Island life: our land our sea : protecting the uniqueness of island biodiversity

Abstract

C:\DOCUME~1\tamaral\MYDOCU~1\ISIslands cover more than one sixth of the Earth’s surface, half a billion people, more than half the world’s marine biodiversity, high levels of endemism and they support critical habitats that connect many of world’s migratory species. Inhabited islands, and Small Island Developing States (SIDs) in particular, rely on biodiversity for livelihoods and sustainable development and close links exist between culture and environment that are reflected in traditional knowledge and management of island biodiversity. Smallness, fragility and isolation have led to the highest rates of extinction. In order to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss there is a global imperative to address the conservation challenges of island biodiversity. Vulnerability is increasing as a result of increasing population, overexploitation of culturally and economically significant species, and unsustainable development. The ecological characteristics of islands and their capacity constraints