Overview
This lecture covers the types of bioresources, their categorization, their connection to trade and business, key international frameworks, and conservation mechanisms, especially under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Nature and Types of Bioresources
- Bioresources include genetic resources, organisms, populations, or biotic ecosystem components with actual or potential value for humanity (CBD Article 2).
- Bioresources are categorized as primary (directly cultivated), secondary (derived from primary, e.g. for industry), tertiary (byproducts from secondary), and quaternary (waste materials, sometimes with future value).
- Example: In paper industry—wood is primary, bark is secondary, unused paper is tertiary, waste paper is quaternary bioresource.
Sustainable Use and Property Rights
- Sustainable use means using biodiversity components without causing its loss, preserving value for present and future generations.
- Increasing appropriation of bioresources leads from public good (open access) toward private rights and raises valuation and benefit sharing concerns.
- Bioresource-based industries include bioenergy, fibers, biopolymers, herbal/traditional medicines, and marine resources.
Bioresources, Trade, and Biotrade Principles
- Biotrade involves the sustainable collection, production, and commercialization of biodiversity-based goods/services.
- UNCTAD’s Biotrade initiative supports CBD, focusing on conservation, sustainable use, equitable benefits, socio-economic sustainability, legal compliance, respect for rights, and natural resource access.
- Approaches: value chain (coordination among actors), adaptive management (continuous monitoring), ecosystem approach (holistic social-ecological integration), sustainable livelihoods.
Business, Markets, and Challenges
- Businesses are major bioresource users and play a role in biodiversity conservation and addressing overexploitation.
- Challenges include overexploitation, undervaluation, biopiracy, imperfect markets, limited direct benefits to communities, and lack of community involvement.
- Knowledge-sharing platforms and global/regional partnerships encourage better business engagement and benefit sharing.
Conservation of Biodiversity: Mechanisms and International Mandates
- Conservation is essential as bioresource use increases; objectives are set out in the CBD (Articles 6–9).
- In situ conservation: preserves species in their natural habitats (protected areas, reserves, home gardens).
- Ex situ conservation: conserves species outside natural habitats (seed banks, tissue banks, repositories).
- Conservation requires integrated efforts among science, policy, law, international organizations (IUCN, CBD, UNESCO, UNEP).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Bioresources — Genetic resources, organisms, or biotic ecosystem parts of actual or potential value (CBD).
- Primary Bioresources — Direct products from nature or cultivation (e.g., crops).
- Secondary Bioresources — Derivatives from primary, used in industry or consumption.
- Tertiary Bioresources — Byproducts from processing secondary bioresources.
- Quaternary Bioresources — Waste materials with potential future value.
- Sustainable Use — Use that does not lead to biodiversity loss and maintains future potential.
- Biotrade — Sustainable commercial activity involving biodiversity-based products and services.
- In situ Conservation — Preservation of biodiversity in natural habitats.
- Ex situ Conservation — Off-site conservation of biodiversity.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review CBD Articles 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9 for detailed legal frameworks.
- Study the principles and case examples of Biotrade initiatives.
- Examine in situ and ex situ conservation methods in more depth.
- Check assigned references for further reading on conservation strategies.