2009 International Day for Biological Diversity: Invasive Alien Species
The theme for the International Day on Biological Diversity (IBD) in 2009 is invasive alien species (IAS). IAS constitute one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, and to the ecological and economic well-being of Earth and its inhabitants. The celebration of IBD (also known as “World Biodiversity Day”) provides an opportunity to raise awareness for invasive alien species and to increase practical action to tackle the problem.
Background about International Day for Biological Diversity:
The United Nations proclaimed 22 May International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues and to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
LAB pioneers celebrate World Biodiversity Day
Many LAB pioneers have reported on how they will be celebrating International Biodiversity Day. Click here to download a list of these activities. Or click on each link below to find out how each city celebrated the day.
Video Message by Dr Ahmend Djoglaf
The video message by CBD Executive Secretary Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, on the
occasion of the International Day on Biodiversity (total duration 8:30
minutes, both in low and high resolutions) along with the written
statement, are available on:
high-resolution
low-resolution
Download a brochure detailing a list of IBD activities planned by the cities of the Global Partnership on Cities and Biodiversity.
We strongly encourage you to use these resources to spread the IDB message broadly
LAB Project Team celebrates World Biodiversity Day
The LAB team will also be celebrating World Biodiversity. LAB is coordinated from the ICLEI Africa Secretariat in Cape Town, South Africa, and its offices are hosted by the City of Cape Town. Members of the LAB Project Team will take part in some of the IBD activities which the City of Cape Town has planned. The team will be attending a Youth and Environment Schools Programme celebration event at the Kisrtenbosch Botanical Gardens.
What are invasive alien species?
“Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health. In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, including decline or elimination of native species - through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens - and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions.
Invasive alien species, introduced and/or spread outside their natural habitats, have affected native biodiversity in almost every ecosystem type on earth and are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Since the 17th century, invasive alien species have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known (CBD, 2006).
The problem continues to grow at great socio-economic, health and ecological cost around the world. Invasive alien species exacerbate poverty and threaten development through their impact on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and natural systems, which are an important basis of peoples’ livelihoods in developing countries. This damage is aggravated by climate change, pollution, habitat loss and human-induced disturbance.
Most countries are grappling with complex and costly invasive species problems. For example, the annual environmental losses caused by introduced pests in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, India and Brazil have been calculated at over US$ 100 billion (CBD, 2006). Addressing the problem of invasive alien species is urgent because the threat is growing daily, and the economic and environmental impacts are severe.”
From the CBD website www.cbd.int
Tell LAB how you celebrated IBD
Local Action for Biodiversity is interested to hear how you celebrated International Biological Diversity Day. Please remember to email us with information and photographs about your celebrations to lab@iclei.org