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<!---Biodiversity foldout PDF: 727KB--->Global Biodiversity Outlook
 
Facts on Biodiversity & Human Well-being
 

 

Other Publications



The HERMES Story The HERMES Story (2009)

Hotspot Ecosystem Research on the Margins of European Seas (HERMES) was one of the 40 most successful projects under the EU's 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. Following completion of the project in March 2009, The HERMES Story is published jointly by HERMES and UNEP to inform policy and decision makers from around the world about the lessons learned and the amazing new insights into deep-sea biodiversity, structure, function and dynamics discovered under HERMES. The HERMES Story highlights the need for concerted action to protect the deep sea against the increasing pressures, threats and impacts from human activities and climate change, and provides inspiration for the development of similar deep-sea research projects in other regions.

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The Costs and Benefits of Forest Protected Areas for Local Livelihoods: a review of the current literature (2008)


Protected areas: an effective tool to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries? (2008)


Protecting the future: carbon, forests, protected areas and local livelihoods (2008)


State of the world's protected areas 2007 - An annual review of global conservation progress (2008)


Working Toward High Seas Marine Protected Areas (2008)


Review on the economics of biodiversity loss: Scoping the science Review on the economics of biodiversity loss: Scoping the science (2008)

This report was produced under contract to the European Commission, with the objective of providing a coherent overview of existing scientific knowledge upon which to base the economics of the review on the economics of biodiversity loss proposed as part of the Potsdam Initiative by the G8 in March 2007 ("The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity"). The project was a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, IEEP, Alterra and UNEP-WCMC.

Download the report from the European Commission website (PDF file).


The Cost of Policy Inaction: The case of not meeting the 2010 biodiversity target The Cost of Policy Inaction: The case of not meeting the 2010 biodiversity target (2008)

This report was produced under contract to the European Commission, with the objective of providing sustantive input to the review on the economics of biodiversity loss proposed as part of the Potsdam Initiative by the G8 in March 2007 ("The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity"). The project was a collaboration lead by Alterrra, and including IEEP, Ecologic, the Netherlands Environment Assessment Agency and UNEP-WCMC among others.

Download the report from the European Commission website (ZIP file).


Scoping the potential benefits of undertaking a MA-style assessment for England Scoping the potential benefits of undertaking a MA-style assessment for England (2008)

This report was produced under contract to the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with the aim of: reviewing the current evidence base for assessing ecosystem services associated with the terrestrial and marine environment; identifying the current monitoring and research gaps; exploring the policy needs for such an assessment and the extent to which these needs are currently being fulfilled by existing initiatives; enabling a critical review to be made of the case for and against undertaking a comprehensive ecosystem assessment for England in the style of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA); and concluding by reviewing the options open to Defra, making recommendations on how such work can best be taken forward. The project was lead by researchers at the University of Nottingham, working with MRAG, ORMI Consulting and UNEP-WCMC.

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Conservation Challenge No. 2: Discussion document on ecosystem structure and function

Conservation Challenge No.2: Discussion document on ecosystem structure and function (2007)

The discussion document prepared for JNCC by MRAG and UNEP-WCMC provides an overview of current definitions of ecological structure and function, and the main similarities and differences between them. It's purpose was to facilitate stakeholder consultation, which ended 31st May 2007. The objective of the project was to arrive at consensus on practical definitions of ecological structure and function. There is growing interest in the use of these concepts to apply the ecosystem approach in monitoring systems, but also a range of different definitions in use.


Download the report from the JNCC website.


Towards an integrated system for measuring the social impact of Protected
Areas : A discussion document
(2007)


Biodiversity and Poverty Reduction: The importance of biodiversity for ecosystem services Biodiversity and Poverty Reduction: The importance of biodiversity for ecosystem services (2007)

This report reviews existing scientific knowledge regarding the links between biodiversity and the sustainable provision of ecosystem services, and considers the implicatons of these links for the World's poor, and for international development policy.

