Organisations and Networks

Policy bodies	Research organisations	Development and conservation organisations
Funding organisations	Information and Databases	Exemplary projects and initiatives

Policy bodies

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is one of the key agreements from the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The goals are conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat is hosted at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Montreal, Canada. Its main functions are to support the Conference of the Parties and other subsidiary bodies of the Convention and to coordinate with other relevant international bodies.

The Alpine Convention is a Framework Treaty between Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and the EC for the protection and sustainable development of the Alpine region. It came into force in March 1995 and sets out the basic principles and general measures for the sustainable development of the Alpine region. As well as the framework Treaty, eight thematic protocols have been adopted in the fields of: land planning and sustainable development, nature protection and landscape, mountain agriculture, mountain forests, soil protection, energy, tourism and transport. An action plan on climate change was adopted in 2009. The Secretariat of the Alpine Convention is located in Innsbruck, Austria, with a branch office in Bolzano-Bozen.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It works through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation. The Secretariat is located in Gland, Switzerland.

The Covention on Migratory Species (CMS): The aim of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals, also known as the CMS or Bonn Convention, is to conserve terrestrial and avian migratory species. It is an international treaty that was concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It promotes the conservation of habitats and wildlife. In November 2008, 110 states from all continents, amongst them all the alpine states, were parties to this convention.

Regional Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of High Andean Wetlands was formulated within the Ramsar Convention framework, with the active participation of the countries that enclose the High Andean wetlands and related areas. This strategy is a guiding framework for regional cooperation among the countries involved, for a ten year projection period (2005-2015). Its purpose is the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and wetland complexes in páramos, jalca, puna, and other High Andean ecosystems which maintain a unique biological diversity.

Andean Community (CAN) is a Bolivian/Ecuadorian/Colombian/Peruvian organisation with the objective to integrate the Andes ecoregion. The joint Andean Environmental Agenda contains both short- and medium-term subregional actions that add value to national efforts and help strengthen the capacities of the member countries with regard to environmental and sustainable development issues. Biodiversity is one of its four core subjects. The Andean Environmental Agenda guides the actions of both the Council of Ministers of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Andean Council of Environmental Authorities.

The Carpathian Convention is a framework agreement between the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine for the protection and the sustainable development of the Carpathian Region through a multi-sectoral and integrated approach. The convention also represents a platform for joint strategies for sustainable development, and a forum for dialogue between all stakeholders. The Secretariat is hosted on an interim basis by UNEP in Vienna, Austria. The first Protocol to the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (the Carpathian Convention) - the Biodiversity Protocol - was signed by five of the Carpathian countries on the occasion of the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP2) on 19 June 2009 in Bucharest, Romania. The Parties are currently undertaking the necessary steps to ratify the text of the Protocol and have already started the implementation process, as agreed during COP2.

Research Organisations

Global Research Organisations

DIVERSITAS is an international programme of biodiversity science that aims to integrate biological, ecological and social disciplines to produce socially relevant knowledge and provide a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The organisation runs several biodiversity core projects and supports cross-cutting networks.

Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA) is a crosscutting network of DIVERSITAS. It aims to assess the biological richness of mountains globally and responses to global change, to synthesise results of research, to increase the visibility of mountain biodiversity on the policy agenda, to advocate for research on human influence on natural and cultural mountains landscape, encourage sustainable development of rural upland areas and provide input to policy makers and stakeholders.

Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS): The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is coordinating international efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). This public infrastructure is interconnecting an array of instruments and systems for monitoring and forecasting changes in the global environment to support policymakers, managers, researchers and decision-makers. Biodiversity is one of nine themes of GEOSS.

Global Research Centre for Biosphere Reserve Advancement (C-BRA) is operating as the scientific communication hub under the forth-coming Clearing House Mechanism for UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It coordinates research in and for biosphere reserves, promotes cooperation with politics and media and provides a substantial library on case studies and best practice examples.

