CBD

Convention on Biological Diversity

Biodiversity Policy: FAO State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources and Global Plan of Action

FAO has announced publication of the first State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources, linked to the Global Plan of Action for Forest Genetic Resources. Key messages of the State report are:

Access to information and knowledge on FGR needs to be improved
Economic value is the main factor in setting management priorities
Half of the forest species reported by countries are threatened
8,000 forest species are used and one-third of them actively managed
Species distribution maps are vital, but rarely available
Most species are conserved in situ, in naturally regenerated and planted forests
Effective ex situ conservation programmes are restricted to limited species and populations
Tree improvement greatly enhances productivity and offers potential for adaptation to changing climate
Emerging technology opens new avenues in FGR management and conservation
Policies and institutional frameworks are insufficient

And what needs to be done:

Improve the availability of, and access to, information on FGR
Enhance in situ and ex situ conservation of FGR
Improve sustainable use and management of FGR
Strengthen policies and institutional capacity

Biodiversity policy UK: inquiry on Overseas Territories

The UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee has published a report on Sustainability in the UK Overseas Territories. The report argues for better and more consistent policy focus on the part of the UK government, clarity on the respective responsibilities of the UK government and UKOT governments, and various actions with respect to international law and with respect to CBD and other conventions.

It also recommends that Defra should convene UKOT governments with NGOs and research organisations to develop and agree a research programme to catalogue the full extent of biodiversity in the UKOTs. Better planning regimes to value and protect natural capital and promote sustainable tourism industries and economies are also recommended. Marine Protected Areas for the Pitcairn Islands, Tristan da Cunha and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are proposed (there is already a MPA in place for the British Indian Ocean Territory - the Chagos archipelago).

The UKOTs are: Anguilla; Bermuda; British Antarctic Territory; British Indian Ocean Territory; Cayman Islands; Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn Islands; St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Turks and Caicos Islands; and British Virgin Islands.

Biodiversity policy: CBD SBSTTA papers available for review

The 17th meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) is being held in Montreal in October 2013. Draft papers are available for peer review to mid-July. Agenda emphasis will be on scientific support for the CBD strategic plan to 2020 and on the development of IPBES.

Biodiversity collections: Global Genome Biodiversity Network

Originating from the Smithsonian Institution NMNH, the Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN) is in early stages, but aiming to create a network of biodiversity biobanks around the world working within CBD requirements. The NMNH focus is the Global Genome Initiative.

Biodiversity policy: CGIAR 2011 guidelines on collecting plant genetic diversity

Bioversity (formerly the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute-IPGRI) has updated CGIAR technical guidelines on collecting plant genetic diversity. Most of the content relates to technical aspects, but there is also a useful overview of legal issues covering progress so far under the CBD Nagoya Protocol and the related Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Biodiversity policy: CBD SBSTTA 16 reports

IISD reports on the CBD SBSTTA 16 meeting are available, together with an overall summary report.

Biodiversity policy: CBD SBSTTA November 2011

The CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) met in Montreal in early November. CBD meeting report and documents are available and a comprehensive summary and analysis from IISD. SBSTTA is developing perspectives and advice for the COP - the next in October 2012 in Hyderabad. Particular points and recommendations;

draft strategy for the Global Taxonomy Initiative with emphasis on capacity building needed for delivery of the Aichi targets by 2020. Mention of issues relating to mobility of genetic materials for research (in line with the Nagoya ABS protocol);
baselines, indicators and monitoring of the Aichi targets on biodiversity for 2020
ecosystem restoration - not a replacement for conservation. interest in new and emerging technologies
invasive alien species - discusison on trade related issues. emerging interest in cryptogams - algae, bryophytes and fungi.

Biodiversity policy: revised City Biodiversity Index produced

CBD has issued a revised version of the City Biodiversity Index after a Singapore workshop - the index is intended as a tool for managing biodiversity at a city level.

Biodiversity policy: Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Whole issue of the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society July 2011 Volume 166 Issue 3 pages 213-330.

Biodiversity policy: CBD SBSTTA 15 meeting document review

The CBD Scientific body SBSTTA is meeting in November 2011. Documents are available for review by July 15 on the CBD website. So far on: ecosystem restoration; invasive alien species; biodiversity of inland waters and resource management. IISD suggest that papers will also go up shortly on: capacity building for the Global Taxonomy Initiative; ecosystem restoration; and SBSTTA effectiveness. Watch that space.

Science, Biodiversity and Museums

Organizations

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