Conservation Commons » Biodiversity

Promoting synergies within biodiversity related MEAs

Admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:40:59 +0000

UNEP-WCMC is currently working on a report on synergies between the global biodiversity-related conventions under contract to the Finnish Ministry of Environment. The report is aimed as a contribution to the international environmental governance discussion, not least in the context of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).

A summary of the report can be found here: http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/fnr/documents/promoting-synergies-within-biodiversity-related

Biodiversity, Climate Change Policy On Convergent Roads

Asghar — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:22:00 +0000

Biodiversity and climate change issues are coming together under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), according to a new working paper from the University of Edinburgh. The CBD is engaged in questions relating to climate change, it found. In particular, the CBD has progressively addressed legal and policy implications of the impacts on biodiversity of climate change, as well as mitigation and adaptation measures.

By Catherine Saez on 18 April 2011 @ 3:36 pm

Biodiversity and climate change issues are coming together under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), according to a new working paper from the University of Edinburgh.

The CBD is engaged in questions relating to climate change, it found. In particular, the CBD has progressively addressed legal and policy implications of the impacts on biodiversity of climate change, as well as mitigation and adaptation measures.

The author, Elisa Morgera, a lecturer in European environmental law at the University of Edinburgh School of Law, analysed the links between biodiversity loss and climate change, and reviewed the main climate change-related outcomes of the 10th CBD Conference of the Parties (COP), in October 2010.

According to Morgera, the CBD “has been steadily working on climate-change-related issues since its seventh meeting in 2004.” At COP 10, delegates agreed on increased cooperation between the CBD and the international climate change regime, in particular with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

However, “the ultimate value of the developments under the CBD related to climate change rests with the systematic application at all levels of environmental governance of its guidelines aimed at ensuring that climate change measures are environmentally, socially, and culturally sustainable,” the paper said ^[1].

Categories: Biodiversity/Genetic Resources/Biotech,English,Environment,IP Live,Language,Themes,United Nations,Venues

Article printed from Intellectual Property Watch: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog

URL to article: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/04/18/biodiversity-climate-change-policy-on-convergent-roads-paper-says/

URLs in this post:

[1] the paper said: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1753810&http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1753810

[2] Climate-Ready Crop Patents Present Danger For Biodiversity, Group Says: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/10/26/climate-ready-crop-patents-present-danger-for-biodiversity-group-says/

[3] UN Climate Change Talks Start With Little Faith From Observers: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/11/29/un-climate-change-talks-start-with-little-faith-from-observers/

[4] Panellists See Critical Moment For International Policy On Biodiversity And Trade: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/04/23/panellists-see-critical-moment-for-international-policy-on-biodiversity-and-trade/

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Long Week Ahead For WIPO Experts Considering Treaty On IP And Genetic Resources

Asghar — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 09:52:00 +0000

Having successfully advanced discussions toward treaties on the protection of folklore and traditional knowledge, country experts this week are meeting at the World Intellectual Property Organization to discuss the protection of genetic resources. But this time, it might prove trickier.

By Catherine Saez on 28 February 2011 @ 7:23 pm

The positive results of the two previous working groups have established momentum toward producing the basis for an international treaty text. However, experts this week might face a tougher task with multiple working documents from which to work and the objectives might have to be humbler.

The Third Intersessional Working Group ^[1] (IWG 3) of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), gathering country experts, is meeting from 28 February – 4 March. The aim is to try to produce a text that would be a basis for negotiations at the 18th session of the IGC from 9-13 May.

The IGC was established by the WIPO General Assembly in October 2000 with the objective of “reaching agreement on a text of an international legal instrument (or instruments) which will ensure the effective protection” of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources, according to WIPO.

In order to help the process, the IGC established three expert working groups to meet between IGC sessions to address the three issues separately. The groups were tasked with providing expert advice and discussions on each subject and provide draft text as a basis for negotiations at the May IGC.

The First Intersessional Working Group (IWG 1) of the IGC worked on traditional cultural expressions in July and produced a text that will be presented to the next IGC (IPW, WIPO, 26 July 2010 ^[2]). The Second Intersessional Working Group (IWG 2) addressed traditional knowledge from 21-25 February and also produced a set of draft articles to be brought forward to the ICG (IPW, WIPO, 25 February 2011 ^[3]).

Key Issues this Week

A key issue of this week’s discussions is the mandatory disclosure of genetic resources in patent applications, according to sources. Another key point is the inclusion of derivatives in the discussions they said. Derivatives are referring to plant extracts, or metabolites (active compounds in plants or animals).