Mountain Invasion Research Network (MIREN) strives to monitor and evaluate plant invasions in high mountain systems on a global scale. MIREN uses broad surveys in addition to standardised protocols and experiments in different mountain systems, spanning the major climatic zones.

UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) is a collaborative effort between the United Nations Environment Programme and World Conservation Monitoring Centre. It develops biodiversity indicators and contributes information to global environmental assessments to synthesise and promote use of information on adaptation to climate change in biodiversity conservation.

Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) aims to establish and maintain a world-wide, longterm observation network in alpine environments. Vegetation and temperature data are used for discerning trends in species diversity and temperature, and the assessment and prediction of losses in biodiversity and other threats to fragile alpine ecosystems due to climate change. Currently (May 2009) the network has active observation sites in 65 mountain regions distributed over five continents.

IUCN-WCPA Mountains Biome (Mountain Protected Areas Network) is a global network of about 300 experts devoted to preserving and protecting precious mountain regions of the world.

A Global Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) focuses on identifying unique or highly diverse ecosystems and supporting migratory, endemic or globally threatened species, whose biodiversity is of socio-economic importance.

International Potato Center (CIP) seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities on potato, sweet potato, other root and tuber crops, and on the improved management of natural resources in the Andes and other mountain areas.

International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) is a not for-profit research and development organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger while protecting natural resources in developing countries.

Conservation International (CI)'s work is based on science, comprehensive partnerships and concern for human well-being. CI focuses on safeguarding valuable species, preserving the most important landscapes and seascapes and supporting communities. CI focuses on innovation, raising awareness about conservation and maintaining business-like effectiveness.

Regional Research Organisations: Europe

European Network for Arctic-Alpine Environmental Research (ENVINET) is a network of 17 research organisations in Northern Europe. It focuses on multidisciplinary environmental research, primarily within atmospheric physics and chemistry, marine and terrestrial biology. ENVINET is funded by EU and managed by the Norwegian Polar Institute.

International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps (ISCAR)'s objective is the promotion of the Alpine and scientific collaboration in Alpine research as well as the transfer of research results into practice. ISCAR particularly covers research interests of the Alpine Convention.

Science for the Carpathians (S4C) is a new and quickly developing network originating in the intention of the Carpathian Convention. Biodiversity is one of the priority areas of future research in the Carpathians, as defined by the S4C members.

Bioplatform. European Platform for Biodiversity is a thematic network which aims to improve the effectiveness and relevance of European biodiversity research, to contribute to European Research Area for Biodiversity and to promote the dissemination of current best practices and information regarding the scientific understanding of biodiversity conservation.

Regional Research Organisations: Latin America

Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN) is a network of research organisations, NGOs, universities, private sector and government agencies. It aims to facilitate cooperation for sustainable development of the Andes region by information exchange via electronic communication, virtual working groups, e-conferences and newsletters. CONDESAN hosts the Latin America Mountain Forum regional network InfoAndina as well as the MF Global Node and the decentralised hub for the Mountain Partnership Secretariat. It implements a GEF-UNEP project focused on the Paramo Ecosystem.

Ecuadorian Foundation of Ecological Studies (Ecociencia) is a scientific, private and nonprofit Ecuadorian institution which conducts scientific research on wildlife, conservation of natural and human environments, renewable and non-renewable resources and ecological systems, and promotes protection of wildlife and ecosystems.

Research Institute Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources (IAvH) or Instituto Alexander von Humboldt is a non profit organisation with members including the Ministry of the Environment, public and private universities, local government and non-governmental organisations. The Institute's mission is the promotion, coordination and realisation of research which contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Colombia.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (ICAE) is an academic institution, attached to the Faculty of the Universidad de Los Andes, dedicated to multidisciplinary research in the field of ecology and environment, and also building capacity for scientific research in these areas.

