. Assessment of the status and trends and options for conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial biological diversity: dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems

Assessment of the status and trends and options for conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial biological diversity: dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,

Noting that, at its fourth meeting, the Conference of the Parties adopted decision IV/16, which in annex II on its programme of work, considers "dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems" as matters requiring in-depth consideration at its fifth meeting,

Welcoming the note by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/7) and recognizing that it constitutes a useful basis for developing further work on dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems,

Recalling the importance of enhancing synergies between the Convention on Biological Diversity and other relevant global conventions and international organizations and processes related to biological diversity of dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems,

Recalling the rich biological diversity and high level of endemism and the intrinsic value of the biological diversity of dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems, their hosting of numerous endangered species, as well as the important role they play as centres of diversity for many genetic resources,

Recalling that the biological diversity of dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems provides the livelihood for many indigenous people and local communities, particularly in developing countries, and the great importance of these ecosystems for agriculture,

Recalling that the knowledge and practices of indigenous and local communities could play an important role in the conservation and sustainable management of the biological diversity of dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems,

Recognizing that several aspects of these ecosystems are covered neither by the current thematic work programmes of the Convention on Biological Diversity nor by other conventions or processes,

1. Recommends that the Conference of the Parties:

(a) Consider adopting a programme of work on biological diversity of dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems; and

(b) Consider providing guidance to the financial mechanism regarding the financing of such a programme of work;

2. Requests, therefore, the Executive Secretary:

(a) To prepare a draft programme of work on biological diversity of dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems, in consultation with the Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, bearing in mind the need to avoid duplication of work with other global conventions or processes, and to present it to the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its fifth meeting. This draft programme, to be based on the ecosystem approach, should take due account of the three objectives of the Convention, and be demand-driven and flexible. It should identify synergies, gaps and overlaps within the current programmes of the Convention, in particular on agriculture, forest and inland water biological diversity and should integrate consideration of such issues as:

(i) Fires, land-use management such as grazing and inappropriate land conversion, soil degradation, desertification, impact of agriculture, invasive species, water management, inclusive of all activities that have an impact on the ecosystems;

(ii) In situ conservation (including protected areas and threatened species), ex situ conservation, as well as restoration or rehabilitation of ecosystems;

(iii) Socio-economic and cultural aspects, including the needs of indigenous people and local communities, and incentives and economic valuation;

(iv) Knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities, in accordance with Article 8(j) and other related provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity;

(v) Capacity-building, particularly in developing countries, including for inventories, evaluations and monitoring;

(vi) Identification of the most threatened components of these ecosystems (including species);

(vii) Sustainable use of the components of these ecosystems, including wildlife utilization, bioprospecting, benefit-sharing and sustainable tourism;

(viii) Taxonomic requirements;

(ix) Education, training and public awareness; and

(x) Exchange of relevant information;

(b) To prepare a reporting framework for this work programme;

(c) To propose to the Subsidiary Body at its fifth meeting a shorter compound name for the title of this work programme that will cover all the types of ecosystems as referred to in annex II of decision IV/16 of the Conference of the Parties;

(d) To invite other relevant conventions, organizations and international programmes to support the elaboration of the programme of work on the biological diversity of dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-arid, grassland, and savannah ecosystems.