Cities, Regions and Urban Biodiversity
> 1 August 2007
Biodiversity is the measure of the number, variety and variability of living organisms. It includes diversity within species, between species, and among ecosystems. The concept also covers how this diversity changes from one location to another and over time. Indicators such as the number of species in a given area can help in monitoring certain aspects of biodiversity. Biodiversity includes all organisms, from microscopic bacteria to more complex plants and animals. Biodiversity contributes to many aspects of human well-being, for instance by providing raw materials and contributing to health. Human actions, however, often lead to irreversible losses in terms of diversity of life on Earth.
Urban biodiversity is the biological diversity of urban areas. It is heavily influenced by the built environment and the economic, social and cultural dynamics of these densely populated places. Efficient urban biodiversity management is therefore of crucial importance.
The role of local authorities
18 March 2008
Local and regional authorities manage large areas of land, often the majority of a country’s land. In many cases, they play an important role in approving land-use changes and they plan and implement infrastructure development. They are often in charge of setting long term development strategies and are responsible… Read More
Regions and Countdown 2010
17 March 2008
Biologically diverse habitats do not stop at the administrative boundaries of local government. While regional authorities may have very different political mandates, they are very often acting as facilitators and initiators of processes. They support city-to-city cooperation in biodiversity management, they are key in promoting innovative initiatives, they provide support… Read More
Cities and Countdown 2010
17 March 2008
The year 2007 marked a milestone: it has seen the turning point at which more people live in cities than in rural areas. According to UN projections, 85% of world population growth between 2000 and 2010 will be in urban areas. Cities are therefore responsible for the well being of… Read More
Publications
1 August 2007
Factsheets A number of factsheets have been produced to set out in brief the main issues in relation to biodiversity management and local governments. They are intended to be a user-friendly tool which summarises the global framework, analyses some of the main challenges faced by local authorities and highlights some successes… Read More
Partners and Links
17 March 2006
The Countdown 2010 Secretariat is leading and coordinating the efforts to communicate the 2010 biodiversity targets to local governments and support in the adoption and implementation of their commitments. The Countdown 2010 Secretariat is supported in its work by two key partners: European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC) – An… Read More