Regional Research Organisations: Asia Pacific

ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) is an intergovernmental regional centre of excellence that facilitates cooperation and coordination among the members of ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organisations on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. ACB is guided by fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biodiversity. It reinforces efforts to engage more sectors and stakeholders in the quest to save the region's biodiversity, and it also forms alliances with key stakeholders at the regional and global levels. The headquarters are located in the Philippines.

The Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB), (the Chinese Academy of Sciences) is a leader in exploring plants, especially from south west China and the Himalayas, for better understanding, sustainable use and conservation of plant diversity. It also focuses research on biodiversity and sustainable bio-resource use in the south west of China, disseminating scientific knowledge and training future scientists.

Regional Research Organisations: Africa

International Council for Science Regional Office, Africa (ICSU ROA)'s vision is excellence in science, linked to policy making and sustainable socio-economic development in Africa. It seeks equitable access to scientific data and information and the establishment of scientific capacity that may be used to contribute to the production of new scientific knowledge for sustainable social benefits.

African Section of the Society of Conservation Biology (SCB) is an international professional organisation dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss and restoration of biological diversity. The Society's membership comprises a wide range of people interested in the conservation and study of biological diversity: resource managers, educators, government and private conservation workers and students who make up the more than 10,000 members world-wide.

South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)'s mission is to promote the sustainable use, conservation, appreciation and enjoyment of the exceptionally rich biodiversity of South Africa for the benefit of all people.

Global Change Research Network for African Mountains (GCRN_AM) is a research network founded by GMBA, MRI and partners from universities in Africa and Switzerland. Its aim is to connect and support global change researchers working in different mountain regions of the African continent.

Development and Conservation Organisations

Global Development and Conservation Organisations

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO): UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) has initiated programmes and activities focusing on diversity and resources provided by nature, humans' impacts on biodiversity as well as how biodiversity affects human activities. These initiatives are intended to contribute to the fulfilment of a global biodiversity agenda.

The Mountain Forum is a global network of over 5,000 individuals and organisations concerned with sustainable mountain development. It fosters information sharing and communication between stakeholders in the research, development and policy sectors. It provides access to on-line and off-line resources and tools, facilitates networking and capacity building and supports policy processes in strategic areas including mountain biodiversity. The Mountain Forum is composed of regional networks in Africa, Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia Pacific with a Global Network hosted by CONDESAN in Lima, Perul.

The Mountain Partnership was launched at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in 2002 as a voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to support national governments and fostering matchmaking between partners. One area of focus is mountain biodiversity. The Mountain Partnership has decentralised hubs in Latin America, North America and Asia Pacific with a global Secretariat at FAO, Rome.

The Mountain Institute (TMI) is an international non-profit organisation focusing on education and outreach to enhance mountain livelihoods, ecosystems and culture of mountain people. It implements programs with communities in cooperation with a wide variety of development, government, academic and technical partners. It has programmes in Asia, North America and South America.

Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) focuses on conservation of species of special importance. Its mission is to conserve the world's biological diversity, ensure use of renewable natural resources and promote reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. It works with diverse partners in implementing projects and carrying out research.

International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) supports scientific research, with projects in all parts of the world bringing together various stakeholders to develop and implement policies, laws and share best practice on biodiversity. IUCN has offices across the globe with its headquarters in Gland Switzerland.

Conservation International (CI) aims to conserve global biodiversity. It focuses on biodiversity hotspots and biodiversity wilderness areas across the globe. It works in partnership with local non-governmental organisations and indigenous people.

Wetlands International's mission is to sustain and restore wetlands, their resources and biodiversity for future generations. Recently, it has started to focus on high altitude mountain wetlands and their biodiversity. It is a science-based organisation and provides tools and information to assist governments in protection and restoration of wetlands.

Ramsar Regional Center for Training and Research on Wetlands in the Western Hemisphere (CREHO for its initials in Spanish) is a not-for-profit international organisation that promotes management and wise use of wetlands in the Americas via capacity building, research and communication. CREHO is an organisation recognised by the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention and has the support of environmental organisations such as WWF, BirdLife and Wetlands International.