Both of those issues were keenly discussed in October during the negotiations leading to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity ^[4] [pdf].

The experts meeting this week have a heavy load of working documents compiled by WIPO to go through, including proposals kept on the table by countries at the 17th IGC meeting in December (IPW, WIPO, 11 December 2010 ^[5]), such as the draft objectives and principles ^[6] [pdf] proposed by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United States, a submission ^[7] [pdf] by the African Group on genetic resources and future work, a proposal ^[8] [pdf] by Switzerland on the declaration of the source of genetic resources and traditional knowledge in patent applications, and a document ^[9] [pdf] submitted by the European Union also on the source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications.

José López de León, second secretary of the Geneva Mexican permanent mission, was elected chair of IWG 3, and laid out its roadmap this morning. Today and tomorrow should be devoted to discussing objectives and principles with the aim of shortening the deadline if possible, he told Intellectual Property Watch.

The following days will be devoted to developing a matrix of different options, see where they fit with the objectives and principles discussed before, and define priorities. It is important to keep in mind that the discussions have to be kept at a technical level, he said.

On the topic of genetic resources, countries can be broadly defined by two extreme positions and the aim of this week is to deliver two options to which countries can relate to so that the IGC can start negotiating on that basis, he added.

According to participants, indigenous peoples vigorously opposed the mention in the objectives and principles of the sovereign rights of states over genetic resources, as that goes against the right to self-determination and the sovereign rights of indigenous peoples as stated in different United Nations conventions and covenants, and in particular their rights over their genetic resources. They also said that the human rights dimensions should be taken into account in the efforts to establish an international instrument.

Several countries such as Bolivia and Venezuela also said they wished to have national sovereign rights on the scope of patentability, in particular on life forms, according to sources.

The Nagoya Protocol, whose aim is to prevent unlawful appropriation of genetic resources, was adopted on 29 October (IPW, Biodiversity/Genetic Resources/Biotech, 29 October 2010 ^[10]). It includes languages on prior informed consent of indigenous and local communities (Article 6). The protocol was characterised by many as a good starting point but containing softening language like “as appropriate” and “where applicable,” with much left to interpretation and to national level implementation.

A developed country source told Intellectual Property Watch that disclosure of patent applications is an intellectual property issue and as such should remain under WIPO competence. Another developed country source said that the discussions on objectives and principles would be key to further progress.

On 25 February, Mexico became the fifth country to sign the Nagoya Protocol, according to a CBD press release ^[11] [pdf]. The instrument will take effect at the 50th ratification by countries.

Side Events this Week

On Tuesday, South Africa will hold a side event to the IWG 3 on “The National Recordal System as multimedia platform for the recording, documentation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge in South Africa.” On Thursday, the International Centre For Trade and Sustainable Development and the United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD) will co-organise a panel discussion on The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing and its impact on other multilateral debates on intellectual property and biodiversity.

Categories: Biodiversity/Genetic Resources/Biotech,English,Human Rights,Language,News,Themes,Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge,Venues,WIPO

Article printed from Intellectual Property Watch: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog

URL to article: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/02/28/long-week-ahead-for-wipo-experts-considering-treaty-on-ip-and-genetic-resources/

URLs in this post:

[1] Third Intersessional Working Group: http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=22093

[2] IPW, WIPO, 26 July 2010: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/07/26/wipo-sees-first-real-progress-on-text-for-protection-of-folklore-in-10-years-2/

[3] IPW, WIPO, 25 February 2011: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/02/25/after-folklore-traditional-knowledge-makes-steps-toward-wipo-treaty-text/

[4] Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity:http://treaties.un.org/doc/source/signature/2010/Ch-XXVII-8-b.pdf

[5] IPW, WIPO, 11 December 2010: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/12/11/wipo-members-move-into-detailed-talks-toward-folklore-treaty/

[6] draft objectives and principles: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3_9.pdf

[7] submission: http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3_8.pdf

[8] proposal: http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3_4.pdf

[9] document: http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3/wipo_grtkf_iwg_3_2.pdf

[10] IPW, Biodiversity/Genetic Resources/Biotech, 29 October 2010: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/10/29/compromise-un-protocol-treaty-against-biopiracy-adopted-in-japan/

[11] CBD press release: http://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2011/pr-2011-02-25-mexico-en.pdf

