CBD programmes and issues: Inland Waters Biodiversity

"…Inland water ecosystems are often extensively modified by man, more so than marine or terrestrial systems, and are amongst the most threatened ecosystem types of all. Physical alteration, habitat loss and degradation, water withdrawal, overexploitation, pollution and the introduction of Invasive Alien Species are main threats to these ecosystems and their associated biological resources…."

The Convention's inland waters programme promotes the ecosystem approach, including integrated watershed management, as the best way to reconcile competing demands for declining supplies of inland waters.

Bearing the importance of fresh waters ecosystems in mind, the Young Researchers of Serbia have placed this year's Earth Day celebration in April in a beautiful village Kupinovo of Srem, bordering the Ramsar site and Important Bird area, the wetland Obedska bara. The village Kupinovo has unique architecture and protected cultural and historical monuments.

The idea of the gathering is to promote the exceptional natural, cultural and historical values of the area of Obedska Bara and lower Srem to the general public. More importantly, the aim of the celebration is to raise awareness of the inhabitants of the areas bordering reserve and local authorities on the importance of wetlands and biodiversity, the possibilities and ways of their protection and sustainable development and how the local population can benefit from this.

These aims are also in accord with the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines, principle 12: The needs of local communities who live with and are affected by the use and conservation of biological diversity, along with their contributions to its conservation and sustainable use, should be reflected in the equitable distribution of the benefits from the use of those resources.