RARE Conservation is the leader in social marketing for biodiversity conservation with a successful track record in more than 50 countries. RARE trains and supports leaders from the world's top environmental organisations, local grassroots groups, and governments, in order to create support at the community level and improve the chance of conservation success.

Equator Initiative is a partnership that brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organisations to build capacity and support local efforts to reduce poverty through conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity. The Initiative started in 2002 and addresses the two interrelated problems of biodiversity loss and abject poverty. In collaboration with a wide range of partners, the Equator Initiative concentrates on three thematic action areas: Equator Prize, Equator Dialogue and Equator Knowlegde.

Regional Development and Conservation Organisations: Europe

The International Commission for the Protection of Alps (CIPRA) is a network to exploit the potential of the Alpine space and preserve its cultural and natural diversity. It provides multilingual information in the form of news, a calendar of events and publications and runs a broad knowledgemanagement project, "Future in the Alps", targeted at projects and initiatives for sustainable development. CIPRA participates in the network "Alliance in the Alps" to achieve sustainable development with local citizenry. CIPRA has offices in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, south Tirol and Slovenia with an international Secretariat in Liechtenstein.

Alpine Network of Protected Areas (ALPARC) brings together the large size protected areas within the Alpine Convention area. It fosters exchange between the alpine parks, nature reserves, biosphere reserves, tranquillity zones and others. It links with organisations and institutions of nature protection, local actors, populations and scientists. The main goal is the practical implementation of the protocol of the Alpine Convention, nature conservation and landscape management.

Network Enterprise Alps (NENA) is a network of innovation ("green") enterprises and umbrella organisations across the Alps. The network aims to help alpine enterprises to stay innovative and competitive whilst increasing their contribution to sustainable development. It allows enterprises and organisations to exchange experiences, share know-how, and carry out long term cooperation on specific topics within the Alps.

Carpathian Network of Protected Areas (CNPA) was established by COP1 (11-13 December 2006, Kyiv, Ukraine). Its mission is to contribute to the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians. CNPA is a tool for the implementation of the Carpathian Convention, by enhancing the cooperation of Carpathian protected areas with each other and with other mountain regions of Europe. Currently, a medium-term strategy along with a work plan for the period 2010 - 2015 are being developed and should be finalised by the end of 2009.

The European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy is a forum for natural and social scientists, policy-makers and other stakeholders to identify structure and focus of strategic research, to use biodiversity in a sustainable way, maintain ecosystem functions that provide goods and services, and conserve, protect and restore the natural world, thereby halting biodiversity loss.

The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading leading conservation charity, founded in 1972. It is dedicated to improving biodiversity, protecting existing ancient woodlands and increasing native woodland cover. They also aim to enhance people's awareness and enjoyment of woodland.

Regional Development and Conservation Organisations: Asia Pacific

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional knowledge development and learning centre serving the eight countries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas. It supports regional trans-boundary programmes through partnership with regional partner institutions. It facilitates the exchange of experiences and serves as a regional knowledge hub.

Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities is a network of municipalities active in the field of sustainable development via knowledge-sharing at a community level. The organisation focuses on sharing good practices and successful projects. It also conducts excursions, tours and shares information among different institutions.

Regional Development and Conservation Organisations: North America

Foundation for the Living Forest (VIBO) is a civil society nonprofit organisation founded in 1999. Its main objective is the development and promotion of natural protected areas of the Sierra Madre Occidental within the State of Durango, with particular emphasis on reserves of Biosphere Michilía Mapimí in Mexico.

Northwest Habitat Institute (NHI) is a non-profit scientific and educational organisation. Its mission is to promote and facilitate the conservation of Pacific Northwest native species and habitats through development and dissemination of data-rich and verifiable information, maps and tools and restoration and enhancement of native habitats.

