Politics key influencing factor in biodiversity: Atlas

Brussels/ Halle/Saale, 10 June (ANI): Political decisions are the key influencing factors that affect the survival of biodiversity, finds the first ever biodiversity atlas launched here on Sunday.

The 280-page atlas, which combines the key results of the major European research project ALARM and has been contributed by as many as 366 authors, also concludes that the main risks on biodiversity are caused by global climate and land use change and environmental pollution.

It suggests that the political framework and policy arrangements should focus increasingly on reducing the pressure on biodiversity while integrating recommendations made by scientists and academics.

"In all these efforts, it must remain clear that no single policy measure will rescue biodiversity - there is no silver bullet. Instead, a systematic review of all policy fields is necessary to incorporate biodiversity," says Dr. Josef Settele of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), who heads the atlas publication team.

The findings of the book are basically based on three different scenarios; the growth applied strategy (GRAS), Business-As-Might-Be-Usual scenario (BAMBU) and Sustainable European Development Goal (SEDG).

The atlas, which is a first of its kind document, has been developed for a wide range of readers, including academics, conservationists, policy-makers, lecturers and teachers etc.

The atlas also holds importance under the light of the fact that the United Nations has declared 2010 as the 'International Year of Biodiversity'. (ANI)