Side Event

Applying global species prioritisation approaches to support achievement of Aichi Targets, 1, 2, 12 and 13.

Organizer
Zoological Society of London

Date and Time
9 October 2014 18:15 - 19:45

Meeting
Twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

The current extinction crisis is forcing conservation planners to prioritise both species and areas in a time of limited resources, but without any certainty in the prioritisation process. Measures to prioritise species and sites are increasingly recognising the importance of considering phylogeny and evolutionary processes. This is because not all species are equal in terms of their contribution to biodiversity. The EDGE methodology is a unique approach that takes this into account and complements existing species prioritisation methods by enabling practitioners to rank priority species and sites in order to maximise genetic and ecological diversity. This side event will demonstrate how, by incorporating EDGE priority sites and species into national conservation planning, the Parties will be able to more effectively maintain phylogenetic diversity and hence make greater progress towards meeting the CBD’s Aichi Targets. Specifically it will demonstrate how Targets 1,2, 12 and 13 may be reached by highlighting how EDGE species have become national flagships thereby raising awareness and increasing conservation capacity at the national level.