Case Studies on Conserving and Sustainably Using Biodiversity in Arid and Semiarid Regions of Southern Nations

Abstract

This book is a compilation of case studies focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of global significance in arid and semiarid regions of Southern nations.The case studies were developed as part of the GEF/UNEP funded project "Promoting Best Practices for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity of Global Significance in Arid and Semiarid Zones " (project number GF/1300 -99 -03)implemented by the Third World Network of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO)in Trieste,Italy. An overall goal of the project was to more widely disseminate the lessons learnt and other findings from already existing projects and relevant work conducted by institutions of excellence on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in arid and semiarid areas.We hope that this dissemination will accomplish the following.One,increase the availability and access to information on best practices for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.Two,increase participation of local people in decision making about the use and management of fragile ecosystems. Three,increase awareness of the values of the biodiversity of global significance in arid and semiarid ecosystems in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).Four,increase coordination between institutions working towards the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,resulting in turn,in more effective programming of scarce financial resources and lesser duplication of activities.And five,increase partnerships of institutions in the South and their capacity to develop and implement successful programs to protect biodiversity. Here,we provide some contextual issues pertaining to conceptual clarity about biodiversity and sustainability;prospects and problems of case studies; examples of lessons learnt from the case studies;and recommendations from the case studies.