ASOSAI WGEA, Wuyishan, China1 Biodiversity: Some Key Trends Worldwide by Carolle Mathieu ASOSAI WGEA meeting, Wuyishan, China - 29 March, 2005

ASOSAI WGEA, Wuyishan, China 1

Biodiversity: Biodiversity: Some Key Trends Worldwide Some Key Trends Worldwide

by Carolle Mathieuby Carolle Mathieu

ASOSAI WGEA meeting, ASOSAI WGEA meeting, Wuyishan, China - Wuyishan, China - 29 March, 200529 March, 2005


OverviewOverview

• What is Biological Diversity (BD)?• What is the scope of BD?• What are some important issues related

to BD?• Why is it important to protect BD?• What are major challenges to

maintaining BD?• What are some means of protecting and

conserving BD?• What are some of the Conventions

related to BD?


What is biological diversity?What is biological diversity?

It refers to all aspects of variability in the living world, including diversity within and between - Individuals and their genes

- Populations

- Species

- Communities

and the system they inhabit.


What is the scope of biological What is the scope of biological diversity?diversity?

• Only about 1.75 million species have been identified; there are many other species that are unknown

• Scientists estimate there are 13 million species; they can range from 3 to 100 million


What are some important issues What are some important issues related to biological diversity?related to biological diversity?

Species extinction

• Loss of species is a natural process, but the rate of extinction has accelerated dramatically as a result of human activity

• Extinction raises specific concern because of its irreversibility


The IUCN/The World Conservation UnionThe IUCN/The World Conservation UnionRed List of Threatened SpeciesRed List of Threatened Species

From the 2004 IUCN Red List:

Since 1500 AD, a total of 784 plants and animals have become extinct species, while 60 are known only in cultivation or in captivity

The current species extinction rate is estimated to be between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the natural rate


From the 2004 IUCN Red List:From the 2004 IUCN Red List:

More than 15,000 species are known to be threatened with extinction

Since the 2002 Red List, more than 4,000 species have been added


The IUCN 2004 The IUCN 2004 Red List of Threatened SpeciesRed List of Threatened Species

Group of Organisms

# Species in Group

# Threatened Species

% of Total Threatened

Species

Vertebrates 57,739 5,188 9

Mammals 5,416 1,101 20

Birds 9,917 1,213 12

Reptiles 8,163 304 4

Amphibians 5,743 1,170 31

Fishes 28,500 800 3

Invertebrates 1,190,200 1,992 0,17

Insects 950,000 559 0,06

Plants 287,655 8,321 2,89


From the 2004 IUCN Red List:From the 2004 IUCN Red List:

Highest number of known threatened birds and mammals are in:China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia,

Philippines, Australia, Madagascar, South Africa, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and United States.

Highest number of knownthreatened plants are in:China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka,

Cameroon, Madagascar, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Mexico.



Habitat loss and fragmentation

• Habitat loss is identified as a main threat to 85% of all species described in the Red List of Threathened Species

• Deforestation is one of the leading causes: about 80% of forests have been cleared

• Urbanization has dramatically increased the rate



Invasive Species• Second main cause of biodiversity loss• Introduce species that spread in the

new environment and threaten the native species, the environment and our economy



Other causes

• Over-exploitation of our resources • Climatic Change• Pollution• Overgrazing• Desertification• Genetic Diversity


Why is it important to protect Why is it important to protect biological diversity?biological diversity?

Species and ecosystems provide goods and services

• Provide food and fuel• Medicine• Purification of air and water• Stabilization of climate• Pollination and dispersal of seeds• Generation and preservation of soils• Control of potential agricultural pests• Protection of coastal shores from erosion• Detoxification and decomposition of waste• Aesthetic


What are major challenges to What are major challenges to maintaining biological diversity?maintaining biological diversity?

• Increasing demand for biological resources due to population growth and increased populationDeveloping countries want to

develop their economy

• Assess the status of biodiversity: need for more research to understand value of BD


What are some means of protecting What are some means of protecting and conserving biological diversity?and conserving biological diversity?

• Creation of protected areas such as national parks (in-situ conservation)

• Focus on areas containing high species richness and protect endangered species against illegal activities (hot spots)

• Zoos, botanical gardens, gene banks (ex-situ conservation)

• Increase public awareness• Conventions and treaties


What are some of the conventions related What are some of the conventions related to Biological Diversityto Biological Diversity

• Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971)• Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (1973)

• Convention to Combat Desertification (1994)• The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety under

the Convention of BD on living modified organisms (LMO) (2000)

• International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (2004)

Documents

ASOSAI WGEA, Wuyishan, China1 Biodiversity: Some Key Trends Worldwide by Carolle Mathieu ASOSAI WGEA meeting, Wuyishan, China - 29 March, 2005