Terrestrial Biodiversity

Eleni, David, Hailey

Many ways to define biodiversity

Variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms Diversity at many levels
Genes Species Ecosystems Landscapes

Anthropogenic Threats to Biodiversity Habitat destruction Over-harvesting Pollution Invasive species Human-induced climate change

Problems in creating an effective regime

Definition of the problem Application of the principle of national sovereignty vs. the principle of the common heritage of humankind Resistance to strong legal obligations by developing states (high biodiversity) Inconsistent support from US and other industrialized states

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

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 implementation actions and negotiated protocols to establish concrete commitments

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 implement convention 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 monitor implementation at national level

Failure to meet goals

Did not meet global goals to reduce biodiversity 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

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 Resources and 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

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar)

is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. (Ramsar) wise use principle focuses on one ecosystem why wetlands?

Convention of Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty 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 as European bats, cetaceans, seals in wadden sea, gorillas, and migratory waterbirds

Ecosystem Services?
- Provisioning Services - Regulating Services - Supporting Services - Cultural Services

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Central mission to conserve biodiversity and demonstrate how biodiversity is fundamental in addressing challenges such as climate change, sustainable development and food security (IUCN)
top notch scientists set the red list which is a comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species (red list) establishes a non biased and transparent index to monitor species and provide global context for local conservation activity

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 usually transmitted through generations orally Mainly deals with practical nature creates initiatives for better exchange and crossfertilization between knowledge systems in an equal, legitimate, and transparent way, in order to support more sustainable ecosystem stewardship globally (local knowledge portal)

Desertification
Defined by UNEP: sustained land degradation in arid, semiarid, and dry subhumid areas resulting mainly from adverse human impact African persistence to call for a convention Desertification linked with poverty Negotiations began in May 1993 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Entered into force in December 1996

UN Convention to Combat Desertification To develop national and subregional/regional action programs by national governments in cooperation with donors, local populations, and NGOs Recognizes:
The physical, biological, and socioeconomic aspects of desertification The importance of redirecting technology transfer so that it is demand-driven The importance of local populations in efforts to combat desertification

Challenges
Bringing more scientific and technological input into its operations
Call for scientific-style conferences

Uncertainty regarding the proper focus of the regime

Environmental or development treaty? Fighting desertification or poverty?

References
Chasek, Pamela S., Downie, David L., and Brown, Janet Welsh. Global Environmental Politics, 6th ed. 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. <http://www.cbd.int/traditional/>. Ramsar Convention. "The Ramsar Convention and Its Mission." Ramsar Convention. Danone-Evian Fund, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. <http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-aboutmission/main/ramsar/1-36-53_4000_0__>. Convention on Migratory Species. "CMS Strategic Plan 2015-2023." Resolutions Adopted. UNEP, Nov. 2011. Web. <http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/resolutions_adopted/10_05_strategic_plan_e. pdf>. "IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature." IUCN. N.p., July 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.iucn.org/about/>.