Old world fruit bats: an action plan for their conservation

Abstract

IUCN Species Survival Commission: A Global Network for Species SurvivalHabitats and their living natural resources are under increasing pressure everywhere from humankind.Species, the basic biotic units, are consequently increasingly threatened with extinction.To protect and conserve biodiversity from species level to ecosystem requires management based on understanding of not just biological sciences, but also of local cultures, environmental economics, and governmental structures and dynamics.Among international responses to deal with this complexity is the Species Survival Commission (SSC), a commission of IUCN -The World Conservation Union.Founded in 1949, the SSC network has 4,700 volunteer member scientists, field researchers, governmental officials, and conservation leaders in 155 countries.They provide technical and scientific counsel for biodiversity conservation projects throughout the world, serving as resources to governments, international conventions, and conservation organizations.SSC works principally through its 100 Specialist Groups, most of which represent particular plant or animal groups.SSC Specialist Groups focus on species either threatened with extinction or of special importance to human welfare.A few groups are disciplinary -veterinary medicine, captive breeding, reintroductions, international trade, and wildlife utilization.Each taxonomic group is charged to assess the conservation status of the chosen species and their habitats, to develop an Action Plan that specifies conservation priorities, and finally to promote the implementation of the required activities outlined in the Plan.Developing an Action Plan may take many months; full implementation of an action agenda may span decades.Action Plans have been completed by 19 Specialist Groups.The SSC is the largest of the six IUCN commissions.Founded in 1948, IUCN enrolls sovereign states, governmental agencies, research institutions and non-governmental organizations to conserve the world's natural heritage.Besides developing general conservation policy, such as Caring for the Earth, and The World Conservation Strategy, IUCN manages conservation projects worldwide, including projects on tropical forests, wetlands, marine ecosystems, the Sahel, and sustainable development.For more information on the Species Survival Commission and IUCN -The World Conservation Union, contact IUCN, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland.