Microorganisms, australia and the convention on biological diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity arose as an international agreement for the conservation and continued exploitation of Earth's biological diver sity (biodiversity). It directly affects those involved in conservation, ex ploitation and investigation of biodiversity in all its forms, as well as a ffecting the viability of all life. Australia is one of more than 170 count ries that have ratified the Convention. Its involvement in this Convention will be considered in terms of the National Strategy for the Conservation o f Biological Diversity with a focus on the coverage of microorganisms withi n this strategy. Microorganisms represent a major part of the biodiversity on Earth but, as yet, remain relatively unknown. Among those microorganisms that have been described, many, originating from a range of countries, hav e been deposited in culture collections worldwide. The Convention contains articles that impact on ex situ collections, although precise protocols are not set out therein. An international code of conduct is now being formula ted to ensure ongoing access to and exchange of microorganisms in the inter ests of sustainable development in industrialised and developing nations.