The Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation

The campaign can be broken down into three basic elements: saving biodiversity, studying it, and using it sustainably and equitably.

Saving Biodiversity means acting to protect genes, species, habitats and ecosystems. The best way to maintain species is to maintain their habitats by effectively managing and protecting natural ecosystems and preventing their degradation. The program must include measures to maintain diversity on lands and water that have already been disturbed.

Studying Biodiversity means documenting its composition, distribution, structure and func tion; understanding the roles and functions of genes, species and ecosystems; and using this understanding to support sustain able development. It must build public awareness of biodiversity's values by providing opportunities to appreciate nature's variety.

Using Biodiversity Sustainably and Equitably means using biological resources so that they last indefinitely and are shared equitably. The best economic use of biodiversity may be to maintain it in its natural state for its ecological or cultural values. Biodiversity con servation must take place at all levels, from the individual through the global. Immediate action is needed. Irreplaceable genes, species, and ecosystems are disappearing at a rate unprecedented in human history.

Effective conservation efforts begin where people live and work: in the fields, forests, watersheds, grasslands, coastal zones and settlements. Unless local munities have the incentive, the capacity, and the license to manage bio diversity sustainably, national and international actions are unlikely to produce results. Local biodiversity conservation cannot succeed unless communities receive a fair share of the benefits. But this will be achieved only if conservation actions have an economically sound basis. Benefits to local communities must be increased through such mechanisms as nature tourism and the sustainable use of non-timber forest products.

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