Guidelines

Limits to expansion of protected area systems underline the importance of seeking new ways to conserve biodiversity. There are many examples where traditional rural communities have shown their capacity to maintain high biological and cultural diversity.

Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development, and cultures from ancient times to the present day have exploited biodiversity. With the advent of scientific breeding, new plant varieties have been developed. Plant breeders are dependent upon the availability of a large pool of diverse genetic material represented by local races and wild relatives. Without the ability to draw from a diverse genetic reservoir, further improvement may not be possible.

The threatened species categories used in Red Data Books and Red Lists have been in place for almost 30 years. The Red Data Book categories provide an easily and widely understood method for highlighting those species under higher extinction risk, so as to focus attention on conservation measures designed to protect them. This document, incorporating changes recommended by IUCN members, was adopted by the IUCN Council in 1994.

This well-illustrated traininig manual for wetland managers summarises the ecology of freshwater and coastal wetlands in West Africa. It provides an overview of the main tools for ensuring that their values and functions are adequately maintained for the benefit of local communities and wildlife. The technical appendices offer detailed guidance on designing and implementing management plans and monitoring programmes for protected wetlands.

Both Agenda 21 and "Caring for the earth : a strategy for sustainable living" recommend that every country should undertake a National Sustainable Development Strategy in order to mobilize and focus society's efforts to achieve sustainability. This book shows how the task can be approached, drawing on a wide range of national Conservation Strategies, Green Plans, Environmental Action Plans, sectoral plans such as Forestry Action Plans and comparable exercises throughout the world.

The Convention on biological diversity is an historic committment by the world's nations to conserve biological diversity, to use biological resources sustainably and to share equitably the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. It is the first global legal instrument to comprehensivly address all aspects of biological diversity. The guide illustrates the scientific, technical and legal issues which the Convention raises.

These guidelines expand on the system of categories designed to provide a basis for international comparison, identifying categories by their main management objectives and offering 40 examples of how the six categories have been applied. Indipensable for those preparing national protected areas systems plans.