[12] Draft WIPO Instrument On Genetic Resources Shows Lists Of Options: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/03/04/draft-wipo-instrument-on-genetic-resources-shows-lists-of-options/

[13] Debate Rises Over Elevating Profile Of Genetic Resources At WIPO: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/03/01/debate-rises-over-elevating-profile-of-genetic-resources-at-wipo/

[14] WIPO Draft Treaty Text On Genetic Resources Joins Folklore, Traditional Knowledge: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/03/04/wipo-draft-treaty-texts-on-folklore-traditional-knowledge-genetic-resources-now-ready/

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New body to stem loss of ecosystems

Asghar — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:01:00 +0000

A new international body aimed at reversing the unprecedented loss of species and ecosystems vital to life on Earth due to human activity has passed its final hurdle with approval by the United Nations General Assembly. In a resolution adopted by consensus, the Assembly yesterday called on the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to take the necessary steps to set up the Intergovernmental Science Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the final approval needed for the body for which the groundwork had been laid at UNEP-sponsored meetings earlier this year. "IPBES represents a major breakthrough in terms of organizing a global response to the loss of living organisms and forests, freshwaters, coral reefs and other ecosystems that underpin all life, including economic life, on Earth," UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said today.

It caps 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity, launched in January to raise awareness and generate public pressure for action by global leaders on the vital link between biodiversity, ecosystems and survival, based on the premise that the world’s diverse ecosystems purify the air and the water that are the basis of life, stabilize and moderate the Earth’s climate, renew soil
fertility, cycle nutrients and pollinate plants.
IPBES, which in many ways mirrors the UN-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that has helped to catalyze government action on global warming, will foster the search for government action needed to reverse the accelerating degradation of the natural world and its species, which some experts put at 1,000 times the natural progression.
Its role includes high-quality peer reviews of the wealth of science on the issue from research institutes across the globe and outlining transformational policy options to bring about real change.As to the economic costs, a UN-backed Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study last year estimated loss of natural capital due to deforestation and degradation at between $2 trillion and $4.5 trillion every year – "a staggering economic cost of taking nature for granted."

It said an annual $45 billion investment into protected areas alone could secure delivery of ecosystem services worth some $5 trillion a year.
Outlining some of the potential benefits of IPBES, UNEP cited bringing to the attention of Governments so-called "new topics" identified by science. Some, for
example, claim that evidence of deoxygenated dead zones in the world’s oceans took too long to migrate from scientific circles into the in-trays of policy-makers. Similar concerns exist over the pros and cons of biofuels.
Some experts are convinced that many discoveries, from the identification of new lower life forms to the fast disappearance of others, remain within the corridors of research institutes and universities for many years before they reach the wider world, by which time it may be too late to act to protect the species concerned.
Unravelling the precise role of animals, plants, insects and even microbes within ecosystems and their functions in terms of the services generated, from water purification to soil fertility, could also be a major thrust, UNEP said.
While IPBES will support some capacity building in developing countries, a main role will be to catalyze funding to assist them.
Some 12 per cent of birds, 25 per cent of mammals and 32 per cent of amphibians are now threatened with extinction within a century, it added.
www.un.org Published by HT Syndication with permission from Daily News Sri Lanka. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
LOAD-DATE: January 14, 2011

Copyright 2011 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
Daily News (Sri Lanka)
January 13, 2011 Thursday

UNGA gives the green light to IPBES

Asghar — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:18:00 +0000

During a plenary meeting held yesterday in New-York, the United Nations 65th General Assembly (UNGA) approved the creation of an Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

Read the press release here.

The full text of the resolution on UNEP (Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its eleventh special session (draft resolution A/C.2/65/L.43) including IPBES, will shortly be available on the UNGA 65th session’s website.

The resolution underlines a further success of the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity and should provide a boost to the International Year of Forests which begins in January 2011, and the international decade of biodiversity, also beginning in January 2011.
This is a major event ion the world of biodiversity and ecosystem services as the IPCC-like platform will bridge the gulf between the wealth of scientific knowledge on the accelerating declines and degradation of the natural world, with knowledge on effective solutions and decisive government action required to reverse these damaging trends.
IPBES will then be addressed in the UNEP Executive Director report to the Twenty-sixth session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum to be held in Nairobi on 21-24 February. Document UNEP/GC.26/6 will present the outcome of the third IPBES meeting held in Busan, in accordance with decision SS.XI/4 of the Governing Council. It contains suggested action on a further process to establish IPBES.