Yellowstone toYukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-US not-for-profit organisation aiming to preserve and maintain the wildlife, native plants, wilderness and natural processes of the mountainous region from Yellowstone National Park to the Yukon Territory. It connects and supports networks of organisations, agencies, and individuals engaged in conservation work.

Regional Development and Conservation Organisations: Latin America

Bolivian Mountain Institute is a La Paz based non-profit organisation with projects in implementation and plans for the years ahead. Inspired by the International Year of Mountains (IYM 2002), the BMI was founded in the same year.

ProNaturaleza's mission is to contribute to the conservation of Peru's natural heritage, especially its biodiversity. ProNaturaleza promotes and executes conservation projects, develops means and management schemes for the sustainable use of natural resources and supports the creation of environmental awareness.

Association of Andean Ecosystems (ECOAN)'s mission is to conserve species of Peruvian flora and fauna in danger of extinction, threatened ecosystems, wetlands and migratory bird species, through protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources in a framework of mutual commitment and participation with local communities.

Natura Foundation Colombia is a civil society organisation dedicated to the conservation, use and management of biodiversity to generate social, economic and environmental benefits within the framework of sustainable human development. It carries out research and development and implements projects for environmental management and sustainable development in Colombia.

AndigenA is a Venezuelan non-profit foundation whose mission is the conservation of the Neotropical Biodiversity, with emphasis on the Andean Region. AndígenA respects native cultures, while searching for viable solutions to current problems of nature conservation. It carries out projects and applied biological research, analyses of economic alternatives and the implementation of environmental education programs, based mainly on community participation.

Pro Biodiversity of the Andes (PROBIOANDES) is a small NGO focused on improving public awareness about the importance of conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity in Peru and the preservation of ecosystems. It contributes to conservation of Peruvian genetic resources by reinforcing in situ and ex situ conservation and promoting market opportunities to exotic products derived from them.

International Conservation Bolivia is an NGO that for over 20 years has promoted the conservation of Bolivian natural heritage and biodiversity. It promotes human welfare and development in a sustainable manner and with respect for nature.

Nature's Friends Foundation (FAN) is a private, non-profit, organisation founded in 1988 dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity in Bolivia. Their work is characterised by scientific, technical, social participation and administrative transparency.

The Mountain Institute (TMI) South American Program, Lima, Peru: TMI developed a comprehensive community-based project in the Huascaran Biosphere Reserve to demonstrate through pilot projects the potential to diversify local livelihoods through community-based tourism and protection of biodiversity hotspots.

Regional Development and Conservation Organisations: Africa

African Highlands Initiative (AHI) is an eco-regional program of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and a network of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), hosted by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). Its aim is to improve livelihoods and reverse natural resource degradation in the densely settled highlands of eastern and central Africa. AHI is a consortium of eastern African and international research organisations that work with local communities, local governments and development partners.

Funding Organisations

The World Bank supports activities in the area of biodiversity including establishment and strengthening of protected areas such as buffer zones; sustainable use of biodiversity outside protected areas; control of invasions of alien species; biodiversity conservation through improved management; and sustainable use of natural resources in the production landscape.

www.rufford.orgRufford Maurice Laing Foundation is a grant-making organisation that provides funds for research, development and social welfare initiatives. Under it's Small Grants Programme, it has funded several research and development projects focused on mountain ecosystems in developing countries. Different projects on mountain conservation can be accessed online.

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) was founded in 2000, and is a global leader in enabling civil society to participate in and benefit from conserving some of the world's most critical ecosystems. The grants are awarded to target biodiversity hotspots in developing and transitional countries. It provides grants to international organisations, small farming cooperatives and community associations.