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Environment on the Edge 2006 - 2007 Environment on the Edge 2006 - 2007

This publication presents five of the lectures from the 2006 - 2007 'Environment on the Edge' lecture series. It includes the following themes:

  • Europe on the edge
    Professor Jacqueline McGlade
  • Are we running out of oil?
    Dr Jeremy Leggett and Dr Ian Vann
  • The impacts of the Three Gorges Dam
    Professor Zhang Jing
  • Humans and carbon: a Faustian bargain?
    Professor Berrien Moore III
  • Valuing sustainability
    Richard Saxon CBE
  • Transport: a case of systematic sclerosis?
    Professor David Fisk

This lecture series is the result of collaboration between New Hall and St. Edmund's College, Cambridge University, the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the British Antarctic Survey. The lectures and this publication are sponsored by BP.

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Ozzy Goes Island Hopping Ozzy Goes Island Hopping

The fourth issue of the "Ozzy Ozone: Defender of our Planet" comic book series, entitled "Ozzy Goes Island Hopping" features ozone depletion and climate change with a special focus on Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

In this story Ozzy and Zoe Ozone travel from the stratosphere to visit their friends Alida, the leatherback turtle; Guno, the sand crab and Ronaldo, the red snapper in Suriname to learn about the effects of climate change in small islands and low-lying coastal states. They also journey to Fiji to meet Tau, the crested iguana to learn about the importance of phasing out HCFCs, which are gases used to replace ozone depleting substances but themselves can contribute significantly to climate change. At the end of their travels they meet Frank the Frog and Maakanaa, the Grey Heron in the Maldives to learn some simple actions that young people can take in their daily lives to help protect the ozone layer and diminish the impacts of climate change.

Ozzy Goes Island Hopping is a joint publication of UNEP, UNICEF, UNESCO and Scouts International with participation of the governments of the hosting islands.

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Millenium Development Goals Millenium Development Goals

The United Nations, in its 2000 Millennium Declaration, recognized the fundamental importance of environmentally sustainability in development and called for a new ethic of conservation and stewardship in environmental actions. This was enshrined in Millennium Development Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability. MDG Target 9, under Goal 7, is to ‘Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources.’ One of five indicators chosen to demonstrate progress towards this target is ‘Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surface area.’

This indicator acknowledges both the vital role that biological diversity plays in providing environmental goods and services and the importance of protected areas in maintaining biological diversity.

Please note: changes in the MDGs since publication of this booklet can be seen at http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/Default.aspx

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Environment on the Edge 2005 - 2006 Environment on the Edge 2005 - 2006

This PDF presents five of the lectures from the 2005-6 'Environment on the Edge' lecture series. It includes the following themes:

  • Nature's capital: the key to poverty eradication - Dr. Klaus Töpfer
  • Human development in China - Dr Zhao Baige
  • Agriculture and food production: Quo vadis - Dr Hans Rudolf Herren
  • The changing face of cities - Professor Anne Power
  • Women and conservation - Kathryn Fuller

This lecture series is the result of a collaboration between New Hall and St. Edmund's College, Cambridge University, the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the British Antartic Survey. The lectures and this publication are sponsored by BP.

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CITES Checklist and Annotated Appendices Marine and Coastal Ecosystems and Human Well-Being (2006)

Humankind depends on the oceans and coasts for its survival, with one third of the world's population living in coastal areas, approximately 4% of Earth's total land area. Global changes and a range of other drivers are causing degradation or loss of ecosystem services. Changes to ecosystem services such as food security and employment of nearly 38 million people in the fisheries industry will cause impacts that will reach far beyond the coastal zone.

This report is a synthesis of the findings from the reports of the four MA Working Groups (Conditions and Trends, Scenarios, Responses, and Sub-global Assessments) concerning marine and coastal ecosystems. The preparation of this synthesis report has been coordinated by UNEP-WCMC and UNEP's Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) in recognition that the loss of marine and coastal services has impacts on human wellbeing. The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Development Cooperation, kindly funded the preparation and publication of this report.

The aim of this synthesis report is to contribute to the dissemination of the information contained within the MA to decision-makers and a wide range of stakeholders of marine and coastal ecosystems through seven key messages.