A-Z areas of biodiversity importance website

Asghar — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:43:00 +0000

A new website have launched in Nagoya today – The A-Z of areas of biodiversity importance – http://www.biodiversitya-z.org/

The A to Z guide is an online resource to provide clear, concise and relevant information about various areas important for biodiversity conservation ranging from World Heritage Sites to Key Biodiversity Areas, which can be used by all sectors including business, government and environmental agencies.

This guide has been prepared by UNEP-WCMC, in partnership with the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Addressing biodiversity impacts in risk analysis

Asghar — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:09:00 +0000

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Slide 1:Addressing biodiversity impacts in risk analysis: the need for information exchange on invasiveness Maj De Poorter, Mick Clout, Michael Browne Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG), IUCN Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Slide 2:Definitions used Invasive alien species (IAS): alien species whose introduction and/or spread threaten biological diversity (CBD, 2002). Introduction: movement by human agency, indirect or direct, of an alien species outside of its natural range – past or present (CBD 2002) Note: can be within a country Biodiversity = Biological Diversity: Diversity of species (including lower taxa), habitats and ecosystems

Slide 5:Natural habitats affected by herbivores (goat, rabbit, deer), or seeds of plant IAS dispersed into native forests (monkeys, pigs) or choking, shading etc by IAS who are plants. Livelihoods are impacted both directly but also because of the loss of native biodiversity – in other words, the “livelihhods” issue is closely related to biodievrsity loss and not the prerogative of ‘agricultural” pests Livelihoods affected eg by : logistic hassles (choking riverways, clogging boats), interference with fishing, watertables affected, fire regimes changed, food security affected!, mededcinal plants threathened, culturally important plants. Note: medecinal use and food security can be MAJOR issues for non-cash economies (no money to buy other food or buy aspirin when medinal plant gone)Natural habitats affected by herbivores (goat, rabbit, deer), or seeds of plant IAS dispersed into native forests (monkeys, pigs) or choking, shading etc by IAS who are plants. Livelihoods are impacted both directly but also because of the loss of native biodiversity – in other words, the “livelihhods” issue is closely related to biodievrsity loss and not the prerogative of ‘agricultural” pests Livelihoods affected eg by : logistic hassles (choking riverways, clogging boats), interference with fishing, watertables affected, fire regimes changed, food security affected!, mededcinal plants threathened, culturally important plants. Note: medecinal use and food security can be MAJOR issues for non-cash economies (no money to buy other food or buy aspirin when medinal plant gone)

Slide 6:Article 8(h): ‘….prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats and species.’ Decision VI/23: Guiding principles, etc… Decision VI/9: Global Plant Strategy (Target 10) Draft POW Island Biodiversity

Slide 7:International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) ISPM 11 – Rev 1 spells out Commodity itself can be invasive (e.g. the garden plant can be a potential weed) Secondary effects of plant pest on other taxa can be covered Effect on plant via effect on other taxa can be covered Effects on native plants can be covered

Slide 9:Complexity: “Dual Personality Species”

Slide 11: Invasive alien plant Chromolaena odorata, in S. Africa: major invader of wetlands…… is a potential risk to:

Slide 14:Solution 1) “guilty until proven innocent” – In the context of alien species, unless there is a reasonable likelihood that an introduction will be harmless, it should be treated as likely to be harmful (IUCN 2000). 2) Prevention, prevention, prevention!

Slide 15:Prevention – Intentional introductions White list – of alien species where risk analysis led to a determination that they are ‘low’ risk – and authorisation for introduction has been granted. Black list – of alien species where risk analysis led to a determination that they are ‘high’ risk and therefore are prohibited for introduction. Grey list – (further) review / analysis is required before a decision can be made. Introduction is not authorised at this stage. New Zealand applies this white-black-grey list approach to all intentional introductions, and includes risks to biodiversity….

