1973 iucn yearbook

Considerable information on marine habitats is available in many
different agencies and places and among individual experts throughout
the world but this information must be brought together. No comprehensive
listing and little detailed data on these critical habitats exists.
Without them, conservation action is impeded.
This project provides a mechanism for harnessing the efforts of a
number of specialists on marine science and conservation in various
institutions and agencies throughout the world, and bringing these
efforts to bear upon the conservation of habitats critical for the survival
of marine species. In particular it will involve: identification and description
of critical habitats in need of immediate protection; formulation of
guidelines for the protection, use and management of these critical
habitats and of the ecosystems of which they form a part; and development
of a system of classification of marine habitats as a guide to
necessary conservation action.
Emphasis will be placed initially on habitats which are rare, threatened
or fragile, or which support threatened species or numbers of endemic
species. Particular attention will be given, initially, to marine mammals
with a view to locating habitats critical to their survival.
The project is being coordinated by its principal investigator, G. Carleton
Ray, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
Conservation of natural resources in high mountains
This project covers the preparation of an international workshop in
1976 on conservation of the natural resources of high mountain areas.
The conference will focus attention on conservation issues in areas
which extend above a natural timberline, or support altitudinal vegetational
zones which differ in a marked way from the surrounding lowlands.
Ecological guidelines for conservation of these areas will be
developed by the meeting. The project will be carried out in close cooperation
with MAB Project 6, "Impact of Human Activities on
Mountain Ecosystems".
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