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Resource Pointer #337 (Biodiversity Conservation and Management)
September 17, 2003

For copies of the following resources, please contact the appropriate publishers or organizations directly.

*Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, 2003* Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 16 Case studies of organic agriculture systems from 10 countries demonstrate the importance of biodiversity conservation and support the use of traditional methods and new innovations that incorporate this goal into production systems. Outlines the ecosystems approach which stresses the connectedness of natural and social systems. From proceedings of an October, 2002 meeting in Rome of the commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. 312 pages. US $36. Contact World Bank Info Shop, 1818 H Street, NW – MSN J1-100, Washington D.C. 20433; phone (202) 458-4500; fax (202) 458-4500; email developmentgateway@worldbank.org; Web site http://www.worldbankinfoshop.org.

*Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge: Equitable Partnerships in Practice, 2002* Sarah A. Laird (editor). Emphasizes the distinction between biodiversity research, a primarily academic field rarely driven by commercial applications or financial gain, and biodiversity prospecting, which exploits biodiversity for commercially valuable genetic resources. Also discusses the role of traditional knowledge, the legal implications of which limit patents on genetic resources by establishing a history of use by a culture. Seeks to bridge these disciplines with equitable partnerships calling for policy, regulations, and institutional frameworks to oversee biodiversity research and prospecting. 504 pages. UK £24.95. Contact Earthscan Publications Ltd., 120 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JN, UK; phone (44 01 90) 382-8800; fax (44 02 07) 278-1142; email earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk; Web site http://www.earthscan.co.uk/.

*Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity, Dossier 2, 2002* Sue Stolton, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Defines the various types of biodiversity — genetic, species, ecosystem, floral, and faunal — and describes ways that organic agriculture can enhance biodiversity. Proposes a mutually beneficial link between the practices of organic agriculture and biodiversity conservation and cites scientific evidence and examples from case studies to demonstrate this link. Concludes with suggestions to develop the connection between organic faming and biodiversity. 20 pages. Euro €9. Contact IFOAM, c/o Ökozentrum Imsbach, D-66636 Tholey-Theley, Germany; phone (49 6853) 919 890; fax (49 6853) 919 899; email headoffice@ifoam.org; Web site http://www.ifoam.org/.

*Genes in the Field: On-Farm Conservation of Crop Diversity, 2000* Stephen B. Brush (editor). Discusses the importance of in situ genetic conservation which calls for the maintenance of genetic diversity on farms and in natural habitats as opposed to ex situ conservation efforts which rely on controlled settings, such as botanical gardens and gene banks, that share little in common with natural plant environments. Recounts recent developments in crop diversity conservation through case studies from throughout the world and investigates the role of science, technology, agricultural policy and institutions in determining genetic resource maintenance. 288 pages. Free with cost of shipping. Contact Earthprint Ltd., P.O. Box 119, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4TP, UK; phone (44 143) 874-8111; fax (44 143) 874-8844; email customerservice@earthprint.com; Web site http://www.earthprint.com/.

*Trainer’s Training Manual for Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, 2000* Paroma Basu and ENDEV, Society for Environment and Development. Discusses the mutually beneficial practices of biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. Includes descriptions and assessments of several conservation methods including community seed banks and exchange networks, cropping systems, and ecological pest control. 68 pages. US $6. Contact Navdanya, A-60, Hauz Khas, New Delhi — 110 016, India; phone (00 91 11) 696-8077; fax (00 91 11) 685-6795; emailvshiva@vsnl.com; Web site http://www.navdanya.org/.

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