Bamboo biodiversity
Africa, Madagascar and the Americas
Nadia Bystriakova, Valerie Kapos, Igor Lysenko

Communities in Africa, Madagascar and the Americas depend on bamboos for construction, cookery and agriculture. Bamboo also feeds and protects some of the world’s critically endangered species, such as the golden bamboo lemur and the giant panda. The report, compiled in association with INBAR (International Network for Bamboo and Rattan), shows that conservation and sustainable management of wild bamboos should be a priority in the regions assessed, and highlights the increasing threat to bamboos caused by deforestation.

UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series 19
ISBN 92 807 2383 9, 2004
210 x 297mm, 88pp., colour photos, tables, maps
£30 No discount available
Order no. B2124
Also available online from UNEP-WCMC

Bamboo biodiversity
Information for planning conservation and management in the Asia-Pacific region
Nadia Bystriakova, Valerie Kapos, Chris Stapleton, Igor Lysenko

Bamboos are distinct and fascinating plants, with a wide range of values and uses. They play a significant role in biodiversity conservation and contribute to soil and water management, biomass production and world economies. This study uses an innovative approach to map potential current distributions of nearly 1,000 individual bamboo species that occur naturally within remaining forests of the Asia-Pacific region, and reveals that more than 400 bamboo species are potentially threatened by the destruction of natural forest cover.

UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series 14
ISBN 1 899628 22 3, 2003
210 x 297mm, 71pp., colour photos, tables, maps
£15 No discount available
Order no. B2122

Cloud forest agenda
Philip Bubb, Ian May, Lera Miles and Jeff Sayer

Tropical Montane Cloud Forests are a rare and fragile ecosystem that is under threat in many parts of the world. Urgent action is needed to conserve these rich, mountain forests, not only because they harbour concentrations of endemic and threatened species, but to maintain their vital role in the provision of freshwater. This report aims to stimulate new initiatives to conserve and restore cloud forests around the world. It provides maps of their distribution, regional overviews of the threats they face, and an agenda for priority actions. The particular qualities of cloud forests and issues in their conservation are identified, alongside examples of successful conservation methods.
A product of the Mountain Cloud Forest Initiative.

UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series 20
ISBN 92 807 2399 5, 2004
210 x 297mm, 32pp., colour photos, tables
£10 No discount available
Order no. B2125
Also available online from UNEP-WCMC

From Ocean to Aquarium
The global trade in marine ornamental species
Colette Wabnitz, Michelle Taylor, Edmund Green and Tries Razak

With the total value of the marine ornamental trade amounting to US$330m a year and an estimated two million people worldwide keeping marine aquaria, the industry plays a significant role in both source and destination countries. Tropical coral reefs are the most important source of specimens including seahorses, corals, and anemones, starfish and giant clams. Almost all marine aquarium species are taken from the wild, with few examples of captive breeding. Most originate from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. Presented is a brief overview of how the trade functions and the impacts it has on coral reefs, as well as on the human communities that derive an income from trading in marine ornamental species.

UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series 17
ISBN 92 807 2363 4, 2003
210 x 297mm, 64pp., colour photos, tables
£15 No discount available
Order no. B2123
Also available online from UNEP-WCMC

Guidelines for Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring for Protected Areas
Graham Tucker (Ecological Solutions), Philip Bubb, Mireille de Heer and Lera Miles (UNEP-WCMC), Anna Lawrence and Jeanette van Rijsoort (Oxford University Environmental Change Institute) and Siddhartha B. Bajracharya, Ram Chandra Nepal, Roshan Sherchan and Nawaraj Chapagain (KMTNC).

These Guidelines are the result of the "Building Capacity for Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment in Nepal" project, funded by the UK Darwin Initiative. They are based on the practical experience of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre in the development of a biodiversity monitoring system for the management of the Annapurna Conservation Area. The Guidelines are the result of a productive collaboration and are intended to be of relevance for protected area managers throughout Nepal and beyond.

2005
298 x 210mm, vi + 123pp, photos, tables
£10
Order no. B1495
Available online from UNEP-WCMC

Mangroves of East Africa
Michelle Taylor, Corinna Ravilious, Edmund P. Green

This publication provides a concise account of the available information and current issues facing mangroves in East African countries. It comprises a regional summary of the factors and activities that affect mangroves across East Africa, and a series of reports that focus on South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, the Seychelles, Kenya and Somalia. These country summaries include details of mangrove-related legislation, industries associated with and involving mangroves, and details of how mangroves are utilized by local human communities. Information on marine protected areas that cover mangroves is also provided as are regional and national scale maps.

UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series 13
ISBN 1 899628 21 1, 2003
210 x 297mm, 24pp., colour photos, tables, maps
£15 No discount available
Order no. B2121

Protected areas and biodiversity
An overview of key issues
Edited by Kalemani Jo Mulongoy and Stuart Chape

Protected areas are such a significant factor in the planet’s natural resource allocation that they are important indicators in global environment monitoring. Recognition of the importance of participatory approaches and the value of community-conserved areas has also increased significantly. However, there is still much to be done to ensure that protected areas systems and their management are effective in ensuring the survival of species and ecosystems. This publication synthesizes key aspects in the development of protected areas, the level of international commitment and the relationship of protected areas to sustainable development, and reviews critical issues related to their effectiveness. The report has been compiled by the Secretariat of the CBD and UNEP-WCMC as input to the Meeting of the Conference of the Parties in February 2004.

UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series 21
ISBN 92 807 2404 5, 2004
210 x 297mm, 52pp., colour photos
£30 No discount available
Order no. B2126
Also available online from UNEP-WCMC

World Atlas of Seagrasses
Edited by Edmund P. Green and Frederick T. Short

Seagrasses are the only marine flowering plants. A highly productive ecosystem, they are able to support a considerable biomass and diversity of associated species. For the first time this Atlas summarises the opinion and science of the world's leading experts on the global status of this unique ecosystem. A collaboration of more than 50 authors from 25 nations, this fully illustrated Atlas contains the first global and regional maps of seagrass distribution and a wealth of information on key issues facing this 'forgotten' ecosystem.

ISBN 0-520-24047-2, 2003
300 x 220mm, xii + 298pp., tables, maps, colour photos
£39.95
Order no. B2052
Published in association with UNEP-WCMC by the University of California
Also available from the University of California Press