Conservation of biodiversity and research needs in the UK Dependent Territories.

Published online
16 Jan 1998
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI
10.2307/2405225

Author(s)
Oldfield, S. & Sheppard, C.

Publication language
English
Location
Ascension Island & British Indian Ocean Territory & UK & Falkland Islands & Pitcairn Islands & Africa South of Sahara & Turks and Caicos Islands & Aldabra & Anguilla Island & Bermuda & British Virgin Islands & Cayman Islands & Gibraltar & Montserrat & Saint Helena & South Sandwich Islands & Tristan Da Cunha

Abstract

The distant Dependent Territories of the UK (13 are covered in this review - Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ascension Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Pitcairn Islands, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha - the British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are excluded) are known to be rich in biodiversity but baseline biological and ecological information for most of the Dependencies remains incomplete. Lack of species and ecosystem inventory data currently hinders development of biodiversity conservation strategies which are needed at a time of intense development pressures. Increased support for the implementation of international conservation agreements provides one important mechanism both to develop the biodiversity information base and the conservation policy appropriate for local needs. Voluntary organizations both in the UK and in the Dependencies, coordinated by the UK Dependent Territories Conservation Forum, are providing much of the driving force for biodiversity research and conservation action but are limited in their capacity to undertake research. There is a need for further collaborative research in many subject areas, including those indicated above, and for researchers to ensure that their studies are planned to include local consultation and to ensure that their results are made available to local interests.

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