International Day of Biological Diversity Focuses on Islands
This
year, Islands are the focus of the International Year of Biological
Diversity (22 May 2014). Islands and their surrounding near-shore
marine areas constitute unique ecosystems often comprising many plant
and animal species that are endemic—found nowhere else on Earth. The
legacy of a unique evolutionary history these ecosystems are
irreplaceable treasures. They are also key to the livelihood, economy,
well-being and cultural identity of 600 million islanders—one-tenth of
the world’s population. 