Slide 16:Prevention: Unintentional introductions Unintentional introductions minimised through risk-based management of pathways Example: NZ Risk analysis for exotic spiders associated with imported table grapes. Risk analysis included human health and risk to native fauna and flora. Resulted in tightening of IHS. Cooperation: Ministry Agriculture and Forestry Department of Conservation Ministry of Health

Slide 17:Prevention ? Risk Analysis Under the IPPC, a risk analysis for a country will assess the risk of entry, risk of establishment and potential damage that the alien species may cause options for management Including biodiversity risks is a challenge: wider range of impacts, time lags, complexity, ? Information on prior invasiveness elsewhere is critical

Slide 18:Information required includes: pathways associated with a species in the past up to date information on the global distribution – native and alien (can “get on” a pathway from alien range too) Pathway : introduction, but also for “spread” (spread usually has a large human component)

Slide 19:Risk of establishment: vulnerability of “receiving” environment CLIMEX, GARP, BIOSECURE… An invasive species can show a wider climate and/or environmental tolerance in alien range (e.g Possum in NZ, Salvinia in Sri Lanka) Predictions & modeling should be based on native and alien distributions

Slide 20:Potential damage: threats to Biodiversity Information about impacts caused elsewhere (e.g. predation, competition, hybridisation, etc) can be used IAS + exposure of native biodiversity ? impacts Biodiversity Impacts caused by IAS will be different from one area to another It will usually not be possible, nor should it be required, to predict the exact details (“PRA is a decision making tool not an ecosystem model” Randall)

Slide 21:Potential Damage: Risk of Invasiveness

Slide 22:Management options Information on prevention, early detection and rapid response, eradication and control methods used elsewhere Lessons learned from success and failure need to be shared widely

Slide 23:To summarise Globally sourced information is needed ecological characteristics prior invasiveness biodiversity impacts caused global distribution (alien range as well as native) introduction pathways pathways for spread (including human) management, and lessons learned

Slide 24:ISSG’s role The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of IUCN is involved in several "vehicles" for such international information exchange, including 1) Manages the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) 2) Planned development of a "global register of invasive species“ 3) The listserver Aliens-L 4) Contributes to Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN)

Slide 25: Global Invasive Species Database Describes the species in plain English, record where it is, how it gets around, the damage it is doing, and not just what’s being done about it, but also who can assist with advice. Describes the species in plain English, record where it is, how it gets around, the damage it is doing, and not just what’s being done about it, but also who can assist with advice.

Slide 26:Authoritative information on IAS that affect biodiversity Management tool as well as raising awareness Standardised, simple format Free & easily available Globally sourced information for local deployment Ecology, pathways Distribution and biostatus (by country) Management (generic and location specific) References, links, contacts Global Invasive Species Database MUST say something about GISD as well as CII. Discuss further if need be. a) Must emphasize growing support for it worldwide, usaed by SPREP in its training, recently added to the NZ/USA bilateral climate change programme. Mention it is labour intensive….. Hint at need for resources if possible, and STRES THE USEFULNESSD FOR NZ DIRECTLY AND THROUGH INCREASING PACIFIC AND GLOBAL BIOSECURITY (NZ SELF INTEREST) Must also keep NBII in audience happy. MUST say something about GISD as well as CII. Discuss further if need be. a) Must emphasize growing support for it worldwide, usaed by SPREP in its training, recently added to the NZ/USA bilateral climate change programme. Mention it is labour intensive….. Hint at need for resources if possible, and STRES THE USEFULNESSD FOR NZ DIRECTLY AND THROUGH INCREASING PACIFIC AND GLOBAL BIOSECURITY (NZ SELF INTEREST) Must also keep NBII in audience happy.

Slide 27:2) Development global register invasive species Aim of such global register / masterlist: Provide a warning that an alien species has been considered to have biodiversity impacts anywhere in the world Users can follow up on those cases that are most relevant to them Information from National and regional sources Agencies, but also practitioners Will include information not formally published ISSG and IUCN expert networks.

Slide 28:3) Aliens-L Dedicated to IAS information and related issues Focus on environmental invasive species You can make use of Alien-L without subscribing to it Searchable archive: http://cain.nbii.gov/cgi-bin/aliens-l.cgi Practitioners helping each other Email based rather than internet Anarchic and grassroots 600 subscribers It works! IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) – Aliens-L Aliens-L is dedicated to alien invasive species, with a focus on those that threaten biodiversity. It allows users to freely seek and share information on alien invasive species and related issues. Participation from all who are interested in the invasive species problem is welcome. To subscribe, send an email without a subject header to: Aliens-L-join@indaba.iucn.org OR listadmin@indaba.iucn.org with the message: subscribe to Aliens-L. To send a message to all other members of Aliens-L, address an email to: aliens-l@indaba.iucn.org For those who would like to make use of Aliens-L without having to subscribe to it, ISSG can post your requests and forward the replies to you. Please, send your email to: issg@auckland.ac.nz To search the Aliens-L archive it is best to use species scientific names but you can also use common names, names of experts, locations etc. IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) – Aliens-L Aliens-L is dedicated to alien invasive species, with a focus on those that threaten biodiversity. It allows users to freely seek and share information on alien invasive species and related issues. Participation from all who are interested in the invasive species problem is welcome. To subscribe, send an email without a subject header to:Aliens-L-join@indaba.iucn.org OR listadmin@indaba.iucn.org with the message: subscribe to Aliens-L. To send a message to all other members of Aliens-L, address an email to:aliens-l@indaba.iucn.org For those who would like to make use of Aliens-L without having to subscribe to it, ISSG can post your requests and forward the replies to you. Please, send your email to: issg@auckland.ac.nz To search the Aliens-L archive it is best to use species scientific names but you can also use common names, names of experts, locations etc.