Christensen Fund is a grant-making organisation for maintaining the biological and cultural diversity of the world, focusing on five geographic regions. Its current focus is on the mountains and valleys of Central Asia and Turkey. The Global Bio-Cultural Initiative is directed towards building and sharing global knowledge, wisdom and practice of bio-cultural diversity, landscape integrity and resilience, as well as supporting global institutions.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a global partnership to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. It provides grants for projects related to six focal areas: biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. A list of GEF funded projects on biodiversity in mountain ecosystems can be accessed at www.gefweb.org

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland's international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Biodiversity is a priority topic under the theme "Environment". SDC undertakes direct actions, supports programmes of multilateral organisations and helps to finance programmes run by Swiss and international aid organisations.

Global Diversity Foundation is a charity which generates funds and focuses on applied research on diverse aspects of biocultural diversity and culture at selected field sites, providing training and education from community workshops to university courses and field projects that improve health, education and rights of communities under threat from the globalised economy.

JRS Biodiversity Foundation is a grant making organisation in the field of biodiversity, aimed at enhancing knowledge and promoting the understanding of biological diversity for the benefit and sustainability of life on earth. Interdisciplinary activities are carried out in collaboration in developing countries and economies in transition, in particular focusing on Africa.

MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant and peaceful world. The Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places and understand how technology is affecting children and society.

Darwin Initiative is a small grants programme that aims to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of resources in less developed countries. The Initiative is funded and administered by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Darwin Initiative assists countries that are rich in biodiversity but poor in financial resources to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through the funding of collaborative projects which draw on UK biodiversity expertise.

Information and Databases

Mountain Forum holds resources on global mountain biodiversity: 330 searchable profiles of mountain organisations working on biodiversity in Who is Who in Sustainable Mountain Development www.mountainforum.org/wisw/index.php; over 300 searchable documents on mountain biodiversity, www.mtnforum.org/rs/ol.cfm and lists of Mountain Forum organisations, experts and practitioners from different regions across the world.

The World Bank Projects Database contains project documents and information on biodiversity-related projects mostly financed by the Global Environment Facility.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) mobilises biodiversity data, develops protocols and standards to ensure scientific integrity and interoperability of data types from disparate sources. It also promotes capacity building and development of tools for improved decision-making. The GBIF's secretariat is in Copenhagen, Denmark.

UNEP/WCMC World Database on Protected Areas is a comprehensive global spatial dataset of protected areas with information from national governments, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and international biodiversity convention secretariats. It is used for ecological gap analysis, environmental impact analysis and is increasingly used for private sector decision-making.

Biodiversity Hotspots Database was initiated by Conservation International to facilitate free and open access to biodiversity hotspots worldwide. It contains information about species, hotspots by region, sub-region and different Geographic Information System maps.

ICIMOD's Information Resources holds documents on different cross cutting issues and good practices on mountain biodiversity in ICIMOD's online library, especially relevant to the Hindu Kush - Himalayas.

GEF Supported Projects on Mountain Ecosystem links projects on different themes of biodiversity and mountain ecosystems funded by GEF, especially related to government organisations and civil societies.

Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 (GBO-3) is the flagship publication of the Convention on Biological Diversity and preparations are underway to produce its third edition. GBO-3 will be formally launched in 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity.

InfoAndina Portal is a CONDESAN initiative to promote knowledge generation and to bring access to Information on biodiversity experts, organisations, projects and documents.

Paramo Information Mechanism (PIM) is managed by InfoAndina and the Andean Paramo Project (PPA) and makes available information about paramo ecosystems in the north Andean region. Information resources include a directory of researchers, projects and institutions and a virtual library.

The Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) is a forum to foster technical collaboration and coordination among countries of the Americas in collection, sharing and use of biodiversity information relevant to decision-making on natural resources management and conservation, and education to promote sustainable development in the region.

The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is an ambitious project to organise and make available via the Internet virtually all information about life on Earth. At its heart lies a series of Web sites - one for each of the approximately 1.8 million known species - that provide the entry points to this vast array of knowledge.

Map of the Ecosystems of the Northern and Central Andes provides specific guidelines for the preparation of management plans for biodiversity and for developing policies to promote sustainable regional development in the Andean region. This study includes information obtained at the country level and transformed through an approval process database. This is accomplished by a regional overview on the state of conservation of biodiversity in the Andes.

