The sustainable use of biodiversity – Industry and the CBD

The Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) is a treaty between Governments, but it is of central importance for business. One of the key features of the CBD is the integration of conservation and sustainable use as well as calling for fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources. It is a fact that the private sector is a major user of genetic resources but nonetheless, the participation in scientific research conducted by industry and the transfer of technology developed in the private sector are among the best ways to share benefits. The views of the private sector on the CBD and the nature of commercial partnerships will inevitably have a bearing on the manner in which benefits are shared in practice. They will also influence the extent to which biological resources are used sustainably and whether this will create incentives for conservation.

Assessing and Managing Coastal Ecosystem Response to Projected Relative 
Sea-Level Rise and Climate Change

Accelerated global sea-level rise is regarded as one of the more certain outcomes of global warming, and it is already likely taking place. Relative sea-level rise is a major factor contributing to recent losses and projected future reductions in the area of valued coastal habitats, including mangroves and other tidal wetlands, coral reefs, beaches, and sea grass beds. This leads to an increased threat to human safety and shoreline development from coastal hazards. Small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas of continents are particularly vulnerable to small increases in sea-level. Land-use planners can manage shoreline response to relative sea-level rise to minimize loss of coastal habitat and concomitant risk of damage to coastal development and habitat critical for sensitive wildlife. This paper presents an overview of how coastal habitats will respond to relative sea-level rise and climate change, describes a method to assess site-specific shoreline response to projections for change in relative sea-level developed and being applied in American Samoa, and describes options for selecting and implement policies to manage shoreline changes deemed suitable for different sections of coastline, including abandonment, adaptation, habitat rehabilitation, and coastal hardening.

The long winding road from Barbados to Mauritius: 
Challenges and opportunities in implementing the BPoA.

The United Nations Secretary-General Koffi Annan stated in a 2004 report that “Progress in the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) has been mixed. There is, in particular, a need for more systematic monitoring and assessment to indicate progress or lack thereof in implementing the BPoA, and to identify factors hindering its implementation.”

Climate and Tourism: Island Economies in an Era of Global Change

Many small islands, particularly those in the tropics, rely heavily upon natural resources of sea, sun and sand as the attractions upon which their tourism industries are based.  However, global climate change, including ozone depletion, may modify these resources and how they are perceived by the potential clientele leading to the need for such destinations to adjust to changing circumstances.

The Earth’s “Cool Spots” Under Threat: The Conservation Status And The Priority Need For 
Conservation and Sustainable Use Of Atoll Biodiversity And Ethnobiodiversity In The Pacific Islands

This paper highlights the seriousness of the “biodiversity crisis” in the atolls of the tropical Pacific Ocean. It presents a “snapshot” of the current status of atoll biodiversity and stresses that atolls are “biodiversity cool spots”, which, apart from their, in some cases, very considerable marine resources, have the among poorest and most highly threatened biodiversity inheritances on Earth.

Developing Small Islands and Climate Change

There is no doubt that the climate is changing. Climate change is also affecting our natural world, society and economy. Our climate has been evolving continuously since centuries. But the last two millennia have witnessed an unprecedented change in the climate. The clear message from the scientific community is that this warming is due, at least in part, to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The global average temperature is projected to increase by 1.4 to 5.8 oC over the period 1990-2100 with an associated increase in the mean sea level. Such rapid rate of change will leave the ecosystems less time to adapt, making them more vulnerable to the phenomenon of climate change. Small islands are particular at risk. In this paper, we discuss on climate change impacts on different sectors of the economy that are particularly of interest to small islands. In order to track these changes as they happen, small islands are encouraged to gather together a set of indicators that are influenced by climate. These indicators will be important to assess whether signs of change already emerging develop into important trends that affects our daily lives. Within the next decade or so, the first things to change may be subtle aspects of the behaviour of plants, animals and people. These indicators cover climate such as temperature and rainfall but also include environmental and economic pointers such as risk of flooding and droughts, frequency of cyclones, abundance of butterflies, tourist population. The set of indicators will help to raise awareness of how our climate is changing, the pace of change and how it is altering the fabric of our natural and man-made world forever and it will instill a sense of urgency in responding to it.