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Environment on the Edge 2004 - 2005 Environment on the Edge 2004 - 2005

This PDF presents five of the lectures from the 2004-5 'Environment on the Edge' lecture series. It includes the following themes:

  • The Day After Tomorrow - Sir Crispin Tickell
  • Oceans on the Edge - Dr. Jane Lubchenco
  • Antartica on the Edge? - Professor Chris Rapley
  • Biodiversity on the Edge - Dr. Cristián Samper
  • Transport on the Edge - Dr. Bernard Bulkin.

This lecture series is the result of a collaboration between New Hall and St. Edmund's College, Cambridge University, the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the British Antartic Survey. The lectures and this publication are sponsored by BP.

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CITES Checklist and Annotated Appendices CITES Checklist and Annotated Appendices (2005)

This book and accompanying CD-ROM provide a checklist of the fauna and flora listed in Appendices I, II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. UNEP-WCMC produces an updated Checklist and Annotated Appendices following each Conference of the Parties to CITES.

The 2005 Checklist of CITES Species contains updates from the Thirteenth Conference of the Parties, held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2004.

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ISBN 2 88323 027 7 | This publication has now sold out.


Guidelines for Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring for Protected Areas Guidelines for Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring for Protected Areas (2005)

These Guidelines are the result of the "Building Capacity for Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment in Nepal" project. They are based on the practical experience of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre in the development of a biodiversity monitoring system for the management of the Annapurna Conservation Area. They are the result of a productive collaboration and it is hoped that they will be of wide relevance for protected area managers throughout Nepal and beyond.

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After the Tsunami: Rapid Environmental Assessment After the Tsunami: Rapid Environmental Assessment (2005)

This report is produced by the UNEP Asian Tsunami Task Force in close partnership with national environmental authorities in the affected countries. It summarizes the interim findings from ongoing environmental assessments in Indonesia, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Yemen, which are the countries that specifically requested cooperation and assistance from UNEP. In Somalia, the report is based on desk study only, as security restrictions did not allow an assessment mission to be fielded. The Government of India did not request assistance, but has shared with UNEP the initial findings of its own environmental assessment.

The assessments give evidence of environmental concerns that require serious attention and immediate action. The short-term clean-up programme must be coupled with policy development and strengthened institutions. The recovery agenda requires an 'environmental reconstruction programme', which will immediately clean up contamination hotspots, start rehabilitation of critical livelihoods and ecosystems and strengthen environmental policies and institutions.

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ISBN 92 807 2565 3


Biodiversity Trends and Threats in Europe Biodiversity Trends and Threats in Europe: development and test of a species trend indicator (2005)

At the global level, Heads of State and Government have agreed to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Within Europe, they have decided on an even more ambitious target of halting biodiversity loss in the same period.

These 2010 targets will require strong will and focussed action across a wide range of human activities and resulting pressures on biodiversity to ensure that they are reached successfully. They will also require better quality data and information to help achieve and to monitor progress.

Indicators are increasingly recognised as one of the most important forms of information for tracking progress and showing where action is reaquired.

This report provides a major contribution to the development of a species trend indicator by reviewing available data within Europe and showing how these data can be aggregated to produce an index (or composite indicator) for a range of species for which good data are already available.

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Measuring Extent and Effectiveness of Protected Areas – Indicator for meeting Global Biodiversity Targets (2005)

This paper published by the Royal Society reviews the current global extent of protected areas in terms of geopolitical and habitat coverage, and considers their value as a global indicator of conservation action or response.

The paper discusses the role of the World Database on Protected Areas and collection and quality control issues, and identifies areas for improvement, including how conservation effectiveness indicators may be included in the database to improve the value of protected areas data as an indicator for meeting global biodiversity targets.

The paper was presented at a discussion meeting held July 2004, Beyond extinction rates: monitoring wild nature for the 2010 target.

The complete publication is available from the Royal Society website.

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BINU – Experience and Guidance Biodiversity Indicators for National Use – Experience and Guidance (2005)

This 20-page booklet present the lessons learned and guidance from the project ‘Biodiversity Indicators for National Use’, or BINU for short, which was sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and others. The overall aim of the project was to develop operational national-level biodiversity indicators to support planning and decision-making in the four participating countries: Kenya, Ecuador, Ukraine and Philippines.

The project developed a process, or series of steps, in producing biodiversity indicators for national use. This report presents our experience and lessons learned so far at each stage, although it is not intended to be a detailed manual on how to undertake this work. Some examples are given of the indicators that have been developed.

