Conserving the world's biological diversity

The elements now exist that will reverse the trend toward the biotic impoverishment of the world. Novel approaches, new financial mechanisms, and new policies need to be applied at the appropriate level of responsibility to translate the new approaches into a reality of improved human well-being and secure biotic heritage. New partners in conservation need to be found, involving all ministries, departments and private institutions that are directly dependent on biological resources. National parks departments, for example should be joined in habitat management by a wide range of other institutions to represent all interests. Furthermore, other line agencies need to develop the capacity to manage biodiversity of particular relevance to their respective missions. Contains following sections:

• Biological diversity: what it is and why it is important
• The values of biological diversity
• How and why biological resources are threatened
• Approaches to conserving biological diversity
• The information required to conserve biological diversity
• Establishing priorities for conserving biological diversity
• The role of strategies and action plans in promoting conservation of biological diversity
• How to pay for conserving biological diversity
• Enlisting new partners for conservation of biological diversity