"A PRESENTATION is to be made to Tynwald [bicameral legislature of the Isle of Man] members next week making the case for the signing of a convention on biological diversity.
Some 191 countries have signed up to an international treaty on biodiversity which sets a target to achieve a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 but the Isle of Man is yet to join. To sign up to the convention would mean a commitment to conserve bio-diversity and protect species and their habitats... as well as to educate the population about the importance of biodiversity. Part of the requirement of signatories is to keep an up-to-date, comprehensive biological information in a records system which is available to inform government policy and is accessible to... the public. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has undertaken an evaluation of Manx wild orchids, as an indicator of the current state of Manx biodiversity. The study revealed that there were 15 different orchid species in the Island in the Manx flora, in 1984, with seven listed as being rare. Some orchid species are widespread but, because of development, two of the Island's important orchid sites have been lost. Although flowers were moved, there was a sharp decline in orchid population at both sites. The Manx Wildlife Trust, however, has been successful in creating and managing an orchid meadow at Close Sartfield, Ballaugh, where thousands of orchids flower annually. This research suggests that biodiversity is not safe... even for species such as orchids which have legal protection. Tynwald members, who will wacth the presentation by the DAFF on July 14, will hear that if the Island were to sign up to the Convention on Biological Diversity, a greater priority will be given to wildlife conservation." URL : http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Tynwald-to-consider-signing-biodiversity.4266599.jp ***************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
