Conservation Of Biological Diversity Research Articles

Determinants of spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients: A review

Urbanization can create uncertainty for biodiversity. Understanding the spatial distribution of trees along urban-rural gradients is crucial for sustainable land management and the conservation of biological diversity. However, limited information is available on the factors influencing the distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural transition gradients. This paper uses the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to review how distance from urban centers, land use types, socio-economic disparities, and community attitudes and perceptions impact the spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients. The review indicates that the species composition, diversity, density, and spatial arrangement of trees outside forests vary along the urban-rural gradient. The most commonly cited factors influencing this distribution are respondents' attitudes and perceptions of trees, socio-economic factors, and land use variations. Distance from the urban center was the least cited factor. However, there is significant variation in how different factors impact this distribution from study to study. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the factors driving changes in the diversity of trees outside forests in various urban-rural contexts and to determine whether variations exist across different settings.

Tinkering While the Arctic Marine Environment Totters: Governance and the Triple Polar Crisis$

After describing how the marine environment is tottering in the face of the triple environmental crisis, this article explores the limited governance progressions at the global and regional levels in addressing the threats of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss in the especially vulnerable Arctic. For pollution, key limitations include slow and arduous processes to add chemicals for control under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions and reliance at the regional level on a fragmented array of pollution studies and projects but without specific region-wide legally binding pollution standards. For climate change, the world is not on track to meet the Paris Agreement’s temperature targets which is especially problematic for the Arctic cryosphere while the Arctic Council has largely been limited to providing general statements of concern and aspirational calls for enhanced climate mitigation and adaptation actions. For marine biodiversity losses, a pan-Arctic network of marine protected areas has yet to be developed and various implementation challenges surround the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean including the need to ensure adequate financial, human resource and technical support. The paper concludes by highlighting some promising future governance directions. They include: the conclusion of a global treaty on plastic pollution; implementation of a new Global Framework on Chemicals –For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste; expected further clarifications from international tribunals on State responsibilities to address climate change; and regional implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the new agreement under the UN Convention on Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The role of environmental impact assessments in the establishment and management of marine protected areas under the UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement

AbstractThis article analyses the role of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in establishing and managing marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Agreement under the UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). The analysis is conducted by discussing Articles 194 and 205–206 of the UNCLOS and Articles 27–28 and 30 of the BBNJ Agreement. It concludes that the interaction between EIA and MPAs in ABNJ is not only desirable but also critical for the success of MPAs. The BBNJ Agreement operationalises the role of EIAs in establishing and managing MPAs under the UNCLOS by (1) granting EIA an important role in assessing the susceptibility of an MPA to the impact of certain human activities and (2) factoring part of indicative criteria for identifying potential MPAs in the list of criteria to be considered for conducting EIA screening.

Reflections on the Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ Agreement: Its Implications for the Conservation of Biological Diversity in the Marine Arctic beyond National Jurisdiction

The BBNJ Agreement will affect legal frameworks for the conservation of marine biological diversity in various regions of the world ocean and the marine Arctic is no exception. As biological diversity in the marine Arctic is particularly vulnerable, the implications of the BBNJ Agreement for the conservation of biological diversity in the marine Arctic deserves serious consideration. Of particular note is the procedure for an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Given that damage to the environment may be irreversible, it is a prerequisite to conduct an EIA before authorizing planned activities, with a view to preventing environmental harm. An EIA constitutes a crucial element in the conservation of the marine environment, including biological diversity. Hence, this article examines the potential implications of the procedure for an EIA as set out under the BBNJ Agreement for the conservation of biological diversity in the marine Arctic beyond national jurisdiction.

Assessing the Legal Framework for Marine Protected Areas in High Seas: Challenges and Prospects under the UN BBNJ Agreement

Oceans, integral to a healthy global ecosystem, are protected partly through marine protected areas (MPAs). Despite numerous MPAs within national jurisdictions, the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) remain significantly neglected. Currently, most MPAs in ABNJ are governed by the OSPAR or CAMLR frameworks, which exhibit substantial deficiencies due to the fragmented state of international laws. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for instance, offers limited provisions for ABNJ. To address these legislative gaps, negotiations for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) were initiated, leading to the successful adoption of the BBNJ Agreement in March 2023. This paper critically examines the existing regional treaties overseeing high-seas MPAs and explores the innovative approaches introduced by the BBNJ Agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in ABNJ. The analysis concludes that the BBNJ Agreement provides a more comprehensive and sustainable management framework for high-seas MPAs, thus effectively overcoming the limitations inherent in regional treaties.