The Biodiversity Information System (SIB) of Colombia is a national initiative wich provides all the information of the country in terms of conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. The process of implementation of the SIB revolves around three main elements: capacity, infrastructure and information content.

Catalog Biodiversity Colombia is an important data bank of species of animals, plants and fungus and is related to biodiversity in Colombia.

Biodiversity in Latin America is a website which works to disseminate information, manage documentation and share activities and proposals of Latin American organisations who works in defence of biodiversity.

Exemplary projects and initiatives

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBes) is a proposed scientific and social platform to strengthen relations between knowledge holders on biodiversity and ecosystem services and actors involved in decision/policymaking processes.

LIFE WEB is a Global Initiative on Protected Areas initiated by the CBD Secretariat, aimed at establishing regional and national protected areas by supporting national governments.

European Biodiversity Network Project (EBONE) is an EU FP7 project. The key challenge of the EBONE project is the development of a cost effective system of biodiversity data collection at regional, national and European levels. The need for the project is to develop a system for coherent data collection that can be used for international comparable assessments, including CBD reporting against the 2010 target.

Governance of Biodiversity (GoBi) Research Group investigates which appropriate management and governance structures of biosphere reserves and protected areas can contribute to significantly reduce the rate of global biodiversity loss.

Ecological Networks in the European Alps is an initiative of CIPRA, the Network of Alpine Protected Areas (ALPARC), the International Scientific Committee for Alpine Research (ISCAR) and the Alpine Program of WWF, in collaboration with the Alpine Convention.

The Alpine Space "ECONNECT" project, co-financed under the Alpine Space programme, and involving sixteen partners from six Alpine countries, promotes conservation of biodiversity through an integrated and cross-sectoral approach. The aim is to ensure an ecological continuum within the Alpine region. The project's emphasis is on the implementation of measures in pilot regions in order to then magnify results using guidelines and best-practice dissemination. The project became operational in September 2008 and will run until the end of August 2011.

Conservation Area Project Talamanca (ProCAT) is an international initiative of the Institute of the Rockies to improve research on biodiversity in the Caribbean Talamanca area, Costa Rica. The project consists of an interdisciplinary team of scientists and local stakeholders working on various issues and projects including habitat modeling, mapping land use, social perceptions, conservation plans and monitoring of cats and their prey.

The Data Center for Conservation-National University La Monila (CDC-UNACM) manages information about the ecological and biological diversity of Peru. It works with species, communities and landscapes, identifying where there is high biodiversity or important natural habitats for conservation. It also collects data about natural protected areas in Peru and uses them for making recommendations on development and environmental management.

Bioandes is a regional programme designed to strengthen the sustainable management of biodiversity in the Andean region. It aims to contribute to conservation and the economic, sociocultural and political status of biodiversity on the basis of livelihood strategies, knowledge and dialogue.

Andean Paramo Project (PPA) seeks alternatives for the conservation of páramos through the implementation of management actions. PPA works in the fields of research, training, and awareness raising of people linked to the ecosystem.

Paranios Altoandinos Génova-Quindio is a project focusing on enrichment of the number of birds and forests in the Páramos Altoandinos Génova-Quindío, promoting education and environmental awareness around the high mountain ecosystems. The project was designed to enrich the number of birds in selected zones and generate ownership of the high-Andean ecosystems amongst landowners and the wider community. Strategies concentrate on education and environmental awareness.
Email: feremellizas[at]gmail[dot]com

Sacred Himalayan Landscape is an initiative in the Himalayas of Bhutan, Nepal and India with a mission to conserve the biological and cultural treasures of the world's highest sacred mountains. It implements conservation projects that include health services, informal education and livelihood projects. It has focused on engaging governments in the equitable sharing of benefits from natural resources and empowering local communities to manage the rich natural heritage of the Himalayas.