Diversitas

DIVERSITAS is an international program that aims at the exploration of biodiversity to intertwine (biodiversity) and human well-being.

The International Secretariat is located in Paris. It is hosted by the French National Museum of Natural History - Muséum National d' Histoire Naturelle ( MNHN ), while the offices of the core projects are located in different countries.

DIVERSITAS Mission

Biological diversity (biodiversity) is the foundation of the life support system of our planet. Both natural and is shared with the human ecosystems provide important ecosystem services, such as food and fiber production, carbon storage, climate regulation and recreation.

DIVERSITAS ( Latin for " diversity" ) was established to address the complex scientific questions posed by the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and science-based solutions to demonstrate to this crisis.

DIVERSITAS is an international program with a two-fold mission:

  • Promote, support and implementation of integrative biodiversity research, biological, environmental, and social science disciplines connects
  • Providing a sound scientific basis for (political ) decision making, which ensures the preservation of the diversity of life on Earth, and at the same time contribute to human well-being and poverty reduction.

The objectives will be achieved by:

  • Care of a holistic network of renowned biodiversity researchers that the main problems of biodiversity science is dedicated to;
  • Generating new knowledge through exchanges between scientists across nations and field boundaries;
  • Together the latest findings in biodiversity research to address global scientific priorities;
  • Warranty / ensure effective involvement of the worldwide scientific community with policy and decision makers, especially with the relevant international conventions.
  • Structure of biodiversity research expertise through the promotion of young scientists around the world.

Historical development of DIVERSITAS

Phase 1 (1991-2001): Biodiversity is more worldwide attention

DIVERSITAS was founded in 1991 by three international organizations: the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), SCOPE ( Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment) and IUBS (International Union of Biological Science). At this time, the need was seen to devote to complex scientific issues that have been raised because of the loss and alteration of global biodiversity. The aim of the initiative was to develop an international, non-governmental umbrella program for research projects.

In 1996, there were two new sponsors, ICSU ( International Council for Science ) and IUMS (International Union of Microbiological Societies ) are obtained.

The won in the first decade of main findings were summarized in a series of books. These formed the basis for further experimental and theoretical research, carried out in conjunction with the International Geosphere - Biosphere Programme (IGBP ). Also carried the research results to the Global Biodiversity Assessment in an initiative of the World Resources Institute ( WRI), and the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (Convention on Biological Diversity, Eng. Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD). With the CBD DIVERSITAS has signed an agreement to cooperate.

Phase 2 (2002-2011): An international framework for biodiversity science

2001 DIVERSITAS consulted all stakeholders worldwide whether the need to launch a second phase of the program. The results of the consultation spoke in favor of a second phase, which should be integrative, interdisciplinary and policy - relevant.

The new DIVERSITAS research plan was published in 2002. To implement these, nine projects have been launched, including a circle of discovery, observation, analysis and exchange of information in relation to cross- scientific issues on biodiversity and related ecosystem services:

  • Global Invasive Species Programme ( GISP ) - The goal of the project is the prevention of the spread and management of invasive species
  • Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment ( GMBA ) - The goal of the project is the research and increase knowledge of montane biodiversity
  • Biogenesis - The aim of the project is to develop a scientific evolutionary framework for biodiversity science
  • BioDiscovery - The aim of the project is the assessment, monitoring and forecasting changes in biodiversity
  • EcoServices - The aim of the project is the study of the relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services
  • BioSUSTAINABILITY - The aim of the project is the development of adaptive governance and Managementrichtlininen for the use of ecosystem services
  • Agrobiodiversity - The aim of the project is the creation of a scientific program for sustainable use of agro - ecosystems
  • EcoHEALTH - goal of the project is to explore the relationships between biodiversity and emerging infectious diseases
  • FreshwaterBIODIVERSITY - The aim of the project is the creation of a biodiversity research program for sustainable freshwater ecosystems

Besides the work in the research projects DIVERSITAS was an important partner in the Earth System Science Partnership ( ESSP ). The ESSP is a collaboration for the integrative study of the Earth system, the way how it is changing, and the implications of global and regional sustainability. DIVERSITAS also introduced in this second phase, the commitment to the service policy fora further, in particular with the Convention on Biological Diversity. In October 2005, DIVERSITAS hosted the first Open Science Conference in Oaxaca, Mexico. There, the scientific community reaffirmed its support for the creation of a scientific panel on biodiversity, which should include an intergovernmental component ( cf. International Mechanism of Scientific Expertise on Biodiversity ( IMoSEB ) ). The second Open Science Conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2009, attracted an international audience of 700 scientists and policy makers from over 70 countries, representing many facets of biodiversity science and policy.

Phase 3 (2012-2020): Biodiversity and ecosystem services for a sustainable planet

Since 2009, and in view of changes in biodiversity policy environment, DIVERSITAS is engaged in the supervision of activities and the revision of the research plan of 2002. Revised DIVERSITAS Science Plan was published in 2012. In this ongoing phase was DIVERSITAS and is heavily involved in the following activities:

  • The establishment of a global observing system for biodiversity, called GEO BON (Group on Earth Observations - Biodiversity Observation Network). GEO BON is the biodiversity component of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), under the leadership of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO),
  • Konsulation to the Intergovernmental Science - Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services ( IPBES ), which was established in April 2012 to life
  • The introduction of a new scientific initiative Future Earth: Research on Sustainability, which was launched during the Rio 20,
  • The conference " Planet Under Pressure " in 2012 in London, and
  • The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012 (United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ), also called Rio 20 conference.

DIVERSITAS Germany e.V.

The association is especially committed to connect the biodiversity research with socially relevant issues of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Its main objectives include the support of science and research and the training of young scientists. A joint initiative of the present association and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research out was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research NeFo, the network forum Biodiversity Research Germany.

National Museum of Natural History (France) Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
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