Implications of the scale of detection for inferring co-occurrence patterns from paired camera traps and acoustic recorders.

Multifunctional landscapes that support economic activities and conservation of biological diversity (e.g., cattle ranches with native forest) are becoming increasingly important because small remnants of native forest may comprise the only habitat left for some wildlife species. Understanding the co-occurrence between wildlife and disturbance factors, such as poaching activity and domesticated ungulates, is key to successful management of multifunctional landscapes. Tools to measure co-occurrence between wildlife and disturbance factors include camera traps and autonomous acoustic recording units. We paired 52 camera-trap stations with acoustic recorders to investigate the association between 2 measures of disturbance (poaching and cattle) and wild ungulates present in multifunctional landscapes of the Colombian Orinoquía. We used joint species distribution models to investigate species-habitat associations and species-disturbance correlations. One model was fitted using camera-trap data to detect wild ungulates and disturbance factors, and a second model was fitted after replacing camera-trap detections of disturbance factors with their corresponding acoustic detections. The direction, significance, and precision of the effect of covariates depended on the sampling method used for disturbance factors. Acoustic monitoring typically resulted in more precise estimates of the effects of covariates and of species-disturbance correlations. Association patterns between wildlife and disturbance factors were found only when disturbance was detected by acoustic recorders. Camera traps allowed us to detect nonvocalizing species, whereas audio recording devices increased detection of disturbance factors leading to more precise estimates of co-occurrence patterns. The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) co-occurred with disturbance factors and are conservation priorities due to the greater risk of poaching or disease transmission from cattle.

International Legal Issues in the Conservation of Marine Genetic Resources

INTRODUCTION. Nowadays the issues concerning conservation of marine biological diversity become important for the community of States in the light of the expansion of the scale of economic activity in marine spaces and of the opportunities of using such resources. At the universal contractual level an answer was proposed to a number of questions that have arisen in this area: on March 4, 2023, the text of the Agreement (under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) with a long title: “on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction” was finalized. It is predicted that the entry into force of this Agreement in the future will create a multilateral legal basis for conservation of biological diversity on the high seas, with the orderly use of its biological resources, to protect such diversity based on the principle of cooperation between States.The purpose of the article is to analyze the legal regime of marine genetic resources conservation based on the text of this Agreement.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The subject of this study comprises international treaties, international customs, general principles of international law and other sources of international law related to conservation of marine biodiversity in general. The methodological basis of the research is represented by a wide range of research methods, namely: formal-legal, comparative-legal, historical-legal and system-structural methods. In addition, the author applied the methods of analysis and generalization.RESEARCH RESULTS. The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the international legal regime of marine genetic resources based on the provisions of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The author considers the history of the development of the draſt Agreement, analyzes its main provisions, and pays special attention to its innovative legal mechanisms.The author proposes their assessment of the content of the draſt Agreement as a universal legal basis for the conservation of marine biological diversity, and suggests some options for strengthening international cooperation in this area.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. As a result of the study, it can be stated that the draſt Agreement, prepared over many years of negotiations and published in March 2023, is a significant political and legal achievement of a universal level in the field of marine biodiversity conservation. At the same time, one can not fail to note the rather general nature of this document, as well as the fact that the entry into force of the Agreement may also require considerable time: objectively, the interests of developed and developing countries in this area are not always close; moreover, each State party to the Agreement accepts the obligation, among other things, that the use of marine natural resources should be linked to the obligation to protect marine environment, and this is always sensitive: a number of developed countries, as is known, under the pretext of economic concern, impose on developing States “green” products of their enterprises, which exacerbates the gap between developed and developing States.That is why the author comes to the conclusion that the international community, along with the development of a universal international treaty, could take the path of developing regional agreements to clarify such a legal regime, which would also contribute to the strengthening of the legal regime for biodiversity conservation at the universal level.