Assessment of yam cultivar diversity in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia

Yap is a small island State of the Federated States of Micronesia situated in the Western Pacific. Yam (Dioscorea sp.) is one the two main traditional food crops in Yap that shows a remarkable diversity of cultivars. Exemplary knowledge of women farmers related to its cultivation is such that through a remarkable array of indigenous cultivation practices, they have developed a sustainable system of farming. In order to document yam cultivar diversity, a range of participatory surveys were carried out between 2002 and 2004. The extent of distribution of various cultivars was studied in seven villages. Twenty-three cultivars of Dioscorea alata and seven cultivars of Dioscorea esculenta were recorded based on farmers’ perceptions and IPGRI descriptors. Farmers distinguished yam tubers based on specific morphological traits. Women farmers were reasonably consistent in describing and identifying the cultivars. Linking traditional cultivation practices with modern scientific knowledge could develop strategies to conserve yam cultivars for the benefit of future generations.

Women’s role in the conservation of yam genetic resources in Yap Island 

On Yap, yam cultivation is principally women’s job and, therefore, they possess in depth awareness of various cultivars and the environment in which they grow. They practice various aspects of cultivation such as seed selection, planting, weeding and harvesting. As part of the yam cultivar documentation exercise a series of participatory surveys were conducted between 2002 and 2004 across Yap Island. Evaluation of data from the surveys revealed several indigenous yet innovative practices employed by women for the cultivation of yams. They are employing traditional expertise for the conservation and sustainable use of yam agrobiodiversity. Since Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a signatory to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), it is important to preserve, respect and maintain the traditional knowledge of local communities as suggested by the Article 8 of the CBD.

Impact of Climate Variability on Poverty and Gender in the Coastal Area of Bangladesh with Special 
Reference to Small Islands in Noakhali

Bangladesh as one of the poorest, densely populated low lying country with a long coastline and islands is more vulnerable to sudden climate change conditions such as cyclones and flooding as well as long –term changes such as sea level rise. The coastal area of Bangladesh which is one fifth of the land mass of Bangladesh will be most vulnerable to any change, in short or long term. Noakhali District is one third of the coastal area and is the most dynamic and tectonically active part of the world’s largest delta. It is the most densely populated part of the country with the highest concentration of poorest people and highest number of female- headed households than any other district in Bangladesh.

Constrains and opportunities faced by SIDS for the effective implementation of 
the Convention on Biological Diversity

The Double Edged Sword to Conservation on An Island Paradise

Rachel Atkinson, Plant Project Coordinator, Richard Payendee, Project Manager (Rodrigues), &
Carl Jones, Scientific Director

The biodiversity of small island states is often unique and highly threatened. The threats are two fold; pressure due to development and pressure from exotic alien invasion.

Global Environmental Change Affecting Sustainable Development of the Coastal Zone in Mauritius

Roshan T. Ramessur, Senior Lecturer in Coastal Sciences

Mauritius is at a critical juncture in its socio-economic evolution and the sustainability of its marine resources and the conservation of its exceptional biological diversity depend on a critical understanding of linkages between human activities and ecological responses. The coastal zone of Mauritius was redefined in 1997 in the Environment Protection Act of 1991 (Part VII [Act34] to include all islets within the EEZ some of which can be developed for ecotourism. The limits of the EEZ of Mauritius (1850 km2, 20°S, 58°E, South Western Indian Ocean, 1.12 million inhabitants) have been defined by geographical coordinates through subsequent regulations under the Maritime Zones Act 1977 as the Maritime Zones (EEZ) Regulations 1984. Mauritius has proclaimed its Territorial sea (12 nm) through the Territorial Sea Act of 16 April 1970, its Exclusive Economic Zone (200nm, about 1.9 million sq km) around the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega, Cargados Carajos shoals, Chagos Archipelago and Tromelin and has also defined its continental shelf through the Maritime Zones Act 1977. Galvanized by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development meeting of 1992, there has been a search for methods to build capacity of coastal nations and communities to manage their coastal and estuarine resources in a sustainable manner in Mauritius. Minor coral bleaching was observed around the Mauritian coast in April 1999 and some lagoons along the Eastern Tourist Zone have suffered from eutrophication through submarine groundwater discharge.  There is presently an urgent need to further protect sensitive marine and coastal areas under ICZM.