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Tunisia - Overview

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Main References

National Website

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Tunisian ecosystems include forests, humid zones, littoral zones and steppes. Tunisia hosts 3,573 plant species and 2,244 animal species. There are a total of 362 bird, 63 reptile and 78 mammal species. The avifauna of Tunisia is spread throughout the territory and is considered one of the main indicators of biological richness and ecosystem health... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Tunisia has established 24 protected areas. The country also established one Ramsar site and four Biosphere Reserves. The protected areas account for 2.5% of the total land area of the country.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The percentage of forest cover in Tunisia is about 12.6 %.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Tunisia’s National Biodiversity Strategy was completed and adopted in 1998. The general strategic goal of the Tunisian NBSAP is the conservation of its biological diversity. Under this goal a number of objectives have been identified, including the preservation of areas, ecosystems and elements of biological diversity not impacted by human activities; the restoration and rehabilitation of areas, ecosystems and elements of biological diversity being degraded; sustainable use of biodiversity, biological and genetic resources with economic gains; and restoration of equilibrium in the components of biological diversity... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Tunisia, for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, has established a National Strategy and Action plan, which defines long and short-term goals, at all levels, for the conservation of biodiversity. Several programmes for improving the management of protected areas have been elaborated. These programmes also take into account the conservation of flora and fauna... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Tunisia has planned several short, medium and long-term actions that will aid in guaranteeing and effective conservation, in particular for wild species and their habitats. Efforts have been developed for: the establishment of studies to identify new criteria for the identification of potential protected areas; creation of new marine and terrestrial protected areas; implementation of legislation to improve and reinforce the management of existing protected areas; and the extension of existing protected areas... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

Access to genetic resources is limited to those activities included in some bilateral and multilateral research and development projects in accordance with mutually agreed terms. Tunisia is adhering to the FAO International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources, which helps establish an international system for conservation and sustainable use of phytogenetic resources... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Among the objectives of the research carried out was the evaluation of local genetic resources and the capabilities they possess. The programs established aim to: reinforce capacities to allow for small scale agriculture, not adapted to modern intensive practices; keep in place viable production systems based on local cultivars and valuate them; involve local communities in the decision-making process dealing with restrictive genetic technology... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mr. Nabil Hamada
CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, GSPC NFP
M. Mosbah Abaza
CBD Secondary NFP
Dr. Habib Ben Moussa
GSPC NFP
Mme. Naima Barbouche
GTI NFP
M. Abdelhakim Aissaoui
ICNP ABS NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mlle Hazar Belli
BCH NFP
M. Abdelhakim Aissaoui
Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP

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  • United Nations Environment Programme