Making Sense of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction: The Road Ahead

The negotiations of the future regulation governing the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction successfully concluded last March 2023 and the BBNJ Agreement was formally adopted by consensus on 19 June 2023. The previous article “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction: ways forward to reach a necessary Agreement”, published in the EPL 52 (1) 2022, defended the BBNJ Agreement potential to make a very positive impact on the governance of the oceans in general and proposed some formulas to facilitate the adoption of the treaty in a scenario where States had very different expectations. The present work reviews that article, first, to update what the result of the negotiation has been with respect to the main issue areas of the regulation; secondly, to identify which negotiation formulas have certainly helped to adopt the treaty; and thirdly, to reflect on to what extent the final text of the Agreement will be ambitious and effective enough to fulfil its objectives.

The Agreement Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation & Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

On June 19, 2023, the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference) adopted, by consensus, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine BioLogical Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement or Agreement). The Agreement, which is grounded in and builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), specifically addresses issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of the marine biodiversity of the high seas. The adoption of the Agreement was the culmination of nearly two decades of work under the auspices of the UN General Assembly.

Promotion of the conservation of biological diversity of interest for tourism in the coastal region of Ecuador

Promotion of the conservation of biological diversity of interest for tourism in the coastal region of Ecuador

Area‐based management tools under the BBNJ Agreement: Ambition or illusion?

AbstractThis article intends to answer the question of whether and to what extent the arrangements for area‐based management tools (ABMTs) under the Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) can contribute to the comprehensiveness, coherence and consistency of the international legal regime relating to ABMTs. To answer this question, the article analyses and evaluates the key aspects of the arrangements for ABMTs of the BBNJ Agreement, including consistency with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the interpretation of ‘not undermining’, decision making and the implementation mechanism. It concludes that the arrangements for ABMTs of the BBNJ Agreement are consistent with the UNCLOS and may contribute to the comprehensiveness, coherence and consistency of the international legal regime relating to ABMTs to a large extent. The article further notes that the arrangements for ABMTs of the BBNJ Agreement are ambitious, but lots of work needs to be done to ensure the ambition does not become an illusion.

The role of territorial governance as an instrument for biological diversity conservation in the Atlantic Forest: Social learning from the Paraná River Biodiversity Corridor, Brazil

In Latin America, in the non-coastal portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, there is the territory of Paraná River Biodiversity Corridor, which shares decision-making processes since 2010 and based on the performance of its Managing Network. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the Paraná River Biodiversity Corridor Managing Network as an instrument of territorial governance for biological diversity conservation actions. Methodologically, the method of participant observation of the Network's meetings was used, in association with the semi-structured questionnaire and content analysis of its technical reports. The results showed that the Network expands institutional action for biodiversity conservation in the territory, enhancing personal learning and the possibility of building shared agendas, for example, the elaboration of a Bioregional Management Plan for the Corridor. Out of every 10 planned actions, seven were completed, which demonstrates confidence in the Network in mediating inter-institutional actions. One of these actions was the approval of an ecological restoration project carried out in partnership by 16 Network members from 2017 to 2022, expanding results and optimizing financial costs. However, there are limitations related to the institutional structure of the Network members, who lack dialogic and administrative prerogatives that end up not favoring territorial integration. Finally, develop actions for the conservation of biological diversity must be planned in a dialogical and participatory way, on a regional scale and mediated, unconditionally, by robust governance arrangements.

Institutionalising science and knowledge under the agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ): Stakeholder perspectives on a fit-for-purpose Scientific and Technical Body