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Rising to the Biodiversity Challenge Rising to the Biodiversity Challenge (2004)

This report was prepared at the request of the World Bank to highlight the suitability of the Living Planet Index and allied approaches for monitoring the state of biodiversity at national levels, with a view to reporting on progress toward the 2010 biodiversity target. It reviews the background to the 2010 biodiversity target and recent discussions of how to assess and monitor the state of biodiversity, including CBD discussions of biodiversity indicators and especially the recent meeting in London organised by the CBD secretariat, UNDP and UNEP-WCMC. It evaluates the Living Planet Index as a tool for monitoring biodiversity, considering its background, strengths and weaknesses, and discusses the opportunities for, and constraints on adapting the methodology of the LPI for use at the national level.

Authors: Martin Jenkins, Valerie Kapos and Jonathan Loh

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The Fall of the Water The Fall of the Water (2004)

This report illustrates several of the cumulative environmental impacts of piecemeal infrastructure development, population growth, water shortage and climate change in the Greater Asian Mountain region. The scope of this report is the broad, regional scale land use change.

Edited by Christian Nellermann of UNEP GRID Arendal, with contributions from many authors including Philip Bubb, Ian May, Lera Miles and Julian Caldecott of UNEP-WCMC

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Environmental Risks from Agriculture in Europe Environmental Risks from Agriculture in Europe (2004)

This report, written by a team of international environmental experts and conservationists, describes an innovative methodology and results of a three-year study that applied agri-environmental indicators and European datasets to identify the main agricultural risk areas in Europe.

It covers:

  • soil erosion
  • nutrient enrichment
  • pesticide use and their integrated risks for biodiversity and landscapes.

Editors: Ben Delbaere and Ana Nieto Serradilla, European Centre for Nature Conservation

ISBN 90 76762 17 1 | Order from European Centre for Nature Conservation | Download from www.ecnc.org


Speaking a Common Language Speaking a Common Language: Uses and performance of the IUCN System of Management Categories for Protected Areas (2004)

This report provides an overview of the use of Management Categories for Protected Areas. It looks at the emergence of the system of protected area management categories, the original purposes of the system and new uses being made of it. Suggestions are made as to how the system can be used more effectively. Finally there is a set of recommendations, along with a vision as to the place of the categories in the future.

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ISBN 1 902647 48 3 | Buy from IUCN World Conservation Bookstore


Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean (2004)

Coral reefs are an integral part of the Caribbean fabric, threading along thousands of kilometres of coastline. Unfortunately, these valuable ecosystems are degrading rapidly under the mounting pressure of many human activities. Understanding the nature and extent of these threats and their likely economic impacts on the future productivity of Caribbean coral reefs is of central importance to conservation and planning efforts.

The Reefs at Risk in the Carribean project was launched to help protect and restore these valuable, threatened ecosystems by providing decision-makers and the public with information and tools to manage coastal habitats more effectively.

The project focuses on compiling, integrating and disseminating critical information on these precious resources for the entire Caribbean region. This information is intended both to raise awareness about the threats to and value of Caribbean reefs and to encourage greater protection and restoration efforts.

Authors: Lauretta Burke, Jonathan Maidens

ISBN 1 56973 567 0 | Full text available on WRI website


Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program - Framework Document Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program - Framework Document. CAFF CBMP Report No. 1. CAFF International Secretariat, Akureyri, Iceland. 46pp (2004)

The CBMP is being developed by the Conservation of Arctic Fauna and Flora programme as a coordinating entity for biodiversity monitoring programmes in the Arctic, for data gathering and data analysis, and for coordinating the communication of the results.

Authors: Petersen, A., Zöckler, C., Gunnarsdóttir, M.V.

ISBN 99979-59526-9-5 | PDF obtainable from the CAFF website


Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program - Framework Document Discussion Paper: Data Management and Communication for the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program - A Cooperation Strategy between CADD and UNEP-WCMC. CAFF CBMP Report No. 8. CAFF International Secretariat, Akureyri, Iceland. 10pp. (2004)

The CBMP is being developed by the Conservation of Arctic Fauna and Flora programme as a coordinating entity for biodiversity monitoring programmes in the Arctic, for data gathering and data analysis, and for coordinating the communication of the results.

