The deep sea is the oldest and largest biome on Earth, yet we have little knowledge of the ecosystems and processes in these dark, hidden depths. Only in the last two decades have new technologies enabled scientists to start exploring this last frontier – and their discoveries are fascinating but alarming: the deep sea is teeming with life but is already showing clear signs of anthropogenic impacts despite its remoteness. Many vulnerable deep-sea habitats and communities are being destroyed by fishing and are under threat from increasing exploitation of their mineral and living resources.

Since 2003, the protection, conservation and sustainable use of habitats, ecosystems and biodiversity in the deep sea and high seas have been on the agenda of international meetings. However, our knowledge is insufficient, and the existing governance and management systems are inadequate, to develop, implement and enforce concerted, effective action.

Deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystems responds to key questions, including: where do we find vulnerable deep sea and high sea ecosystems, what are the goods and services they provide, and how are they affected or threatened by existing or emerging human activities and climate change.

Deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystems scopes new ways and perspectives for answering these questions by applying modern methods and concepts used in the context of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. With input from leading experts, the report highlights gaps in socio-economic and governance knowledge, analyses shortcomings in assessment methodologies and valuation concepts, and identifies research needs. This results in strong arguments for urgent action to protect and conserve the deep waters, seabed, and high seas, and for the governance and sustainable management of human activities impacting on them. The deep sea is of crucial importance for life on Earth - we have to stop irreversible damages before it is too late.

In 2003, UNEP and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO published 'A survey of global and regional marine environmental assessments and related scientific activities' in response to the call of the UN General Assembly (Resolution 57/141) and the Heads of States and Governments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to establish a regular process for the global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment. Today, the urgency to understand the state and functioning of our oceans is even greater than ever. In December 2006, the 61st session of the United nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution (A/RES/61/222) on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, renewing the commitment of Member Stats to support the implementation of the start-up phase: the Assessment of Assessments of the Regular Process.

This sequel builds on the 2003 survey to provide a starting point for the Assessment of Assessments. It lays out the components of an effective assessment and summarizes the key considerations for establishing an assessment process, the findings of this latest survey, an analysis of gaps and emerging issues. It also draws lessons from completed assessment processes.

The report is supported by an interactive online database tool which enables the user to search through assessments and activities relating to the marine envisionment, providing information on the activities and their implementation.

The report and database together are intended to inform and facilitate the task of the Group of Experts undertaking the Assessment of Assessments by providing easy access to essential background information. These tools also provide a valuable new resource for decision makers having to deal with marine environmental issues.

Biodiversity makes possible all forms of economic activity. Damage to components of biodiversity have economic consequences, the impacts of which fall most heavily on the poor. In few contexts is this as clear as in the case of mangrove ecosystems and their dependent human populations. Mangroves support livelihoods in providing habitat for food species, timber for dwellings, cooking and heat, and many other subsistence and commercial activities. Mangroves also provide protection of the coastline from erosion and storm surges. The roles of mangroves are now being realized, but only as the general trend for this valuable habitat is decline.

This report presents a country profile for 19 countries of West and Central Africa, considering the status, distribution, biodiversity, uses, threats and drivers of change for their mangroves. Although there is considerable work being undertaken to research this habitat at the national, regional and global level, there are still significant gaps in information, emphasizing a need for continued efforts to improve assessment in the region. This report concludes that there has been a decline in mangrove cover in the region over the last quarter of a century, and that there will be consequences as a result of this decline.

• The current research context;
• Our multi disciplinary methodological approach to collecting, analysing and integrating different data types to achieve comparative analysis of 17 different NTFP case studies (in Mexico and Bolivia), based around a framework of 6 hypotheses and 40 research questions;
• Our conclusions as to what factors influence the success and failure of NTFP commercialisation;
• Our policy recommendations