Canadian Biodiversity Strategy

The Canadian Biodiversity Strategy has been prepared in response to Canada's obligations as a party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. [ [http://www.cbd.int/nbsap/default.shtml National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)] ] . The Strategy has been developed as a guide to the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention in Canada.

Recognition of the world-wide impact of the decline of biodiversity inspired the global community to negotiate the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Canadian delegation participated in the negotiations, the Prime Minister signed the Convention at the Earth Summit in June 1992 and, in December 1992, Canada ratified it [ [http://www.cbd.int/information/parties.shtml Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity] ] . Prior ratifying parties included Mauritius, Maldives, and Monaco.

One of the key obligations for parties that have ratified the Convention is to prepare a national strategy. [ [http://www.cbd.int/convention/articles.shtml?a=cbd-06 Convention Article 6. General Measures for Conservation and Sustainable Use] ]

Elements of the Strategy

The Strategy contains guiding principles supporting a vision of society that lives sustainably, and contains a framework for action to support sustainable development as part of international efforts to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Strategy goals are related to conservation, education, support, and collaboration. [ [http://www.cbin.ec.gc.ca/strategy/default.cfm?lang=e Canadian Biodiversity Strategy] ]

Criticism of the Strategy

Although biodiversity exists at many levels, from genetics to communities to ecosystems, and varies depending on type and organization, most conservation plans - the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy included - tend to focus on tangible, easily measured, visible aspects of biodiversity: species. [ [http://www.nesh.ca/jameskay/www.fes.uwaterloo.ca/u/jjkay/pubs/bocking/bocking.pdf Celebrating Biodiversity: Adaptive Planning and Biodiversity Conservation] ]

ee also

*Biodiversity
*Convention on Biological Diversity
*Canada's Biodiversity Convention Office
*Canadian Biodiversity Information Network
*Biodiversity Outcomes Framework
*Criticisms of the biodiversity paradigm

References

External links

* [http://www.cbd.int Convention on Biological Diversity]
* [http://www.cbin.ec.gc.ca Biodiversity Convention Office]
* [http://www.ec.gc.ca Environment Canada]