B - Convention on Biological Diversity

SUMMARYA) STRATEGIC THEMESIn-situ biodiversity conservation - is concerned with conservation of ecosystems, natural habitats, includingmaintenance and recovery of viable wildlife populations in their natural habitats. The main approach for maintainingand increasing the number of species (species richness) consists in habitat and ecosystem management and theestablishing suitable conditions for their further existence.Invasive alien species - this chapter emphasizes the precautionary approach as the main approach towardsmanagement, control and eradication of the above species. It is concerned with the current state of plant and animalinvasion, including activities to date to mitigate the detrimental impact of invasion in the CR. It is pointed out that it isimportant to inform the public of the risks represented by biological invasions.Ex-situ biodiversity conservation - as a whole, is concerned with the aspect of conservation of the componentsof biodiversity outside of their natural habitats. It includes particularly species protection in zoological and botanicalgardens, arboretums and gene banks and is concerned with the aspect of species survival/recovery programmes forwild plants and animals in the CR.Gene banks - this chapter is concerned with facilities and systematic measures employed to maintain the geneticdiversity of living organisms in the form of seeds, pollen, embryos, cryogenic or in vitro cultures or (for field gene banks)in the form of living plants. Emphasis is placed on genetic resources of farm animals, micro-organisms and smallanimals of economic importance and other genetic resources.Sustainable use - this chapter is concerned with the aspect of use of the components of biodiversity in a manner andto a degree that does not lead to the long-term decline. This maintains their potential to meet the needs and aspirationsof present and future generations. This aspect is also the second main objective of CBD. It emphasizes the need foradaptive management.Access to genetic resources and sharing of the benefits arising out of them(Access and Benefit Sharing) - related to the corresponding transfer and exchange of the relevant technologies,while taking into account all the rights to these resources and technologies; this is the third main objective of CBD.In the Czech Republic, this access is implemented, e.g., through the National Programme of Conservation of GeneticResources of Plants, Animals and Micro-organisms Significant for Nutrition, Agriculture and Forest Management andis also related to wild fl ora and fauna.Ecosystem approach as the leading principle in ecosystem management - is integrated management of land,water and living resources, that promotes their conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. This is based onthe application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organisation, which encompassthe essential structure, processes, functions and interactions between organisms and their environment and recognizesthat human beings, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems. CBD defines this interms of the 12 “Malawi Principles”.17