Development and Vision of Island Biocultural Diversity Initiative

Abstract

Island and coastal areas worldwide have long been recognized as unique and fragile ecosystems, harboring an abundance of often endemic biodiversity. They are now increasingly recognized as unique and fragile biocultural systems, harboring a great diversity of human cultures that are highly adapted to the island/coastal ecosystems, through close interaction with the local environment for material and non-material sustenance: from food and shelter to connection with deities, ancestors, and other spiritual forces thought to reside in nature. This close interaction with and adaptation to the natural world, along with respect for the spiritual forces of nature, is reflected in the languages and traditional knowledge systems of island/coastal communities, and has allowed such communities to use natural resources wisely and live sustainably often for hundreds or even thousands of years. However, rapid change is severely affecting island/coastal biocultural systems. From climate change and sea level rise, to loss of fishing grounds and coral reefs, to marine pollution and rampant development, the biocultural diversity of island/coastal areas is increasingly at risk. Along with the loss of unique biodiversity and ecosystems, comes the loss of the uniquely adapted island/coastal cultures, and of the languages and traditional knowledge systems developed by island/coastal communities. The loss of island/coastal biocultural diversity is a major threat for the vitality of the whole web of life on Earth. In recent year, United Nations and other major international organizations, such as CBD, UNEP, UNESCO, IUCN, and others have begun to recognize the links between biodiversity and cultural diversity, and to embrace the idea that the conservation of biodiversity is interrelated and interdependent with the maintenance of cultural diversity. Because of the uniqueness and value of island/coastal biocultural system, it is now time to devote special attention to their predicament, and to take action to prevent further damage and to preserve and restore sustainable relationships between people and nature in island/coastal areas. This should be done by taking into account and drawing from the wealth of traditional environmental knowledge developed by island/coastal communities. This was the central goal of several activities carried out by a group of researchers, conservationists, and representatives of island/coastal communities at the 5th World Conservation Congress (Jeju, Korea, September 2012). The group submitted a resolution titled “Strengthening Biocultural Diversity and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Asia-Pacific Island Regions”, which was approved by the ICN Member Assembly (IUCN Resolution 5.115). Furthermore, the Island Biocultural Diversity Initiative was also launched at the WCC.