These guidelines provide a logical framework for assessing species at sub-global levels; a means of sharing status information with neighboring countries; and a suggested format for documentation and publication of listings to improve compatibility with the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
These proceedings provide an overview of the ongoing research and management activities on polar bears in the circumpolar arctic. Together with the previous 13 proceedings, they provide an historic record of international efforts in protecting, studying and managing polar bears. With recent documentation of how warmer arctic climate might affect the sea ice habitat of polar bears, the predictions of even warmer climate in the next decades, and documentation of effects on polar bears subpopulations, an evaluation of the red list status of polar bear subpopulations was followed by an increased conservation designation of vulnerable. In the complexity of possible interactions between climate change, local harvest, and in some areas high levels of pollutants, an increased level of international cooperation was advocated.
The Vision for Water and Nature is the "environment and ecosystems" component of the World Water Vision exercise of the World Water Council. It represents the first meaningful attempt to fully integrate environment issues into the development of a comprehensive strategy for water resource management at the global level. The vision was developed by IUCN through an extensive consultation effort based on three thematic workshops on freshwater ecosystem management and social, economic and environmental security, respectively. Instead of considering the environment as one of many water management sub-sectors, IUCN's consultations led it to emphasize the crucial role of ecosystems as the basis of our life support systems, without which security cannot be achieved and sustained. The vision also proposes a plan of action to help us achieve the sustainable world we envision in 2025.
There are currently three species of Asian rhino: the Indian or greater one-horned Asian rhino, the Javan or lesser one-horned Asian rhino and the Sumatran or Asian two-horned rhino. Today, all three are threatened with extinction and two, the Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino, critically so. Although the Indian rhino is to be found in greater numbers than the other two, the threats to this species nevertheless remain significant. As in the case of the African rhinos, the threats to the Asian rhinos stem from poaching for the horn, the primary demand for which is in traditional Chinese medicine but which is also a speculator's commodity in several consumer nations. However, a further threat to these animals is also posed by the destruction of their habitat. Indeed, two of these species inhabit the tropical rainforest which is being destroyed. This action plan describes the major requirements for rhino conservation and describes some of the programmes which can and are being implemented to stem the threats to these species such as managed breeding and the "in situ" conservation of their habitats.
These guidelines explore financing options for protected areas and provide advice and information on sustainable financing. Both public and private financing is needed to ensure provision of the private and public goods and services which protected areas provide. A step-by-step process is given which protected area managers can use to create business and financial plans tailored to the needs and strengths of their protected area. Mechanisms are discussed for generating revenue flows from both public and private sources and an overview of potential grant-based sources of financing is given. It concludes with case studies demonstrating how protected area managers worldwide have developed cohesive funding strategies.
A global overview of the potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise on coral reefs, and of the implications of such impacts for ecological sustainable use of coral reefs. Includes information on the status and trends of reef conservation and use around the world, and suggestions for management of reefs in a changing world.
Over the last 30 years the African wild dog population has declined dramatically. Dogs have disappeared from 25 of the 39 countries where they were previously found, and only 6 populations are believed to number more than 100. Today it is believed that only between 3,000-5,500 dogs remain in 600-1,000 packs with most to be found in eastern and southern Africa. The dramatic reduction in their population is attributed to a number of factors including human population growth and activities, deterioration of habitat, and contact with domestic dogs and their diseases. This Action Plan explores some of the reasons behind their disappearance and provides a number of proposed solutions split into 3 priority areas, ranging from habitat management and conservation to monitoring domestic dogs.
Bryophytes are of great importance in their ecosystems and for human well-being. They stabilize soil crust through colonization of bare grounds and rocks; they are essential in nutrient recycling, biomass production, and carbon fixing; they control water through an effective retention mechanism; and they have economic value as peat for fuel, horticulture, oil absorption, and as sources of a wide variety of chemical compounds. Bryophytes have long been used for medicinal purposes and provide a food source for reindeer, geese, ducks, sheep, musk-ox, lemmings, and other rodents. Threats include deforestation, cultivation of forests, reclamation of land, urbanization, roads, dam-building, mining, drainage of wetlands and over-grazing. This plan reviews the situation worldwide and proposes a variety of initiatives. It is aimed at those who work with and care about nature conservation, including governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as politicians and the general interested public.
