More than a fifth of the world's migrating species are at risk of going extinct as a result of climate change and human encroachment, according to this report by the United Nations. Migratory species globally are facing critical challenges, with nearly half in decline and over 20 per cent threatened …
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the first international instrument to deal with issues of ethics and equity with regard to the sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources between those who have conserved them and those who exploit them. This study uses an analytical framework to take a …
This paper reviews the concepts of ecosystem resilience, resistance, and stability in forests and their relationship to biodiversity, with particular reference to climate change. The report is a direct response to a request by the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, in decision IX/5, to …
This publication intends to provide guidance on the benefits of, and ways to integrate environmental concerns into disaster risk reduction strategies (DRR) at the local and national levels. The questions this guidance note answers are: What are healthy ecosystems and ecosystem management? How can we integrate these environmental considerations into …
Wetlands ecosystems are a natural source of local, regional and global significance. Historically their high level of plant and animal (especially bird) diversity is perhaps the major reason why wetland protection has become a high priority worldwide, supported by international agreements, such as Ramsar Convention and the International Convention of …
A reconnaissance survey was undertaken to assess the responses of ground insect communities to habitat restoration efforts in the Attappady hills, Western Ghats. Diversity patterns of various ground insect assemblages such as ants, beetles, etc. were compared across an age trajectory of restored sites. The diversity of these assemblages was …
Environment Ministers from about 190 nations gather in Copenhagen at the end of the year to try and agree to a broader global pact to fight climate change partly spurred by scientists' bleak findings in 2007 about likely heatwaves, floods, desertification and rising sea levels. Following are highlights of that …
For just about 20 years now, the world has taken increasing note of its changing climate marked by global warming; and looked hard for ways to check this process and curb its impact. That long-drawn and painstaking process will be in global limelight when the World Climate Conference takes place …
Over the next century, climate change will dramatically alter natural resource management. Specifically, historical reference conditions may no longer serve as benchmarks for restoration, which may foster a
Papers suggesting that biotech crops might harm the environment attract a hail of abuse from other scientists. Emily Waltz asks if the critics fight fair.
The 13th Century Hauz Khas lake, which was to be developed as a tourist attraction as per a 2003 High Court order, is dying a slow death. When Newsline visited the spot, the water level in the 80,000-square metre lake was low and the water was covered with filamentous algae, …
Optimization of ecosystem goods and services from plantations depend on their sustainable production, protection and management. So far, the objective of attaining optimum production of environmental goods and services has remained a far cry due to uncontrolled exploitation, ignorance and inefficient management strategies. Present paper point towards the efficiency of …
Ecosystem services are the benefits that people derive from nature. Some benefits, such as crops, fish, and freshwater (provisioning services), are tangible. Others such as pollination, erosion regulation, climate regulation (regulating services) and aesthetic and spiritual fulfillment (cultural services) are less tangible. All, however, directly or indirectly underpin human economies …
The Himalayas are a unique natural asset and the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) forms the major share of this. This report presents a set of guidelines and best practices for the governance and sustainable management of the Himalayan ecosystem.
African zoologists are in Colombia to advise local authorities on what to do with dozens of hippos roaming around the abandoned zoo of late drug lord Pablo Escobar in the north of the country. Colombia was shocked last month at news that one of the giant beasts, who had escaped …
