Biodiversity Observation Network in the Asia-Pacific Region

Biological diversity is important for ecosystem function and services, which in turn isessential for human well-being.Under the Convention on Biological Diversity, international efforts have been madeto achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss. The loss continues, however. TheAsia-Pacific region includes both developing countries with high biodiversity and developed countries with sophisticated data collection and analyses, but only limited information about the status quo of biodiversity in this region has been available.ManyAsia-Pacificcountrieshave rapidly grown their economies and social infrastructures, causinga loss of biodiversity and requiringan urgent mandate to achieve a balance between development and conservation in the region.In December 2009, scientistssuccessfully organizedthe Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network in the region,to establish a network forresearch and monitoring of ecosystems and biodiversity and tobuilda cooperative framework. The present volume is the first collection of information on biodiversity in the Asia-Pacific and represents a quantum step forward in science that optimizes the synergy between development and biodiversity conservation.