The use of science, scientific information, and other knowledge to inform decision-making is increasingly recognised as an integral feature of environmental governance – a governance principle which is reflected in the new agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). To support the integration of science and knowledge, the BBNJ Agreement establishes a Scientific and Technical Body (STB) and confers the task of finalising the formulation and function of this new advisory body to the Conference of Parties once the agreement enters into force. Therefore, it is a critical time for careful consideration of what is needed to achieve an effective STB. However, to date, there is limited research on what a fit-for-purpose STB would involve for BBNJ or what is needed to operationalise this in practice. As such, we aim to fill this knowledge gap by providing insights garnered from semi-structured interviews with key BBNJ stakeholders. Using qualitative content analysis, we identify and examine eight characteristics that stakeholders deem as important qualities for the STB to encompass, as well as challenges and opportunities for operationalising these qualities in practice. Our findings indicate that a fit-for-purpose STB extends beyond the mere production of high-quality scientific advice - it also necessitates the inclusion and due consideration of other fundamental qualities such as inclusivity and equity, transparency, flexibility, and synergy with the existing governance framework, amongst others, as well as proactive consideration of trade-offs associated with different design choices. These findings are pertinent to the forthcoming endeavour of designing and implementing an STB under the BBNJ Agreement, and more generally, provide insights on normative qualities that stakeholders perceive as important for science-policy interfaces.

Issues of ecosystem conservation and safety (using the example of the “Semey Ormany” of the Republic of Kazakhstan)

The article analyzes the issues of preserving the integrity of the planet’s ecosystem in a rapidly changing world and climate change on the Earth. The authors note that at the present stage, threats arise in nature that require coordinated actions to restore, ensure the conservation and rational use of natural resources, including unique natural complexes. Among these is the ribbon-like pine forest, the history of which is described in the article. The object of the study is a forest natural reserve located in the east of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the “Semey Ormany”. The authors research environmental conservation activity, forest protection and reforestation activities of the “Semey Ormany”, i.e. activities to protect ecosystems necessary to preserve our environment and ensure sustainability for future generations. The analysis carried out in the article allows us to gain and recommendations were made for the conservation of biological diversity.

Forests in Kazakhstan: Issues of conservation and environmental safety

The article discusses issues of forest preservation and environmental safety in Kazakhstan. The authors conduct a comparative analysis of forest cover across regions of Kazakhstan, revealing its low percentage in the Western regions and high in the eastern and southern regions. The article highlights both man-made and natural risks to the forest fund of Kazakhstan. The authors argue that fires, caused by both human activities and natural factors, pose a particular danger to Kazakhstan. Analysis indicates that the dynamics of fires have been intensifying since 2018, which naturally disrupts the structure of the area’s biocenosis. Based on the results of the study, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made for the conservation of biological diversity.

The Common Heritage of Humankind Principle and Marine Genetic Resources: A Critical Assessment of the BBNJ Process

Abstract This article explores the negative implications of the biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (‘BBNJ’) process for the common heritage of humankind (‘CH’) principle, focusing on the discussions over its applicability to Marine Genetic Resources (‘MGRs’). This article argues that the CH under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for deep-sea mineral resources was neither necessary nor desirable for MGRs governance. An analysis of the BBNJ process demonstrates that CH’s exploitation bias is still persistent, which makes this principle politically controversial and prevents the principle from embracing sustainable development. Indeed, Article 7 of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction stipulates the CH as a general principle of the new BBNJ regime. However, the BBNJ negotiations failed to articulate how the CH principle can contribute to managing the living resources, MGRs, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This finding would cast doubt on the alleged potential of the CH principle to govern a broad range of subjects or resources other than deep-sea minerals.

Historical and legal basis for the formation of the habitat concept of biodiversity conservation

Biological diversity is one of the main elements which maintain the environmental stability and considered to be a basic factor of the optimal functioning of ecosystems. At the current stage of society’s development, as a result of intensive economic activity, environmental pollution, climate change and emergence of other negatively influential factors, biodiversity has appeared to be under the threat of a sharp reduction, which, certainly, requires urgent measures from the world community.
 Introduction of the habitat concept as an important direction for the conservation of biodiversity, emphasizing the role and interaction of people with natural ecosystems, consequently contributing to sustainable development and ensuring environmental sustainability, is one of such measures. This concept is based on the awareness of the importance of conservation of natural environments and balanced existence of all living organisms on the planet.
 The article provides a historical and legal analysis of the formation of the habitat concept of biodiversity conservation, which outlines the evolution of the legal approach to the conservation and management of natural resources. Resulting from the interaction of scientific, political and social factors, this process has caused significant changes in the regulation of relations between society and nature.
 The article also provides definitions of such concepts as «habitat» and «habitat concept», and analyzes concepts related to «habitat», such as «landscape», «ecosystem» and «biotope». The author’s definition of the concept «habitat» is proposed, promoting to scrutinize the areas of the earth or water surface that are determined by biological, climatic and geographical features and create conditions for the existence of plant and animal species, both individually and in general.
 Summarizing the research, the author emphasizes that the habitat concept is a key tool for the balanced development, which combines the needs of people with the conservation of biological diversity and natural resources.

