan. The situation is a lost opportunity for biodiversity conservation globally. We provide such an assessment. Our evidence suggests, surprisingly, that for a region so remote and apparently pristine as the Antarctic, the biodiversity outlook is similar to that for the rest of the planet. Promisingly, however, much scope for remedial action exists.

Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation: progress and challenges

Abstract: Resilient ecosystems are vital to human well-being and are increasingly recognised as critical to supporting communities’ efforts to adapt to climate change. The governing bodies of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are encouraging parties to adopt ‘ecosystem-based adaptation’ (EbA) approaches, which utilise biodiversity and ecosystem services to support climate change adaptation. These approaches are wide ranging and include mangrove restoration to buffer against storm surges; watershed management to protect against droughts and floods; rangeland management to prevent desertification; and sustainable management of fisheries and forests to ensure food security. This article examines the emergence of EbA in international legal frameworks for climate change and biodiversity and progress towards implementation. The EbA concept is potentially powerful in catalysing international and national commitments to act due to its key defining features of a focus on societal adaptation rather than ecocentricism, and a targeting of the immediate adaptation needs of the poorest and most vulnerable communities who are adversely affected by climate change. However, examination of national policy and practice in two least developed countries, Samoa and Cambodia, reveals that institutional and legal barriers at national level can pose significant challenges to operationalising EbA to achieve adaptation objectives.