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1272
NEWSFOCUS
2010, THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY, CELEBRATES
Earth’s glorious variety of species and ecosystems. But many are
threatened or damaged. This special News Focus section and a
Review on page 1298 take a broad look at the global status of bio-
diversity and conservation.
The principal international effort is a 1992 treaty called the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which has failed
to meet its lofty goal of a signifi cant slowdown in biodiversity
loss by 2010. Next month, CBD meets to adopt a new strategic
plan.* The draft revises several of the 21 previous subtargets,
such as controlling invasive species and creating more nature
reserves. Below, we examine the major modifi cations proposed
for six central targets, which will be negotiated 18 to 29 Octo-
ber in Nagoya, Japan. For each, we include a recent example
of an advance or setback, as well as the assessment of prog-
ress by CBD’s Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, published in May.
The charts show the change over time of key parameters. These
global trends mask large regional variation, some of which is
explored in the following pages. –ERIK STOKSTAD
*www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/cop/cop-10/offi cial/cop-10-09-en.pdf
Despite Progress,Biodiversity DeclinesAfter failing to meet its major conservation goal, the
Convention on Biological Diversity is setting new
targets for stemming the loss of species
2010 goal: Decrease the rate of loss and degradation of natural habitats.
Progress: “Some.” Many regions rich in biodiversity, such as Indonesia, continue to lose habitat. In the Amazon and a few other places, conservation action or economic recession has slowed the loss. Sustainable forestry is expanding but remains small.
Good news: In May, Canada’s largest timber compa-nies agreed to caribou protection and ecosystem-based management of 72 million hectares of boreal forest.
2020 goal: Halve or nearly eliminate the rate of loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat.
2010 goal: Restore, maintain, or reduce the decline of populations of species of selected taxonomic groups.
Progress: “Some.” In some countries, conservation efforts have helped species recover. Yet overall, more and more are in trouble. (A value of 1.0 on IUCN’s Red List Index means no extinctions are likely in the near future.)
Bad news: The golden toad (Incilius periglenes) of the cloud forests in Costa Rica was declared extinct in 2008. Global warming, pollution, and disease contributed.
2020 goal: Prevent the decline and extinction of known threatened species; improve the conservation status of at least 10% of these species.
In 2002, scientists with WWF published a map of 238 ecoregions selected to represent the range of Earth’s ecosystems. The ecoregions include areas with particularly rich biodiversity or unusual ecology or evolutionary phenomena, such as the radiation of Galápagos fi nches. Many of these areas face dire threats, whereas others are better protected. The color coding groups the terrestrial regions into 14 biomes.
10 SEPTEMBER 2010 VOL 329 SCIENCE www.sciencemag.org
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1970 1990 2010
1.0
RED LIST INDEX
CoralsBirds
Mammals
Amphibians
19901970 2010
0.5
0.7
0.6
0.8
0.9
1970 1990 2010
EXTENT OF SUSTAINABLY
MANAGED FOREST
19901970 2010
0
1
2
3
4
1970 1990 2010
Million k
m2
Degradation of Habitat Conservation Status of Species
2010 goal: To transfer new fi nancial resources to developing country CBD participants.
Progress: “Some.” From 2005 to 2007, offi cial aid increased from about $3.1 bil-lion to nearly $3.9 billion, but the emphasis is shifting to fi ghting climate change. Even rich countries spend just a tiny fraction of their national budgets on biodiversity.
Good news: New money being invested to prevent climate emissions from deforestation will help save biodiversity. In 2008, Norway contributed $1 billion to Brazil’s Amazon Fund.
2020 goal: Increase 10-fold the human resources and fi nancing for implementing the convention.
BIODIVERSITY AID
0
1
2
3
4
5
2008200720062005
$B
illions
Funding for Conservation
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests
Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Temperate coniferous forests
Boreal forests/taiga
Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Flooded grasslands and savannas
Montane grasslands and shrublands
Tundra
Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Mangroves
1
1
2
2
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www.sciencemag.org SCIENCE VOL 329 10 SEPTEMBER 2010 1273
CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY | NEWSFOCUSC
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CREDITS: WWF’S GLOBAL 200 ECOREGIONS; D. OLSON AND E. DINERSTEIN, ANN. MISSOURI BOT. GARD. 89, 199 (2002); (CHARTS 1, 2, 4, 5) ADAPTED FROM CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (2010) GLOBAL
BIODIVERSITY OUTLOOK 3 ; (CHART 3) SOURCE: UNEP, GEF; (CHART 6) ADAPTED FROM S. BUTCHART ET AL., SCIENCE 328, 1164 (2010)
2010 goal: Reduce unsustainable con-sumption of biologi-cal resources or other consumption that harms biodiversity.
Progress: “None.” The goal has not been met globally and is a major reason for biodiversity loss.
Bad news: Prized for sushi, the northern bluefi n tuna is considered critically endangered. In March, conser-vation groups failed in their attempt to get an inter-national ban on trade.
2020 goal: Continue to reduce consumption, with a new goal to end overfi shing and destructive fi shing practices, such as using dynamite or poison.
1970 1990 2010
OVER/FULLY EXPLOITED
OR DEPLETED FISH STOCKS
19901970 2010
50%
60%
70%
80%
1970 1990 2010
Consumption of Biological Resources
2010 goal: Effectively conserve at least 10% of each of the world’s eco-logical regions.
Progress: “Signifi cant.” The target has been achieved for more than half of the terrestrial ecoregions. Overall, 12% of all land is protected, but less than 0.5% of the oceans.
Good news: In May, the United Kingdom designated the Chagos Archipelago as the largest marine reserve in the world, setting aside 544,000 square kilometers.
2020 goal: Protect 15% to 20% of land. CBD has not proposed a fi gure for coastal and marine ecosystems. The draft target emphasizes that protected areas should be interconnected and well-managed.
2010 goals: Establish manage-ment plans and control the pathways for major potential invasive species.
Progress: “Some.” Global trade and travel continue to spread alien species, some of which become invasive. Most countries don’t have management plans.
Bad news: The voracious snakehead fi sh (Channa
striata) of tropical Asia has spread around the world. Around 2007, it arrived in southern Papua New Guinea and is eating native fi shes.
2020 goal: Prioritize control efforts. The target out-lines the steps to be taken.
19901970
Million k
m2
EXTENT OF
PROTECTED AREAS
2010
30
0
10
20
1970 1990 2010
ALIEN SPECIES
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0Change s
ince 1
970
Protected Areas Invasive Species
4 5
5
6
6
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