Status and Trends Of, and Threats To, Mountain Biodiversity, Marine
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cover-no 8 16/04/2003 12:44 Page 1 the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary of BodyAdvice on Scientific, andTechnological Technical on Biological Divers theConvention Status and trends of, and threats to, mountain biodiversity, marine, ecosystems: and inland water coastal abstracts of poster present Secretariat CBD Technical Series No. of the Convention on Biological Diversity The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1993. Its aims are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. One of the major challenges facing the Convention on Biological Diversity is the communication of research results in a way that provides the policy makers, their advisors, the scientific community and other stakeholders with helpful insights. STATUS AND TRENDS OF, AND THREATS TO, MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY, MARINE, COASTAL AND INLAND WATER Major factors leading to biodiversity loss are habitat loss and degradation, invasive alien ECOSYSTEMS: abstracts of poster presentations at species, overuse of resources and pollution. Due to the complexity of these factors, various the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, approaches and strategies are being used to reduce biodiversity loss. All, however, require the best available scientific information that allows the development and implementation of Technical and Technological Advice of the Convention sound management strategies. on Biological Diversity The goal of the CBD Technical Publications Series is to contribute to the dissemination of up-to-date and accurate information on selected topics that are important for the conserva- tion of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the equitable sharing of its benefits. A large and growing body of evidence has clearly established the need to dissemi- nate synthesis publications relevant to CBD objectives and selected reports presented at CBD meetings. 8 The Technical Publications Series is intended to: • Foster scientific and technical cooperation; • Improve communication between the Convention and the scientific community; •Increase awareness of current biodiversity-related problems and concerns; and • Facilitate widespread and effective use of the growing body of scientific and techni- cal information on conserving and using biological diversity. The CBD Technical Publications Series comes at a time when the international community through the Conference of the Parties to the Convention has committed itself to achieving tan- ations at ity gible results in all aspects of the sustainable management of biological diversity for social and economic purposes. We therefore believe that this series will be useful to the broader scientif- ic community and those concerned with biodiversity management. CBD Technical Series No.CBD Technical 8 Also available Issue 1: Review of The Efficiency and Efficacy of Existing Legal Instruments Applicable to Invasive Alien Species Issue 2: Assessment and Management of Alien Species that Threaten Ecosystems, Habitats and Species Issue 3: Assessment Conservation and Sustainable Use of Forest Biodiversity Issue 4: The Value of Forest Ecosystems Issue 5: Impacts of Human-Caused Fires on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning, and Their Causes in Tropical, Temperate and Boreal Forest Biomes Issue 6: Sustainable Management of Non-Timber Forest Resources Issue 7: Review of the Status and Trends of, and Major Threats to, Forest Biological Diversity CBD Technical Series No. 8 Status and trends of, and threats to, mountain biodiversity, marine, coastal and inland water ecosystems: abstracts of poster presentations at the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the Convention on Biological Diversity April 2003 Status and trends of, and threats to, mountain biodiversity, marine, coastal and inland water ecosystems: abstracts of poster presentations at the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the Convention on Biological Diversity Published by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity ISBN: 92-807-2315-4 Copyright © 2003, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Convention on Biological Diversity. As the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity has not authored the texts contained in this publication, it is not responsible for the content of the information provided. This publication may be reproduced for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holders, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. The Secretariat of the Convention would appreciate receiving a copy of any publications that uses this document as a source. Citation Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (2003). Status and trends of, and threats to, mountain biodiversity, marine, coastal and inland water ecosystems: Abstracts of poster presentations at the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Montreal, SCBD, 127p. (CBD Technical Series no. 8). For further information, please contact: Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity World Trade Centre 393 St. Jacques Street, suite 300 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2Y 1N9 Phone: 1 (514) 288 2220 Fax: 1 (514) 288 6588 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.biodiv.org II Status and trends of, and threats to, mountain biodiversity, marine, coastal and inland water ecosystems: abstracts of poster presentations at the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the Convention on Biological Diversity FOREWORD At its fourth meeting, held in 1998, the Conference of the Parties in its decision IV/16 selected mountain ecosystems as one of the items for in-depth consideration during its seventh meeting. The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) decided, at its seventh meeting held in November 2001, that mountain biological diversity would be the theme for in-depth discussion at its eighth meeting. It also decided that it would review the programme of work on biological diversity of inland water ecosystems and marine and coastal biological diversity. Mountain ecosystems are a new topic under this consultation process. They cover about 25 per cent of the Earth’s terrestrial surface. About 12 per cent of the world’s population lives in the mountains, but over 50 per cent are directly or indirectly dependent on mountain resources. Mountain biological diversity is of high importance for a number of ecological functions. The integrity of soils is the prime capital for ecosystem services and human needs. Soil retention and slope stability are closely connected with the extent of above- ground and below-ground vegetation, both essential to ecosystem resilience after disturbance (e.g., high rainfall, avalanches, trampling). The high plant functional diversity of mountain ecosystems may also add to their resiliency and, should extreme disturbances occur, often provides effective barriers to high-energy events such as rockfalls and avalanches. There is still no clear picture of the trends of mountain biological diversity. However, while several of the world’s mountain areas are in relatively good ecological shape, many face accelerating environmental and cultural decline. Although it is beyond doubt that human land use has greatly altered mountain ecosystems, the exact nature of some of the changes and future trends has yet to be established. I am very pleased to make available to the scientific community and those actively involved in biodiversity management the eighth publication in the CBD Technical Series. It contains an abstract of the keynote address delivered by Prof. Christian Köerner on “mountain biodiversity: global hot spots, regional insurance, local livelihood” and 27 abstracts on mountain biodiversity, 12 on marine and coastal biological diversity and 7 on inland water ecosystems presented at the eighth meeting of SBSTTA held in Montreal from 10 to 14 March 2003. It is my hope that this publication will broaden our understanding of the complexity of the issue of mountain biodiversity and at the same time facilitate the implementation of remedial measures to reduce or halt biodiversity loss attributed to many threats. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed in one way or another to the preparation and production of this series. Hamdallah Zedan Executive Secretary III IV Status and trends of, and threats to, mountain biodiversity, marine, coastal and inland water ecosystems: abstracts of poster presentations at the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the Convention on Biological Diversity CONTENTS FOREWORD III Keynote Address MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY: