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Datasets, Tools & Reports

Harmonization of National Reporting - Key Papers »

UNEP-WCMC has released a series of papers and reports over the last 15 years, outlining the feasibility of and the steps that are needed to allow harmonized national reporting to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). Many other organisations and researchers have produced work on the topic too, exploring the burden of reporting felt by nations and a variety of means through which to streamline the reporting process. This section brings together these papers for further reading.
Resource Type: Reports
UNEP-WCMC publications on Internet Archive »

Since its creation in 1979 WCMC has produced well over 1500 books and reports. These include both published documents and ‘grey’ literature, commissioned reports and items in the public domain. UNEP-WCMC has selected 380 of the most important books and reports from this collection, and has worked with the Biodiversity Heritage Library to make these freely available online at http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=wcmc.
Resource Type: Reports
Carbon and biodiversity: A demonstration atlas »

The 24 page demonstration atlas, launched at the 14th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, shows that areas high in both carbon and biodiversity do exist and can be identified by relatively simple mapping tools. Prioritising such areas could give the 'double benefit' of reducing emissions from land use change whilst conserving biodiversity. Three regional maps along with six national maps are shown for the tropics, derived from global-scale data.
Resource Type: Reports
Beyond Carbon: Ecosystem-based benefits of REDD+ »

When forests that would have been lost or degraded are retained or restored through REDD+, they deliver ‘multiple benefits’ in addition to protecting or enhancing carbon stocks. These ecosystem-based benefits may include conservation of forest biodiversity, water regulation, soil conservation, timber, forest foods and other non-timber forest products. REDD+ can also lead to direct social benefits, such as jobs, livelihoods, land tenure clarification, carbon credit payments or enhanced participation in decision-making under stronger governance. The UN-REDD Programme works with countries to address both ecosystem-based and social benefits, as well as a range of other REDD+ relevant areas. This brochure focuses on the ecosystem-based benefits of REDD+, which often depend upon forest biodiversity.
Resource Type: Reports
Deep-sea sponge grounds: Reservoirs of biodiversity (2010) »

This report draws together scientific understanding of deep-water sponge grounds alongside the threats they face and ways in which they can be conserved. Beginning with a summary of research approaches, sponge biology and biodiversity, the report also gives up-to-date case studies of particular deep-water sponge habitats from around the world. These include the spectacular giant glass sponge reefs of British Columbia – a relic of the time of the dinosaurs – and the diverse sponge kingdom of Antarctica. Long-overlooked, recent research now shows that deep-water sponge grounds form complex, slow-growing and long-lived habitats in many parts of the global ocean. As well as forming local biodiversity centres, deep-water sponges are also storehouses of novel chemical compounds, some of which show promise in the fight against cancer and other diseases.
Resource Type: Reports
World Heritage Thematic Studies »

The objectives of the World Heritage Convention are the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of the world's natural and cultural heritage and ultimately, the successful transmission of them to future generations. UNEP-WCMC and IUCN have undertaken a range of global and regional studies to support State Parties to the Convention in the selection of potential sites, and to assist in the evaluation of nominations.
Resource Type: Reports
A safer bet for REDD+: Review of the evidence on the relationship between biodiversity and the resilience of forest carbon stocks »
Monitoring for REDD+: carbon stock change and multiple benefits »

This paper investigates the relationship and potential synergies between monitoring systems for carbon stock changes and multiple benefits from REDD+.
Resource Type: Reports
Biodiversity Indicators & the 2010 Biodiversity Target: Outputs, experiences and lessons learnt from the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership »

Th is report summarises the experiences and lessons learnt from the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (2010 BIP), as well as providing details of 27 global indicators developed in support of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)’s 2010 Biodiversity Target.
Resource Type: Reports
Carbon, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services: Exploring Co-benefits Cambodia »

Spatial analyses relating to co-benefits can provide key information to support planning and decision-making on REDD+ at national and sub-national scales. To do so, they should be based on data developed at an appropriate scale and should address those benefits and challenges deemed most important by key stakeholders and practitioners.
This report presents results from an initial effort to produce such analyses for Cambodia. It includes new data on the distribution of terrestrial carbon stocks in Cambodia and analyses of its relation to areas of importance for biodiversity, Protected Areas and other land management units, and pressures (such as forest cover loss). It is expected that the study will be developed further in collaboration with other institutes and stakeholders.
Resource Type: Reports