Biodiversity - What is it ?
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Biodiversity |
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Lacewing (D A Bender) |
Biodiversity is the 'variety of life' : "The myriad plant and animal species and the range of habitats in which they live. Biodiversity is all life on the planet, from the insects in the grass of an African savannah, to the ubiquitous and familiar birds which inhabit London's parks and open spaces; from the clusters of bacteria surrounding a geothermal vent at the bottom of the deepest ocean, to the frog finding refuge in a shallow garden pond." [From the London Biodiversity Action Plan.]
The Biodiversity Convention was signed by the UK government in 1993, following the Earth Summit in Rio. It reflects a world-wide concern that human activities are changing and destroying habitats and natural ecosystems on an increasing scale, with unprecedented loss of species. Signatories recognised that action must be taken to halt this global loss of animal and plant species and genetic resources and that each country has a responsibility to conserve and enhance biodiversity within its own jurisdiction.
The UKs response to the Biodiversity Convention was 'Biodiversity - the UK Action Plan' which was published in 1994. It said "The overall goal of the action plan is to conserve and enhance the biological diversity within the UK and to contribute to the conservation of global diversity through all appropriate mechanisms."
More specifically, the objectives are to conserve and, where practicable, to enhance -:
- the overall populations and natural ranges of native species and the quality and range of wildlife habitats and ecosytems
- internationally important and threatened species, habitats and ecosystems
- species, habitats and natural and managed ecosystems that are characteristic of local areas
- the biodiversity of natural and semi-natural areas where this has been diminished over recent decades
Friends of the Earth supports fully the preservation of biodiversity. This is one of the major campaign areas at national and local level. We believe passionately that the wondrous range of life on earth should be cherished and protected. We do not believe that it should be sacrificed for alleged economic benefits of yet more roads, airports, business parks or quarries.
If the UK Biodiversity Action Plan is to be implemented successfully, it requires a means of ensuring that the strategy is translated into effective action at local level. Local 'Biodiversity Action Plans' are a prime means of making this happen. This is why we need Biodiversity Action Plans for West London. Without them, we are unlikely to play our part in preserving Biodiversity. More likely, we will just pay lip service to it.