The Malibu Declaration

This is certainly of interest here, so I though I'd pass it along . . .
Seán O.


MALIBU DECLARATION CALLS FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVE
TO PROTECT MEDITERRANEAN-TYPE ECOSYSTEMS

Mediterranean-type ecosystems are more threatened than rain forests - that is one of the statements of the new Malibu Declaration (www.interenvironment.org/med-5), calling for an international programme to protect these environments. The Malibu Declaration is the outcome of a workshop on conservation challenges to the world's Mediterranean-type ecosystems, held in Malibu, USA, from 21-24 March 2004. The workshop, held under the auspices of the new WCPA Task Force on Cities and Protected Areas, was organized by the California Institute of Public Affairs and hosted by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Mediterranean-type ecosystems, found in five widely separated parts of the world - California, Chile, South Africa, Australia and around the Mediterranean Sea - only cover 2.25% of the earth's land area, but contain 20% of the world's named plant species. Five of the world's 25 biodiversity "hotspots" occur in these Mediterranean-type areas. Yet, they are under high human pressure: They are amongst the most heavily populated and developed areas on earth, but also, due to their pleasant climate, one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth.

The most important threats include overdrawing of groundwater, removal of indigenous vegetation and spread of alien invasive species disrupting natural systems. At the workshop, John Waugh of the IUCN US Office noted that water scarcity is a common feature of Mediterranean-type ecosystems and stressed the need to protect the capacity of the environment to provide water supply to human settlements. Degraded ecosystems, combined with the threats from swelling populations and climate change, can potentially combine in the future to an environmentally driven humanitarian crisis.

Some progress is being made in protecting these ecosystems, however. In California, for example, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has acquired 55,000 biologically signifant acres (22,300 ha) for permanent protection. Similar efforts are underway elsewhere, but recognition of the need to act is still behind. The Malibu Declaration calls for an international programme to improve the management of Mediterranean-type ecosystems, expansion of reserves, and public education about the distinctive character of these regions and the limits of their natural resources.

Endorsement for the Malibu Declaration will be sought at MEDECOS (www.biology.uoa.gr/medecos), an international meeting of scientists specializing in Mediterranean-type ecosystems (25 April - 1 May 2004, Rhodes Island, Greece); and the IUCN World Conservation Congress (www.iucn.org/congress).


h o r t u l u s   a p t u s     -    'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara   sean@support.net   www.hortulusaptus.com
1034A Virginia Street, Berkeley, California 94710-1853, U.S.A.

Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index