Global Biodiversity Assessment

Global Biodiversity Assessment

The Global Biodiversity Assessment -- an independent,

critical peer-reviewed, scientific analysis of all the From 1993 through 1995, a group of
current issues, theories and views regarding experts from World Resources
biodiversity, viewed from a global perspective -- was Institute -- appointed to the Global
initiated in May 1993 and published for the United Biodiversity Assessment Steering
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) by Committee -- helped develop, write
Cambridge University Press in November 1995 with a and review contributions to the
formal launch at the second Conference of the Parties Assessment. The Assessment involved
held that month in Jakarta, Indonesia. thirteen teams of experts who worked
with some 300 authors from over 50
The Assessment is divided into the following sections: countries who contributed to the
Introduction report. In addition several hundred
Characterization of biodiversity scientists from more than 80 countries
Magnitude and distribution of biodiversity and covering many different
Generation, maintenance and loss of disciplines in the biological, economic
biodiversity and social sciences peer-reviewed
Biodiversity and ecosystem function basic various parts of the text.
principles
Biodiversity and ecosystem function biome
analyses
Inventorying and monitoring of biodiversity
The resource basis for biodiversity assessments
Data and information management and communication
Biotechnology
Human influences on biodiversity

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 Global Biodiversity Assessment

Economic values of biodiversity, and

Measures for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components.

A short Global Biodiversity Assessment Summary for Policy-Makers was also produced, highlighting
the main points that are likely to have significance for those formulating policy.

The Assessment and the Summary are not available online but information about obtaining copies of
both are available by searching the Cambridge University Press online catalogue. The following is the
UNEP press statement announcing the release of the Global Biodiversity Assessment.

14 November 1995

United Nations Press Release

HE/916

UNEP RELEASES FIRST GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT REPORT

JAKARTA, 14 November (UNEP) -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today
launched the "Global Biodiversity Assessment" report, at the ministerial segment of the second session of
the Conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The 1,140-page report is the most comprehensive analysis of the science of biological diversity ever
attempted. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and by UNEP, this independent and peer-
reviewed assessment is the work of over 1,500 scientists and experts from all parts of the world.

The Assessment concludes that the Earth's biological resources are under serious threat. The damage
being done today -- largely as a result of human activities -- will limit the range of options that people
will have in the future. In addition, little progress has been made in establishing the scientific foundations
needed for devising effective policies for conserving and benefiting from biological diversity and its
components.

In contrast to the climate change and ozone treaties, the biodiversity treaty was not preceded by a
comprehensive scientific assessment. This is partly because the field of biological diversity is so

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 Global Biodiversity Assessment

complex, and partly because biodiversity researchers and observation systems are much more
decentralized and location specific. The Convention clearly recognizes that there is a lack of knowledge
regarding the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and that there is an urgent need to develop
this knowledge.

"This unique assessment has the potential to shape the scientific agenda for the next decade", UNEP
Executive Director Elizabeth Dowdeswell said. "It could also be the starting point for future assessments
conducted within the framework of the Convention that would begin providing a sound basis for policy-
making."

The Assessment does not attempt to provide an up-to-date inventory of ecosystems and species or an
analysis of international policies and measures. It focuses instead on assessing the scientific
understanding of biodiversity's various components -- ecosystems, species, and genes -- and on
identifying gaps in the knowledge base that should be targeted for future research. In other words, it is a
snapshot of the current state of the biodiversity sciences and of the subject as perceived by the world's
scientific community.

While great advances have been made in recent years, the Assessment demonstrates that scientists still
have only a very incomplete understanding of the Earth's biological diversity. In contrast to many other
sciences, there is still a great range of opinion even on certain basic theoretical issues. Gaps in data are
enormous, and estimates can sometimes differ by orders of magnitude.

"Enormous holes exist in our knowledge of ecosystem diversity," said Ms. Dowdeswell. "We urgently
need a much better understanding of ecosystem dynamics. For example, how big must a nature reserve
be to effectively preserve species diversity? We just do not know. The fact is that most national reserve
systems are based on historical accident rather than a scientific analysis of how they should be structured
to best preserve biodiversity."

Scientific understanding of how species evolve and function, and how genetic diversity is distributed
within populations, also has a long way to go. Another area requiring more research is the knowledge
base of indigenous peoples -- knowledge that is rapidly disappearing as traditional societies become
displaced from their lands.

The Assessment finds that ecosystems of all kinds are under pressure world-wide. Coastal and lowland
areas, wetlands, native grasslands, and many types of forests and woodlands have been particularly
affected or destroyed. For example, in the early to mid-1980s, humid tropical forests were losing nearly
25 million acres annually, or just under 1 per cent globally; dry tropical forests may have lost even more
area. Of the 232,000 square miles of coral reefs in the world, about 10 percent have already been eroded
beyond recovery.

The report estimates that the total number of species on Earth is 13 to 14 million, of which only 13
percent, or some 1.75 million, have been scientifically described. It also notes that the number of species

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 Global Biodiversity Assessment

that have been recorded as threatened with extinction -- about 26,000 plants and 5,400 animals -- is far
from the real total. The status of most of the 1.75 million described species -- let alone the many millions
of undescribed species -- has never been fully assessed. Flowering plants and vertebrate animals have
recently become extinct at a rate estimated to be 50 to 100 times the average expected natural rate.

The report goes beyond evaluating the problem to analyzing various options for ensuring that
biodiversity is conserved and used sustainably. It concludes that biodiversity management must go far
beyond simply establishing isolated nature reserves or setting up agricultural seed banks. Instead, it must
be fully integrated into all aspects of landscape management, including agriculture, socio-economics, and
other relevant fields.

An analysis of the economic values of biodiversity finds that biological resources are used inefficiently
and inequitably. The root causes of the loss of biodiversity are embedded in the way human societies use
resources and in changes in human attitudes to nature. Policies could be adopted that would confront
users with the full social costs of their actions while enabling investors in conservation to reap the
benefits.

The impact of cultural values on biodiversity is stressed, including contrasting attitudes towards nature
and the concept of wilderness. So too is the increasing role of urban biodiversity in human societies.

Specific sections of the report include the characterization of biodiversity, the magnitude and distribution
of biodiversity, basic principles of the functioning of biodiversity and ecosystems, human influences on
biodiversity, and economic values of biodiversity.

The Global Biodiversity Assessment project originated in July 1992 when the GEF Technical and
Scientific Advisory Panel recommended to UNEP that a global assessment of current knowledge in the
broad field of biodiversity be carried out. Following GEF's agreement to fund it, the project was formally
approved by UNEP in May 1993 and a Steering Group was appointed.

World Resources Institute, 10 G Street, NE (Suite 800), Washington, DC 20002 (202/729-7600; fax:
202/729-7610 ). For more information contact [email protected]

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