Archive for the 'Biodiversity' Category

 SER2011 Early Registration Now Open

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) is pleased to announce that online early registration is now open for its 4th World Conference on Ecological Restoration, August 21-25, 2011 in Merida, Mexico. Participants are encouraged to register early and take advantage of significant discounts. The SER2011 Scientific Program Committee encourages early submission and will begin rolling [...]



 New bird discovered in Madagascar

The rich and unique biodiversity of Madagascar has a new member: a forest dwelling bird in the rail family, dubbed Mentocrex beankaensis. In 2009 US and Malaygasy scientists conducted a survey in Madagascar’s dry Beanka Forest. They discovered several new species, of which the new rail is the first to be described.



 WCPA-SSC Joint Task Force on Biodiversity and Protected Areas

  After many years in the gestation, WCPA and SSC have launched a joint task force to address the interface between species and protected area conservation. For the current quadrennium, the task force has two objectives:



 The International Year of Forests launched on 2 February, 2011

The year 2011 was declared the International Year of Forests by the United Nations[1] to raise awareness and strengthen the sustainable forest management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations. In the landmark agreement on biodiversity signed in Nagoya, Japan, last year, 193 countries committed [...]



 Year of the Tiger ends with roadmap to save species

The Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar comes to an end on Wednesday having yielded big results for its namesake – an unprecedented swell of public and government support to save tigers in the wild, including a historic global recovery programme. The International Tiger Forum, held in St. Petersburg, Russia in November [...]



 New Spatial datasets on the Red List website

There are several new and updated species distribution datasets available for download from the Red List website, including many marine groups like Angelfish and Butterfly fish. All Mangroves and Seagrasses have also been posted. Other than that, many species within the Amphibians and the Mammals group have also been updated. Distribution data is now available [...]



 New body to stem loss of ecosystems

A new international body aimed at reversing the unprecedented loss of species and ecosystems vital to life on Earth due to human activity has passed its final hurdle with approval by the United Nations General Assembly. In a resolution adopted by consensus, the Assembly yesterday called on the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to take the [...]



 Study Estimates Land Available for Biofuel Crops

Using detailed land analysis, Illinois researchers have found that biofuel crops cultivated on available land could produce up to half of the world’s current fuel consumption — without affecting food crops or pastureland.



 International Symposium on Ecosystem and Landscape-level Approaches to Sustainability

From March 21-24, 2011, more than 300 experts will meet in Burgos to discuss ecosystem and landscape-level approaches to sustainable development.  Landscape-level management experts and representatives from various international organizations involved in developing and applying ecosystem based management approaches will gather in Burgos, Spain from March 21 – 24 , 2011 to explore and strengthen [...]



 UNGA gives the green light to IPBES

During a plenary meeting held yesterday in New-York, the United Nations 65th General Assembly (UNGA) approved the creation of an Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).