IIED Links:

Related Links:

Theme: Local rights, values and knowledge systems

Recognising local biodiversity values

Different interest groups prioritise different biodiversity values. Standard biodiversity assessment methods focus on monitoring and protecting globally threatened species and tend to ignore the value of biodiversity to local livelihoods. This can have important effects on land use decisions.

BLG recently published a study, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, which reviews a range of approaches to biodiversity assessment, from qualitative appraisals to formalised sets of indicators, and suggests how improvements can be made to reflect the values of different interest groups. [Link to BLG/Pubs/Series: Integrating Local and Global Biodiversity Values].

This work has led to inputs to a number of ongoing initiatives internationally, including contribution to the new edition of the UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Assessment Manual and production of guidance materials for the Rio Tinto Group’s Global Biodiversity Strategy.

Further work is planned to examine how local biodiversity values can be incorporated into the predominantly Northern driven conservation agenda. A component of this work will focus on developing tools to assess local values and integrate them with biodiversity assessments, including the monitoring process for meeting the CBD’s 2010 target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss.

Project partners:

Doug Sheil
Centre for International Forestry Research, (CIFOR)

UNEP World Conservation Monitronig Centre, (WCMC)Contact:

Sonja Vermeulen, IIED
Email: Sonja.vermeulen@iied.org

Copyright © 2005 International Institute for Environment and Development.
All rights reserved.
3 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0DD, email: info@iied.org.
tel: +44 (0) 20 7388 2117, fax: +44 (0) 20 7388 2826.
UK Registered charity no. 800066.

Contact the Web Developer | Legal Notice