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- About UNEP-WCMC
Policies
UNEP-WCMC does not assert any intellectual property rights in the data made available to it by data providers.
Access to UNEP-WCMC datasets is provided on the understanding that you read and consent to be bound by the Terms and Conditions set out in the policies below.
Datasets, Tools & Reports
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Global variation in terrestrial conservation costs, conservation benefits, and unmet conservation needs »
The benefit-to-cost ratio of conservation is thus far greater in less developed regions, yet these are where the shortfall in current conservation spending is most marked. Substantially increased investment in tropical conservation is therefore urgently required if opportunities for cost-effective action are not to be missed.
Resource Type: Reports -
The Global Trade in Coral »
This study assesses the global trade in coral in an ecological and economic context. Throughout the report emphasis is placed on the trade in live coral for aquaria because the last decade has seen an enormous increase in this business. The taxonomic composition of the trade is identified and the quantities of coral passing between nations illustrate the links between major exporters and importers. Subsequent chapters present data on the practicalities of monitoring international trade in coral at the global scale. Size and growth rate data are used to assess the sustainability of the trade in live coral, and export and retail prices are used to estimate the revenue to exporting nations.
Resource Type: Reports -
Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity »
UNEP-WCMC has provided technical support to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to conduct a major study of more than 300 scientific literatures to synthesise the observed and predicted impacts of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity. The study, Scientific Synthesis of the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity, describes an alarming picture of possible ecological scenarios and adverse impacts of ocean acidification for marine ecosystems, and highlights the direct link between climate change, ocean health and human well-being. The study was released by the CBD on the 14th December 2009 to mark Oceans Day and inform the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.
Resource Type: Reports -
Industrial Reliance on Biodiversity »
While developed countries control most of the world's financial resources, it is the developing world that is home to most of its biological resources. This study provides an overview of the extent to which industry in the developed world relies on the biodiversity of the developing world. The first section of the report reviews the direct consumptive use, with fisheries and forestry the largest components. The remaining chapters examine two specific industrial inputs where biodiversity serves as an information source: the use of wild genetic resources in plant breeding and the use of substances derived from the wild in the pharmaceutical industry. The project was funded under the UK Government Darwin Initiative.
Resource Type: Reports -
In the front line: Shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs »
This report has gathered lessons that have been learned since these events that will be relevant to future management of the coasts in the context of severe weather events and other potential consequences of global warming. More than ever it is essential to consider the full value of ecosystem services - that is the benefits that people derive from ecosystems - when making decisions about coastal development.
Resource Type: Reports -
The linkages between biodiversity and climate change mitigation »
It is clear from the literature reviewed that climate change mitigation policy has the potential to impact biodiversity both positively and negatively. Currently, many renewable energy projects are being planned without consideration for biodiversity impacts; as are some land-based mitigation strategies such as monoculture plantations. However, due to the important role of ecosystems in the carbon cycle, it is clear that the potential exists to develop ‘win-‘win’ mitigation policies that are beneficial for both climate change mitigation and biodiversity.
Resource Type: Reports -
The HERMES Story »
Hotspot Ecosystem Research on the Margins of European Seas (HERMES) was one of the 40 most successful projects under the EU's 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. Following completion of the project in March 2009, The HERMES Story is published jointly by HERMES and UNEP to inform policy and decision makers from around the world about the lessons learned and the amazing new insights into deep-sea biodiversity, structure, function and dynamics discovered under HERMES. The HERMES Story highlights the need for concerted action to protect the deep sea against the increasing pressures, threats and impacts from human activities and climate change, and provides inspiration for the development of similar deep-sea research projects in other regions.
Resource Type: Reports -
Mapping vulnerability of tropical forest to conversion, and resulting potential CO2 emissions. A rapid assessment for the Eliasch Review (2008) »
Using global scale maps and statistics, we estimate that the conversion of all vulnerable tropical forests to the most valuable other land use at each location could lead to emissions of 670 Gt carbon dioxide (CO2). We then evaluate the role of the global protected area network in preventing emissions from tropical deforestation.
Resource Type: Reports -
GIS Assessment of the Status of Protected Areas in East Asia »
The study reviews the situation regarding Protected Area extent, legal status and management constraints in each country and territory of East Asia, using a regional review and gap analysis by applying a simple GIS overlay approach. The WDPA has available a near complete GIS cover of PAs in the region and most large PAs are represented by polygons (boundary information). A few large PAs and many very small PAs are represented by circles of correct area around known centre points of the PAs held in the database.
Resource Type: Reports
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CMS Analysis and Synthesis of National Reports COP 10 »
National reports continue to provide the best means available to assess the status of implementation of the Convention, and a key tool to guide decisions on current and future strategic priorities. This analysis summarises data provided in section II General Overviews (omitting questions on specific Appendix I species) and sections III, V, VI, IX and X of the National Reports.
A more detailed summary of this information is provided in Annex 1 to this report.
Resource Type: Reports