Slide 29:4) The Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN) Will provide a platform through which IAS data and information from participating databases can be accessed. Build the capacity of network members – ‘capacity building’ database that will be offered at no cost ISSG contributions to development of the GISIN include development of an exchange standard for sharing IAS information (see the draft Invasive Species Profile Schema Login: ias Password: ias2). https://www.biodiv.org/doc/restricted/gisin/default.aspx

Slide 30:Food for thought (1) : Internet ? Digital Divide Providing internet access is not enough – it disenfranchises those with slow, unreliable or NO internet access (e.g S Pacific, Large Parts of Africa,…)

Slide 31:Food for thought (2): Conservation Commons Information is power Social equity – communities must be able to solve their own IAS problems IUCN believes that information for Conservation must be freely available Conservation Commons has the following principles: Open Access Mutual Benefit Rights and Responsibilities

Slide 32:CONCLUSION IAS management requires International information exchange (as well as national and regional) – prior invasiveness information is critical Structured as well as “grass roots” approaches are required Internet is good but not the whole answer Information that will assist IAS management for conservation must be freely available We welcome assistance – partnerships, resources

click here for the presentation URL

Side event during CBD COP-10

Asghar — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:23:35 +0000

During the CBD Conference of the Parties, the Friends of the Conservation Commons are organizing a side event on Removing Barriers and Encouraging Participation in Data Sharing. This will take place on Tuesday 26 October, at 16:30, in Room 236 of Building 2 (on the third floor).

The Friends of the Conservation Commons came into force in January 2010 (www.conservationcommons.net) through signature of the Charter by three founding members. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) signed the Charter of the Friends of the Conservation Commons shortly after the final version was opened for signature in December 2009, bringing it into force in January 2010 as part of the IYB celebrations. The side event will introduce the Friends of the Conservation Commons, discuss removing barriers to data sharing and incentives to participation and encouraging open access to data, and provide an opportunity for signature of the Charter by like-minded organizations. Signatories comply to the following principles: 1 -Open Access: Promotes free and open access to data, information and knowledge for conservation purposes. 2-Mutual Benefit: Welcomes and encourages participants both to use resources and to contribute data, information and knowledge. 3-Rights and Responsibilities: Contributors have full right to attribution for any uses of their data, information, or knowledge, and the right to ensure that the original integrity of their contribution to the Commons is preserved.

World Atlases available online

Asghar — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:31:59 +0000

while a number of United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) publications are available in the Internet Archive site, the World Atlases are now available online, as outstanding copyright issues have been resolved.

Atlas links as follows:

Seagrasses http://www.archive.org/details/worldatlasofseag03gree

Coral reefs http://www.archive.org/details/worldatlasofcora01spal

Coral reefs (German) http://www.archive.org/details/weltatlasderkora04spal

Biodiversity http://www.archive.org/details/worldatlasofbiod02groo

Great apes http://www.archive.org/details/worldatlasofgrea05cald

Great apes (French) http://www.archive.org/details/worldatlasofgrea05jcal

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Asghar — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:59:09 +0000

During June 2010, at an intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder meeting in Busan in the Republic of Korea, a document was adopted which sets the path for establishing an IPBES. The “Busan Outcome” will go to the UN General Assembly later in 2010. Information documents that helped inform discussion during the third IPBES meeting in Busan included one commissioned by the Norwegian Government and prepared by UNEP-WCMC.

This concerned the potential relationships between and IPBES and existing institutions, and may be of interest to organizations involved with and interested in the Conservation Commons.

Potential relationships between the intergovernmental science policy platform and existing institutions UNEP/IPBES/3/INF/11