CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY AND RESEARCH NEEDS IN THE UK DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1. The 13 distant Dependent Territories of the UK are known to be rich in biodiversity but baseline biological and ecological information fo r most of the Dependencies remains incomplete. 2. Lack of species and ecosystem inventory data currently hinders development of biodiversity conservation strategies which are needed at a time of intense develop ment pressures. 3. Increased support for the implementation of interna tional conservation agreements provides one important mechanism both t o develop the biodiversity information base and the conservation polic y appropriate for local needs. 4. Voluntary organizations both in the UK and in the Dependencies, coordinated by the UK Dependent Territorie s Conservation Forum, are providing much of the driving force for biod iversity research and conservation action but are limited in their cap acity to undertake research. 5. There is a need for further collaborat ive research in many subject areas, including those indicated, and for researchers to ensure that their studies are planned to include local consultation and to ensure that their results are made available to l ocal interests.