Creating Biodiversity Credits

Given the complexity of expression possible under the term ‘biodiversity’; It is best to begin with the globally accepted definition stated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in Article 2. ‘Use of Terms’:

“Bio(logical)diversity" means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

In other words, it is genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. The recognition of its importance is reflected by The Convention on Biological Diversity?(CBD) ratified by 196 nations, with three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity; and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

This has given rise to financial process termed ‘Biodiversity Credits’ defined as ‘a certificate that represents a measured and evidence-based unit of positive biodiversity outcome that is durable and additional to what would have otherwise occurred’. ?(Biodiversity Credit Alliance 2024). They suggest four outcomes to be evaluated by.

(1)?????????? A “biodiversity outcome” is measured as the difference between the scenario with project activities and without project activities, and because it is measured, it implies that the credit represents an outcome that has already been demonstrated.

(2)?????????? ?Measured and evidence-based: Where credit methodologies will always include a measure of geographic area.

(3)?????????? ?Durability means the ability of a project to ensure that biodiversity outcomes on which credits are based are likely to endure for an extended period.

(4)?????????? Additionality Biodiversity credits that should only be awarded to project interventions where biodiversity outcomes are additional to those that otherwise would occur without the project.

In creating such Biodiversity Credits, certain boundary conditions are important. Is there an optimal measure of biodiversity which frame the project goals? ?As the optimal biodiversity measure for natural systems may vary from the optimal measure for anthropogenic systems, two fundamental units of measure must be considered, one for natural biodiversity and the other for hybrid or anthropogenic biodiversity, this reality must be addressed in setting value for biodiversity in any area.

This need to clearly identify the management goals is important because Article 8(h) requires states to:?

?‘Prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species; provides another challenge to the establishment of biodiversity credits

This has instituted a ?global concern over Alien (or exotic) Invasive Species (AIS) that has reached a high degree of importance in policy making, due greatly to the adoption and passing into force the Convention on Biological Diversity and? implementation of Article 8(h) which specifically calls upon parties to “prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species” (CBD 1993) In an effort to address the limitations of the CBD, specifically Article 8(h), the CBD’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) created “Guiding Principles for the Prevention, Introduction and Mitigation of Impacts of Alien Species that Threaten Ecosystems, Habitats or Species” (UNEP 2001). These principles were created so that the parties to the CBD would have guidelines to follow in implementing Article 8(h), but these principles do not address the fundamental differences between the identity of the ecosystem in question depending on management goals. Both article 8 (h) and the guiding principles do not differentiate between natural ecosystems and anthropogenic ecosystems. It assumes that all ecosystems should be managed as natural ecosystems. If the measure of biodiversity used to set policy, is based on indigenous species, all measurements of agricultural and human modified systems will yield low values.? However, when traditional agricultural systems are measured in terms of all organisms, these ecosystems often demonstrate some of the highest biodiversity values (Wilkes 1991). Often the organisms that contribute to this gain may be exotic in origin, because in most anthropogenic ecosystems many indigenous species have been lost, but other exotic species have taken their place. For instance, in the traditional lowland forest gardens of Sri Lanka, over 70% of the 43 species of trees recorded were exotic, but critical for sustaining a high level of biodiversity.? In many other anthropogenic ecosystems indigenous and exotic species often demonstrate a consistent, co-adapted pattern. The observation that biodiversity values in some anthropogenic ecosystems are higher than in neighboring natural ecosystems will need to be considered when mapping biodiversity for policy implementation.

?This suggests two vital aspects of biodiversity, ecosystems and genes, have been ignored in global discussions on implementing the above paragraph. ?The convention defines biodiversity as species and ecosystems, but only address species in 8 (h). However, the other two aspects of biodiversity, genes and ecosystems are not addressed. This ignores the detrimental effect of industrial monocultures such as Teak, Sugar Cane, Rubber, Oil Palm, Tea etc. on biodiversity. They should be considered ‘Exotic (Alien)Ecosystems’. The other concern is that It also does not address the concept of ‘Exotic (Alien) Genes’ as invasive aliens that destroy biodiversity either.

Organisms are ‘modified’ by inserting a piece of exotic DNA into the genes of an individual within the existing gene pool. If that alien gene escapes into that particular gene pool, could it become invasive? The possible impact of Invasive Alien Genes (IAG) must be addressed in terms of their effect on the native gene-pool of any species.

Therefore, the evaluation of measures required to generate biodiversity credits must consider:

1.The management goals, as conservation or production.

Will exotic species be counted or not?

?2.The ecosystem state, as dynamic or homeostatic.

At what seral stage is the ecosystem being managed?

3. The ecosystem scale, as micro or macro.

At what scale is the ecosystem being measured, does the measure consider the diversity of microorganisms or macroorganisms?

?Such a framework will facilitate the generation of a valid baseline that can be monitored and reported on, to verify the claims of biodiversity conservation or gain and provide a basis for the creation of Biodiversity Credits.

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