The United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements defines Biodiversity as:
1) Genetic diversity: the variation between individuals and between populations within a species; species diversity: the different types of plants, animals and other life forms within a region; community or ecosystem diversity: the variety of habitats found within an area (grassland, marsh, and woodland for instance).
2) An umbrella term to describe collectively the variety and variability of nature. It encompasses three basic levels of organisation in living systems: the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Plant and animal species are the most commonly recognized units of biological diversity, thus public concern has been mainly devoted to conserving species diversity.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
In order to enhance coherence and cooperation in implementation, a liaison group was established between the heads of the secretariats of the six biodiversity-related conventions. The Biodiversity Liaison Group or BLG, was formed in June 2004 and meets regularly to explore opportunities for synergistic activities and increased coordination, and to exchange information.
The Biodiversity Liaison Group (BLG) consists of the Heads of the Secretariat of the following conventions:
- Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage;
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES);
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS);
- Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention);
- International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA);
- International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Read the Modus Operandi of the Biodiversity Liaison Group.
Protected areas that are strictly set aside to protect biodiversity and also possibly geological/geomorphological features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure protection of the conservation values. Such protected areas can serve as indispensable reference areas for scientific research and monitoring.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Biosphere reserves are ‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized.
Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:
- The core area(s) comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;
- The buffer zone surrounds or adjoins the core areas, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education;
- The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.
Source(s): http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/
In 2010 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, a ten-year framework for action by all countries and stakeholders to safeguard biodiversity and the benefits it provides to people. As part of the Strategic Plan, 20 ambitious but realistic targets, known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, were adopted. Governments have committed to establishing national targets in support of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The development of national targets and their incorporation into updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) is a key process in fulfilling the commitments set out in the Strategic Plan. National Biodiversity Strategies Action Plans reflect how a country intends to fulfill the objectives of the CBD and the concrete actions it intends to take.
All 20 Biodiversity targets can be consulted here: https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/.
Source(s): https://www.cbd.int/undb/media/factsheets/undb-factsheets-en-web.pdf