Authors: Zöckler, C. and Harrison, J.

ISBN 99979-59526-9-5 | PDF obtainable from the CAFF website


Checklist of CITES Species 2003 Checklist of CITES Species 2003

This book and accompanying CD-ROM provide a checklist of the fauna and flora listed in Appendices I, II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, as adopted by the Conference of Parties, valid from 13 February 2003.

The CD-ROM also includes the Annotated Appendices, which have an index to family names and common names. It is hoped that these lists will act as an aid to Management and Scientific Authorities, Customs officials, and all others involved in implenting and enforcing the Convention.

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ISBN 1 899628 23 1 | GBP £40.00 | Buy from IUCN World Conservation Bookstore


UN Protected Area List 2003 2003 UN List of Protected Areas

The 2003 UN List of Protected Areas, the thirteenth produced since 1962, records the global community's endeavour to conserve the Earth's natural places. This is the first version to attempt a comprehensive presentation of all the world's known protected areas, listing 102,102 sites covering 18.8 million sq km compared to just over 1,000 protected areas in 1962.

Significant progress has been made in conserving representative areas of the world's terrestrial biomes, although some including Lake Systems and Temperate Grasslands, remain under-represented. It is an essential reference document for all who want to understand the progress made in responding to the challenges of biodiversity loss and other environmental threats around the world.

The UN List is produced through a partnership between IUCN, the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), UNEP and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the valuable contributory role of more recent partners.

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ISBN 2 8317 0746 3 / 92 807 2362 6| GBP £30.00 Buy from IUCN World Conservation Bookstore


Global Climate Change and Biodiversity 2003 Global Climate Change and Biodiversity (2003)

The Earth's climate is changing and the impacts are already being felt by biodiversity and wildlife habitats across the planet. This summary report from the international conference Global Climate Change and Biodiversity presents some of the latest scientific research into how the natural world is being affected by climate change - and also how the natural world might respond in the future.

The conference, held at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK in April 2003, was organised jointly by the RSPB, WWF-UK, English Nature, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

Authors are: Rhys E Green, Mike Harley, Lera Miles, Jörn Scharlemann, Andrew Watkinson and Olly Watts

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Reefs at Risk in South East Asia Reefs at Risk in South East Asia (2002)

South East Asia contains nearly 100,000 km2 of coral reefs, almost 34% of the world total. With over 600 of the almost 800 reef-building coral species, these reefs have the highest levels of marine biodiversity on earth. Heavy reliance on marine resources across South East Asia has resulted in the overexploitation and degradation of many coral reefs. An estimated 88% of them are threatened by human activity.

Despite widespread recognition of this threat, specific information about it is limited. This inhibits effective decision making concerning coastal resources. The Reefs at Risk project was designed to address this by creating standardized indicators that raise awareness about threats to coral reefs and highlight the linkages between human activity and coral reef condition.

Authors: Lauretta Burke, Elizabeth Selig, Mark Spalding

ISBN 1 56973 490 9 | Full text available on WRI website


Great Apes - The Road Ahead (2002) Great Apes - The Road Ahead (2002)

The Great Apes, including the chimpanzee, gorilla and orangutan, are threatened with extinction. All species are rapidly declining in abundance, even within protected areas.The main factors responsible for this decline are loss and degradation of habitat, and hunting. Construction of roads in forest areas is particularly damaging, as such development facilitates hunting and other activities which lead to habitat destruction.

This report assesses the impact of infrastructural development on great ape populations, using the GLOBIO modelling approach. GLOBIO is a multivariable spatial model, which estimates the extent of land area with reduced abundance and diversity of living organisms, as a result of infrastructural development. The model can also be used to develop scenarios of possible future impacts, based on the current rates of infrastructural development.

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Forest Biodiversity Indicators Forest Biodiversity Indicators (2001)

This is a brief introduction to biodiversity indicators in a forest environment - their definition, source, presentation and uses.