Implementation of Biological Diversity Conservation Treaties in China

Biological Diversity, among its very diverse advantages, has been pointed out as key for achieving environmental sustainability. It has however been noted that biological diversity across the globe is being depleted. The international community responded by developing several international treaties for biological diversity conservation, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Ramsar Convention. China is very rich in biological diversity and is party to the Conventions. In addition, China has in place several laws as well as protected areas to ensure the conservation of biological diversity. This notwithstanding, China still faces biological diversity depletion. This has been attributed to among other factors, overpopulation and industrialization. This article therefore seeks to critically analyze the efficacy of the CBD and Ramsar Conventions is ensuring Biological Diversity Conservation. The paper further analyses the extent to which China has achieved its obligations under the conventions. The paper concludes that the treaties, whereas a very good development, have some weakness. In addition, whereas China has done well in meeting its obligations under the treaties, it still faces some challenges. The article among others recommends that China should embrace public participation in ensuring biological diversity conservation. In achieving its objectives, the article adopts the doctrinal method of research.

Chromosomes of Pelophylax ridibundus Pallas, 1771 in different population systems of southern Ukraine

This paper provides the comparative morphological analysis of P. ridibundus chromosomes in different population systems of southern Ukraine. A certain variability and heteromorphism of individual homologs and of whole chromosome pairs was established. The chromosomes of P. ridibundus in populations consisting of a single species (Crimea, Zalisne, Arabat Spit) are relatively stable in quantitative and qualitative terms. Karyotypes are more variable in the lower reaches of the Dnipro River and Kharkiv Region, where the hybridogenic taxon P. esculentus lives together with P. ridibundus. It is assumed that such a relative constancy of chromosomes of southern Ukrainian P. ridibundus in pure RR-systems indicates both a high potential of their resistance to factors and an intraspecific genetic balance. This study is especially important in terms of conservation and enhancement of genetic and biological diversity, which mainly ensures the sustainability of ecosystems functioning.

Prevention of Destructive Fishing Practices: Prospects and Challenges in Law Reform

Destructive fishing practices have been identified as a common problem in the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. The major causes for destructive fishing in Northern region are increasing the demand for fish consumption, lack of alternative jobs for early dropout schoolchildren, increased gear efficiency, policy failure of existing laws, and poaching by Indian and Southern migratory fishers. The dynamiting, bottom trawling, monofilament net, stake net, brush pile fisheries, purse seines and scuba diving have been identified as the most common destructive fishing practices in the Northern region. Consequences of destructive fishing practices include unintentional killing of target and non-target fish and other marine organisms, hampering local fishing activities such as operations of gill nets and fiber plastic boats and threatening environmentally sensitive marine ecosystems in Sri Lanka. The entire fishing sector in Sri Lanka is regulated by mainly the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996 and the Fisheries Act No. 59 of 1979 enacted by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR). The Fisheries Act No. 59 of 1979 prohibits fishing by foreign boats in Sri Lankan waters with provisions to impose penalties for any violations. However, major loopholes which are not included in the act comprise of type of fishing gear, methods and harmful material that are prohibited and specific penalty system for usage of banned fishing gear, materials and methods. At the international level, Sri Lanka has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established to outline a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities. Furthermore, the major international instruments ratified by Sri Lanka are “The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), The Conservation of Biological Diversity (CBD), and The Conservation on International Trade in Endangered species (CITES). However, these legal instruments have not been regulated in the Sri Lankan fishing sector. Therefore, it is necessary to revise the existing laws with proper law enforcement while considering geographical regions, type and abundance of marine resources, oceanography, ecology, social aspects and regular monitoring system of fishing practices to maintain the sustainability of marine resources.