Side Event

RECONNECTING SPECIES WITH ECOSYSTEMS: WHY SPECIES MATTER

Organizer
CITES, CMS, UNEP and SCBD

Date and Time
18 October 2012 13:15 - 14:45

Meeting
Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 11)

Whilst adopting an ecosystem approach is vital for maintaining the structural integrity of our environment, the individual species components of biodiversity can have crucial significance and possess a particular value to, and excellent resonance with, humans. Individual species are the building blocks of nature. They frequently have high economic and social (cultural) significance and can be used as a barometer of ecosystem health. With ‘empty ocean syndrome’, joining ‘empty forest syndrome’ in the lexicon of environmental dilemmas, it may be time to recognize the value of particular species and reconnecting species with ecosystems