Prepared by: V. Kapos, M. D. Jenkins, I. Lysenko, C. Ravilious, N. Bystriakova and A. Newton

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Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife (2001)

This report was published by the RSPB on hehalf of English Nature, WWF-UK, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Edited by: Rhys E Green, Mike Harley, Mark Spalding, Christoph Zöckler

ISBN 1 901034 29 7 | Download as a PDF from the English Nature website


CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna) 2001. Arctic Flora and Fauna: Status and Conservation. Edita, Helsinki. 272p CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna) 2001. Arctic Flora and Fauna: Status and Conservation. Edita, Helsinki. 272p (2004)

Status and conservation was the first truly circumpolar overview of Arctic biodiversity written for the non-specialist. It provides the reader with a clear understanding of the importance of the Earth's largest ecoregion and its status in the face of a rapidly changing world. Christoph Zöckler of UNEP-WCMC was the species information and graphics coordinator on the book's editorial team.

ISBN 997909476-5-9 | PDF obtainable from the CAFF website


BCIS Framework for Information Sharing BCIS Framework for Information Sharing (2000)

These handbooks were prepared by the members of the Biodiversity Conservation Information System (BCIS) consortium to support BCIS Members and others making decisions on the conservation and sustainable use of living resources. The handbooks form part of a comprehensive set of supporting materials designed to build information management capacity and improve decision-making.

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Executive Overview [English]    
Volume 1: Principles [English] [French] [Spanish]
Volume 2: Procedures Manual [English] [French] [Spanish]
Volume 3: Custodianship [English] [French] [Spanish]
Volume 4: Data Access [English] [French] [Spanish]
Volume 5: Metadata [English] [French] [Spanish]
Volume 6: Standards and Quality Assurance [English] [French] [Spanish]
Volume 7: Core datasets [English] [French] [Spanish]
Volume 8: Tools and Technologies [English] [French] [Spanish]

Biodiversity Indicators for Monitoring GEF Programme Implementation and Impacts Biodiversity Indicators for Monitoring GEF Programme Implementation and Impacts (2000)

This report was been prepared for the Global Environment Facility, having been commissioned by their Monitoring and Evaluation Team. The GEF needs to report in a variety of contexts on the extent and impact of those of its activities that address biological diversity. To do this in a succinct, meaningful and purpose-specific manner, it requires a portfolio of indicators that can be used to summarise its activities at programme level and demonstrate their impacts over time. This report presents a broad portfolio of candidate indicators as a basis for further discussion.

Authors: Martin Jenkins and Valerie Kapos

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Forests In Flux (1999)

This highly requested report is now available for download in pdf format.

Over the 21st century, the temperature at the earth's surface is likely to increase significantly, and all ecosystems, including forests, will experience the most rapid period of climate change since the end of the last ice age. The distribution and composition of forests will be affected by this change, and effective conservation strategies will need to accommodate the prospect of rapidly migrating climate zones and shifting ecosystems.

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World List of Threatened Trees The World List of Threatened Trees (1999)

Compiled by WCMC, The World List of Threatened Trees is an essential reference book for conservationists, botanists, foresters, resource managers and policy planners, containing concise information on the global conservation status of more than 7000 tree species.

The book concludes that at least 10% of the world's trees are threatened. This represents a significant part of the world's sources of fuel, food, medicine, timber and many other essential commodities. Over 300 botanists contributed information on species' habitat, threats, population trends and other key details for conservation action, including IUCN Red List Category (1994).

ISBN 189962810X | GBP £15.00 | Buy from the IUCN World Conservation Bookstore or Earthprint | Tree Conservation database


Handbooks on Biodiversity Information Management (1998)

Biodiversity Information Management 0 Biodiversity Information Management 1
ISBN: 0850925517 ISBN: 0850925444
Biodiversity Information Management 2 Biodiversity Information Management 3
ISBN: 0850925452 ISBN: 0850925460
Biodiversity Information Management 4 Biodiversity Information Management 5
ISBN: 0850925479 ISBN: 0850925487
Biodiversity Information Management 6 Biodiversity Information Management 7
ISBN: 0850925495 ISBN: 0850925509

This eight volume series, developed for use by decision-makers, mid-career professionals, and interested parties, reviews the issues and processes involved in the management of biodiversity information to support the conservation and sustainable use of living resources. They also provide a framework for the development of national plans and strategies and for meeting reporting obligations of international programmes and conventions.

