The development of concepts for sustainable use in selected sectors of biological diversity

Context

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) regards "sustainable use" as one common goal of its three primary aims. The CBD defines "sustainable use" as the "use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations." In the last years, there is a growing realisation that biological diversity can only be managed sustainably and meaningfully if it is regarded and protected as a whole. Within the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the 12 principles for the ecosystems approach and 5 application-oriented guidelines were developed for this purpose (see dec. COP V/6). The COP secretariat requested case studies over the implementation of the ecosystem approach on the sectoral and inter-sectoral level to be contributed.

Project aim

Taking into consideration that "forests, mountain ecosystems and protected areas" were topics of emphasis for the next rounds of negotiations of the CBD, it is to be evaluated within the context of this F&E project plan, Germany's experiences of sustainable use of            

Forest ecosystems - mountain ecosystems - protected areas

in existing sectoral strategies. According to the principles of the ecosystems approach, synergies and contradictory effects are to be examined.