This action plan chronicles the threats faced by wild orchids, but more importantly to critical habitats that host extraordinarily high orchid diversity and endemicity. It explores and recommends specific ways that national and local government, legislators, scientists and orchid conservationists as well as growers can all help to reverse present trends. The facts and viewpoints presented in this comprehensive document update and supplement the information available to conservation organizations and agencies through the world so that they can lobby their appropriate government offices more effectively.
This handbook is designed for staff in protected areas around the world who encounter conflicts of all kinds. It presents a framework and strategies for responding to different types of conflicts, along with case studies that describe a variety of approaches for dealing with conflict.
This is a strategy for a kind of development that provides real improvements in the quality of human life and at the same time conserves the vitality and diversity of the Earth. The goal is development that will be sustainable. Today it may seem visionary. but it is attainable. To more and more people it also appears our only rational option.' – from Chapter 1 in 1980, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wide Fund for Nature, the world's three most powerful organizations dedicated to preventing environmental catastrophe, published the World Conservation Strategy. It stressed the interdependence of conservation and development, it gave currency to the idea of sustainable development and it made the point that unless the vitality and productivity of the planet are safeguarded, the future for humanity is at risk. Its impact was immediate and worldwide. Now, ten years later, the same three organizations have formulated a new strategy for the 19905. Caring for the Earth builds on all that has been learned in the last decade about the complexity of the problems and shows how radical and far-reaching are the actions and objectives needed to meet them. Nothing less than a new ethic is required, based on affirming the community of life and cherishing its diversity – an ethic which has to be reflected in our personal attitudes and the organization of our communities as much as in wider policies. Public participation is essential for the success of the strategy, which is addressed to individuals and citizens' groups as well as to governments - whatever their systems. Adopting it will not be easy, but it does provide the agenda for immediate action. Originally published in 1991
The Vth IUCN World Parks Congress was the largest gathering of protected area experts. In September 2003, some 3,000 participants met in Durban, South Africa for 10 days of reflection, discussion, debate and networking to consider the state of the world's protected areas, the challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead. Are included the reports on the plenary sessions, symposia and workshop, as well as the main outputs from the event
This review of the European bison’s (Bison bonasus) status clearly indicates that, through proper management and conservation, its present numbers and distribution have improved significantly since its extinction in the wild at the beginning of the 20th century. The Action Plan briefly summarizes the history of extinction in the wild and present status of the European bison, as well as the reasons of extinction. The ecology of the species has been reviewed and threats, including recent diseases, are described. The Action Plan also puts forward future goals in conservation and management of European bison. These include recommendations for captive breeding and reintroduction to natural ecosystems, and the propagation of captive animals with known pedigrees for the preservation of the species and to maintain its genetic purity.
Large areas previously occupied by Warsaw Pact forces have been vacated in Central and Eastern Europe after the political changes in 1989 and 1990. Many of these areas are potentially rich in natural resources and variety of habitats. This report identifies sites of national and international importance in four Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic), makes recommendations for appropriate degrees of protection and proposes management plans for a number of key sites.
The Draft Covenant is a blueprint for an international framework (or umbrella) agreement consolidating and developing existing legal principles related to environment and development. Since the publication of the second edition in 2000, there have been important developments in the field of international environmental law. This revised edition takes account of these changes, following a review of important new treaties and soft law documents, including the Johannesburg Declaration and Plan of Implementation. This publication serves as an authoritative reference and checklist for legislators, civil servants and other stakeholders worldwide when drafting new, or updating, existing policies and law.
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