The handbooks may be used as a training resource or, more generally, to support institutions and networks involved in building capacity in information management.

Representing three-years work, these handbooks were supported by the EU, UNEP, European Environment Agency, through the United Kingdom's Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species and published through the generous support of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Complete set GBP £22.50 | Buy from IUCN World Conservation Bookstore or Earthprint

Full text available here.


Reefs at Risk Reefs at Risk (1998)

The first ever objective survey of the human threats to coral reefs, Reefs at Risk: A Map-Based Indicator of Threats to the World's Coral Reefs, is the result of a two-year research exercise undertaken by the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington, WCMC, and the World Fish Center in the Philippines.

Reefs provide billions of people and scores of countries with food, tourism revenue, coastal protection and new pharmaceuticals. Despite this importance, nearly 60 percent of the earth's coral reefs are threatened by human activity. Prior to the publication of Reefs at Risk all information about the global state of coral reefs was based on guesswork and anecdotal evidence. The report gives a measure of the actual threat to reefs. It is not a measure of existing degradation, but rather of the potential for such degradation to occur.

The research was conducted using a Geographic Information System (GIS), combining a broad range of global maps, information on 800 sites known to be degraded, and input from top coral reef scientists from around the world.

ISBN 1559632574 | Full text available on WRI website


1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants

This, the first world list of threatened plants ever compiled, reveals that more than one in ten plant species is facing extinction.

The IUCN Red List includes the names of more than 33,000 rare or threatened plant species worldwide, and is collated from the WCMC Threatened Plants database, the product of over 15 years work by individuals and organisations worldwide.

Four major datasets were made available to WCMC to integrate into the database for the production of the list, provided by The Nature Conservancy (for North and South America), the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, South Africa's National Botanical Institute and Flora Europaea.

ISBN 283170328X | GBP £30.00 | Buy from the IUCN World Conservation Bookstore | Threatened Plants database


1997 UN List of Protected Areas 1997 UN List of Protected Areas

The UN List is the definitive list of the world's protected areas, compiled by WCMC on behalf of IUCN, and published by IUCN.

This 1997 edition reveals a global network in excess of 30,000 protected areas designated under national legislation which covers 13.2 million square kilometres of land, freshwater and sea. The list is arranged by country and classified by management aims, ranging from strict protection to protected areas managed for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems.

ISBN 283170426X | GBP £26.75 | Buy from the IUCN World Conservation Bookstore | 1997 UN List | Protected Areas database


Guide to National Institutional Survey Guide to National Institutional Survey (1997)

This document concerns the development of information management capacity, particularly as it applies to a network of organisations sharing common information management goals. Techniques for surveying the capacities and needs of organisations are examined, with the aim of reducing duplication of effort, enhancing cooperation and identifying areas for investment.

The text applies most directly to surveys conducted at the national level where, for example, a biodiversity information network or other major programme or project is being implemented. A sample covering letter and questionnaire are included as annexes.

ISBN 9280717006 | Download as Microsoft Word 6.0 (DOC) file or Rich Text Format (RTF).


Guide to Information Management Guide to Information Management (1996)

Recognising that biodiversity information depends on access to data from many and varied stakeholders, this document examines the organisational issues associated with establishing effective co-operation.

A step-by-step information cycle is proposed, comprising agreement on priority issues, determination of information needs, design of information products, agreement of stakeholder roles, and enablement of stakeholders to ensure information is produced cost-effectively. A participatory approach is emphasised as a means to ensure transparency in information usage.

ISBN 9280715915 | Out of print | Full text available here


Private Protected Areas: A Preliminary Study Private Protected Areas: A Preliminary Study of Private Initiatives to Conserve Biodiversity in Selected African Countries (1996)

A major gap in the available information on the world's protected areas concerns private initiatives in protecting biodiversity. In order to begin to address this gap, a preliminary survey of private protected areas was carried out in some East and Southern African countries.

This pilot study demonstrates the significant contribution of private initiatives to national protected area systems and underlines the importance of extending this survey to entire regions, as part of a global review of the role private protected areas.

Out of print | Full text available here


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