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  Protected Planet Report 2012 »

  The Protected Planet Report 2012 reviews progress towards the achievement of international protected area targets.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Commercialization of non-timber forest products. Factors influencing success. Lessons learned from Mexico and Bolivia and policy implications for decision- makers »

  Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been widely promoted as a potential solution to high rates of tropical deforestation, by increasing the value of forest resources to local people. The content of this book is based around findings from a DFID/FRP funded international research project that has examined why commercialisation of NTFPs does not consistently contribute to poverty alleviation, gender equality and sustainable resource management.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Sourcebook on Remote Sensing and Biodiversity Indicators »

  There are several things environmental managers need to know for a practical understanding. For instance:
  What exactly does the information from a particular satellite sensor represent?
  How can this information be translated into a useful indicator?
  What are the common indicators associated with each major biome?
  What range of accuracy might one expect from a particular remotely sensed indicator, and what
  conditions affect this accuracy?

  We address these and other questions while presenting the overall role that remote sensing can play for developing and monitoring biodiversity indicators relevant to various strategic components of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Patterns of Biodiversity in Arctic Birds: WCMC Biodiversity Bulletin No. 3 (1998) »

  Arctic ecosystems are harsh and inhospitable, containing very low species diversity. However, although the habitats are relatively homogeneous throughout the circumpolar Arctic region, differences in species richness and areas of outstanding species richness can be recognised. Analysis of patterns in species diversity can be used to prioritise regions for conservation in the Arctic. Towards this goal, the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) programme has been compiling information on the distribution and abundance of species and ecosystems in the Arctic. The work described in this report was designed to complement other ongoing projects and was included in the CAFF V work plan. It was carried out under an EU fellowship at UNEP-WCMC.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife »

  The impacts of "human-induced" climate change are now being observed in every aspect of life, and it is the most significant and far-reaching current environmental threat. This book introduces a series of case-studies highlighting the observed current changes in a number of species and habitats, ranging from the tropics through to the polar regions, and in some cases predictions for future impacts.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean »

  Coral reefs are an integral part of the Caribbean fabric, threading along thousands of kilometres of coastline. Unfortunately, these valuable ecosystems are degrading rapidly under the mounting pressure of many human activities. Understanding the nature and extent of these threats and their likely economic impacts on the future productivity of Caribbean coral reefs is of central importance to conservation and planning efforts.

  The Reefs at Risk in the Carribean project was launched to help protect and restore these valuable, threatened ecosystems by providing decision-makers and the public with information and tools to manage coastal habitats more effectively.
   

  Resource Type: Reports

• Global Drylands: A UN system-wide response »

  General Data License (excluding WDPA)

  Datasets Available from UNEP-WCMC: Excluding WDPA
  Access to UNEP-WCMC datasets is provided on the understanding that you read and consent to be bound by the Terms and Conditions attached. For the purposes of this Agreement the “Data” comprise any of the spatial data and associated attribute data downloadable from the UNEP-WCMC website, excluding the World Database on Protected Areas.

  Read the data policy here

  Coordinated by UNEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and prepared by 18 UN agencies through the UN’s Environment Management Group (EMG), involving over 60 development and environment researchers and practitioners, the report sets out a common vision and agenda for UN agencies to step up their efforts to protect and revitalise dryland, and improve the economic and social well being of drylands communities through a positive development and investment approach.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  A Global Review of Protected Area Budgets and Staff (1999) »

  In 1993 and 1995 the World Conservation Monitoring Centre surveyed over 600 protected area agencies throughout the world to obtain data on their budgets and staffing levels. Budget data was provided by 108 countries with 3.7 million km2 under protection (28% of global protected areas), and staffing data was provided by 78 countries with 3.0 million km2 under protection (23% of global protected areas).

  Protected area budgets and staffing levels are positively correlated with economic development (per capita income) and population density. Budgets (per km2) and staffing (per 1000 km2) are negatively correlated to mean protected area size and country's biological richness. Priority countries for financial assistance, identified based on low budget inputs and high biological richness, are clustered in the Congo river basin of Africa, the Indo-China peninsula, and Meso-America.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Coverage of protected areas: Guidance for national and regional use »

  This guidance document is one of a series produced with the support of the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (2010 BIP) to assist Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to track their progress towards the 2010 BiodiversityTarget. Coverage of Protected Areas has been selected as one of the indicators suitable for assessing progress towards and communicating the 2010 Target at the global level. The aim of this document is to provide guidance to support the calculation and interpretation of the Coverage of Protected Areas indicator at the national and regional scales.
   

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Cloud Forest Agenda »

  Cloud forests represent a rare and fragile ecosystem that is under threat in many parts of the world. These rich mountain forests make up no more than 2.5 per cent of the world's tropical forests but contain a disproportionately large number of the world's species. The Cloud Forest Agenda report aims to stimulate new initiatives and partnerships for the conservation and restoration of tropical montane cloud forests around the world. The report provides the first global maps of cloud forests, a regional analysis of the threats facing these forests and information on their biodiversity and watershed importance.

  Resource Type: Reports