Uruguay - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Natural grasslands cover more than 70% of Uruguay and constitute a significant portion of one of the last extensive temperate grassland ecoregions in South America . Different types of native woodlands cover over 700,000ha. Lakes and lagoons occupy approximately 3,500km2, and a further 4,000km2 by permanent and temporary wetlands... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

26 areas have been afforded certain legal protection status, and have very heterogeneous characteristics and objectives. They cover about 300,000ha, approximately 1.7% of Uruguay’s total national territory. These areas do not include a complete representative sample of the country’s biodiversity, thus many elements of significant value (mainly grasslands and marine ecosystems) lie outside protected areas... More »

Percentage of Forest Cover

Native woodlands cover over 700,000ha, equivalent to 4% of the territory (Nebel, 2004). These forests are protected by the Forestry Law (1987).

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) provides a general framework for the conservation and sustainable use of Uruguay’s biodiversity. It includes an assessment of current status and problems regarding: in situ and ex situ conservation; impact assessment; research and training; exchange of information; access to genetic resources; public education and awareness; integration of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into development programs/plans/policies; and incentive measures... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The abovementioned laws and actions advanced by Uruguay also contribute to achieving the 2010 target. The Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment is working through multisectoral and participative forums like the National Technical Advisory Commission on Environmental Issues (COTAMA) and the National Advisory Commission on Protected Areas (CNA), both created by Law, to encourage public and private sector to undertake actions for the 2010 target of the CBD... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Uruguay approved the Law 17.234, which works to harmonize planning and management criteria for protected areas and categories, to provide a coordinated approach for their management and to develop mechanisms that support their sustainability, as well as the Decree 52/005, which established a National System of Protected Areas (NPAS), and is working to incorporate new protected areas to the system (terrestrial and marine)... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

Uruguay, in the multisectorial context of the National Genetic Resources Committee, is drafting a bill regarding genetic resources, to be submitted to Congress in 2007, including Access and Benefit Sharing in accordance with Article 15 of the CBD.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Several legal instruments in Uruguay, like the National Protected Areas System Law and the General Law of the Environment, include objectives, articles and specific tools that contribute to the attainment of the objective of Article 8j of the CBD, but further work will be necessary through new legislation such as the draft bill on Genetic Resources mentioned above... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores	CBD Primary NFP
Lic. Victor Cantón	CBD Secondary NFP
Dr. Ana Aber	CHM NFP, GTI NFP
Lic. Mario Batalles	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Consejera Pauline Davies	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Ing. Agr. Elisa Dalgalarrondo	BCH NFP