World Conservation Union

Status of marine protected areas in the Mediterranean sea

The main aim of this report is to assess progress towards a network of ecologically representative and effectively managed MPAs that meets international obligations for conservation of the Mediterranean Sea. Specifically, results of this survey were used to measure Mediterranean progress towards the CBD targets of establishing a coherent network of MPAs by 2012 and to protect at least 10% of the Mediterranean Sea by 2010.

Landscape Conservation Law

Present Trends and Perspectives in International and Comparative Law

The attention given to landscape in environmental law is new and the subject raises a series of interesting problems, which were highlighted at a Colloquium. Its central theme was the draft European Landscape Convention prepared by the Council of Europe, the first of its kind. Since 1998, the draft has evolved, and has reached its almost final form; it is expected to be adopted during 2000. In addition to considering the draft Convention, the Colloquium also explored the elements of landscape conservation law in various parts of the world.

Coral Reefs

Corals are a vital component of marine ecosystems. They provide food and protection for a huge variety of fish and marine life; are crucial to sustaining livelihoods among coastal populations; and a key mechanism for ensuring the protection of low-lying coastal areas. Despite their importance, the world’s coral reefs are being destroyed and disappearing at an alarming rate. This beautifully illustrated publication – the first in a series of booklets on coastal ecosystems – is aimed at the general public, as well as decision-makers and coastal developers.

The Urban imperative: urban outreach strategies for protected area agencies

How those responsible for protected areas can better serve people in large cities and build stronger urban constituencies for nature conservation. Proceedings of a workshop at the Vth World Parks Congress

Almost half the world’s people live in cities and this proportion is steadily growing. Protected areas provide important benefits to cities; conversely, conservationists depend on support from voters, leaders, and opinion-shapers largely concentrated in urban centres. This book’s message is that conservationists’ success will depend increasingly on taking these urban connections seriously. Papers examine how those responsible for protected areas can better serve people in large cities and build stronger urban constituencies for nature conservation.

Strategies for national sustainable development

A handbook for their planning and implementation

Both Agenda 21 and "Caring for the earth : a strategy for sustainable living" recommend that every country should undertake a National Sustainable Development Strategy in order to mobilize and focus society’s efforts to achieve sustainability. This book shows how the task can be approached, drawing on a wide range of national Conservation Strategies, Green Plans, Environmental Action Plans, sectoral plans such as Forestry Action Plans and comparable exercises throughout the world.

Marine and Coastal Protected Areas, 3rd Edition

A Guide for Planners and Managers

This is a new edition of the classic textbook on marine protected area (MPA) management in the tropics, originally produced as an output of the Bali World Parks Congress in 1982. Approaches to planning and managing MPAs have evolved considerably. Major advances include innovative financing mechanisms, partnerships with the private sector and NGOs, and collaborative management between government and coastal communities.

Ecosystem approach

Learning from experience

This book follows applications of the Ecosystem Approach over a 5-10 year period in five locations. Key findings include the vital importance of a full stakeholder analysis, of market analysis and of the promotion of institutional evolution.

Values and Rewards

Counting and Capturing Ecosystem Water Services for Sustain

Water ecosystems have long been perceived by decision makers as having little value simply because their economic value is poorly understood and rarely articulated. Calculating the economic value of an ecosystem is a means of providing information which can be used to make better and more informed choices about how resources are managed, used and allocated. This publication attempts to address the challenge of using water ecosystem valuation to strengthen river basin management, and to demonstrate its practical utility for decision making.

Governance for Sustainability

Issues, Challenges, Successes

This report is currently available in an electronic format only. To view the report and others published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), please visit IUCN's website
 
Governance for sustainability is defined as the set of written and unwritten rules that link ecological citizenship with institutions and norms of governance. It is a complex topic because it addresses the three issues of globalization, democracy and sustainability.

Polar Bears

Polar Bears

Proceedings of the 14th Working Meeting of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group, 20-24 June 2005, Seattle, Washington, USA

These proceedings provide an overview of the ongoing research and management activities on polar bears in the circumpolar arctic. Together with the previous 13 proceedings, they provide an historic record of international efforts in protecting, studying and managing polar bears.

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