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Terrestrial Biodiversity

Eleni, David, Hailey

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Many ways to definebiodiversity

Variety of plants, animals, andmicroorganisms

Diversity at many levels Genes Species Ecosystems

Landscapes

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Anthropogenic Threats to Biodiversity

Habitat destruction

Over-harvesting

Pollution

Invasive species

Human-induced climate change

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Problems in creating an effective regime

Definition of the problem

Application of the principle of national sovereignty

vs. the principle of the common heritage ofhumankind

Resistance to strong legal obligations by developingstates (high biodiversity)

Inconsistent support from US and otherindustrialized states

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Convention on Biological Diversity

Formal negotiations: 5 sessions, July 1991 - May 1992

Signed by 153 countries at 1992 Earth Summit

Three objectives: Conservation of biological diversity Sustainable use of its components

Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of

the use of genetic resources

Party obligations: Inventory and monitor biodiversity

Incorporate concepts into national strategies and

economic development

Preserve indigenous conservation practices

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Implementation Issues

Comprehensive approach (as opposed to sectoral)

Encompasses socio-economic issues Sharing of benefits from use of genetic resources Biosafety

Solution: the COP requires certain implementationactions and negotiated protocols to establish concrete

commitments

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Efforts to strengthen the regime

Seven work programs in critical areas

Current conservation measures are largely

ineffective, lack precise language

Work programs are main ways parties implementconvention commitments

Guidelines for national implementation Identify tasks to be implemented at intl level Opportunities for collaboration with other treaties

Still not coherent and no way to monitorimplementation at national level

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Failure to meet goals

Did not meet global goals to reducebiodiversity loss

Why? Insufficient implementation of the convention

Did not integrate biodiversity issues into broader

policies

Lack of attention to underlying drivers of

biodiversity loss

Insufficient inclusion of benefits of biodiversity in

economic systems

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Protocols

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Entered into force September 2003

Countries must take precautionary measures to

prevent LMOs (living modified organisms) from

causing harm to biodiversity and human health

Nagoya Protocol Access to Genetic Resourcesand Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits

Arising from Their Utilization Adopted in October 2010

Intended to clarify and implement the third objective

of the CBD

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Convention on Wetlands ofInternational Importance (Ramsar)

is an intergovernmental treaty that provides theframework for national action and internationalcooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands

and their resources. (Ramsar)

wise use principle focuses on one ecosystem

why wetlands?

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Convention of Conservation of MigratorySpecies of Wild Animals (CMS)

aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratoryspecies throughout their range. It is an intergovernmentaltreaty concerned with the conservation of wildlife and

habitats on a global scale (CMS)

Under the UNEP Organizes species into an appendix similar to CITES

Special protections of particular species such asEuropean bats, cetaceans, seals in wadden sea, gorillas,and migratory waterbirds

http://www.cms.int/about/treaties.htmhttp://www.cms.int/about/treaties.htmhttp://www.cms.int/about/treaties.htm

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Ecosystem Services?

- Provisioning Services

- Regulating Services

- Supporting Services

- Cultural Services

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International Union for Conservation ofNature (IUCN)

Central mission to conserve biodiversity anddemonstrate how biodiversity is fundamental inaddressing challenges such as climate change, sustainable

development and food security (IUCN)

top notch scientists set the red list which is acomprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the

conservation status of plant and animal species (red list)

establishes a non biased and transparent index to monitorspecies and provide global context for local conservationactivity

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Local Knowledge

Each party required to respect, preserve and maintain

knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and

local communities (CBD).

Comes from local and indigenous communities usuallytransmitted through generations orally

Mainly deals with practical nature

creates initiatives for better exchange and cross-fertilization between knowledge systems in an equal,legitimate, and transparent way, in order to supportmore sustainable ecosystem stewardship globally (localknowledge portal)

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UN Convention to Combat Desertification

To develop national andsubregional/regional action programs bynational governments in cooperation withdonors, local populations, and NGOs

Recognizes: The physical, biological, and socioeconomic aspects

of desertification

The importance of redirecting technology transfer sothat it is demand-driven

The importance of local populations in efforts to

combat desertification

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Challenges

Bringing more scientific and technologicalinput into its operations Call for scientific-style conferences

Uncertainty regarding the proper focus ofthe regime Environmental or development treaty?

Fighting desertification or poverty?

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References

Chasek, Pamela S., Downie, David L., and Brown, Janet Welsh. Global

Environmental Politics, 6thed. Westview Press, 2014.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/about/red-list-overview

Convention on Biological Diversity. "Article 8(j) - Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices."

Article 8(j) - Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices. UNEP, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013..

Ramsar Convention. "The Ramsar Convention and Its Mission."Ramsar Convention. Danone-Evian

Fund, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. .

Convention on Migratory Species. "CMS Strategic Plan 2015-2023."Resolutions Adopted. UNEP, Nov.

2011. Web. .

"IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature."IUCN. N.p., July 2013. Web. 14 Oct.

2013. .

http://www.iucn.org/about/http://www.iucn.org/about/http://www.iucn.org/about/http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/resolutions_adopted/10_05_strategic_plan_e.pdfhttp://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-about-mission/main/ramsar/1-36-53_4000_0__http://www.cbd.int/traditional/http://www.iucn.org/about/http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/resolutions_adopted/10_05_strategic_plan_e.pdfhttp://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/resolutions_adopted/10_05_strategic_plan_e.pdfhttp://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-about-mission/main/ramsar/1-36-53_4000_0__http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-about-mission/main/ramsar/1-36-53_4000_0__http://www.cbd.int/traditional/