Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation: Recognizing the Role of Biodiversity for Human Well-being

Abstract

Biodiversity conservation an sustainable use with equitable sharing of benefits derived from its natural services are the basis of human well-being. Vital signs for biodiversity are plummeting and the related ecosystem services seriously undermined. Biodiversity benefits are being threatened by development choices that ignore the full value of these natural services to us all and particularly the poorest. Reversing this negative trend is not only possible, but essential to human well-being.