DiversItas-International.org
Title
DIVERSITAS - an international programme of biodiversity science
Description
Why biodiversity science? Why DIVERSITAS?
U nprecedented loss and changes in biological diversity are taking place at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, in both terrestrial and marine groups of organisms. In fact, studies of the geological records of known organism groups reveal that the current rate of extinction is several hundred times greater than expected (Dirzo and Raven 2003). This current ‘extinction crisis’, sometimes referred to as The Sixth Extinction, is the direct result of human activities.
Biodiversity loss and change is a matter of concern, not only because of the aesthetic, ethical or cultural values attached to biodiversity, but also because it could have numerous far-reaching—and often unanticipated—consequences for our life-support system. One of the most worrisome possibilities is a reduction in the capacity of natural and managed ecosystems to deliver ecological services, such as production of food and fibre, carbon storage, nutrient cycling and resistance to climate and other environmental changes. Assessing the causes and consequences of biodiversity changes, and establishing the bases for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, are major scientific challenges of our time.
The past decade has seen the birth of the Convention on Biological Diversity and of many conservation programmes aimed at protecting biodiversity. In addition, individual countries are responding to the urgent need for action by establishing national research programmes dedicated to developing biodiversity science. The complex scientific questions posed by the global loss and change of biodiversity are beyond the scope of individual countries and disciplines, and require an additional level of international scientific cooperation.
Contact
- DIVERSITAS
-
- PARIS
- FR 75016
-
- +33.100
