The concept of biological diversity is defined in article 2 of the convention as:

"the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems."

This, indeed broad, definition is very much in line with the scope of the convention, which is itself wide. At the same time, the definition is reasonably close to what is normally understood by "biological diversity" in scientific discussions. However, in order to be useful it is often necessary to narrow the definition in specific cases. Proposal for terms and definitions (pdf-format, 395 kB), is a very useful document for those who want to study scientific definitions of biological diversity and related concepts more closely. The document is one of the outcomes of the EU project BEAR .

One important issue is whether or not to include also the the non-living part of ecosystems, which is important as it sets the conditions for biological diversity. The definition in CBD and especially the concluding words "...and of ecosystems" suggests that also non-biological aspects could be included in the concept of biodiversity.

Further insight into the complexity of the biodiversity concept is given in the report Understanding Biodiversity (pdf-format, 425 kB) commissioned by the EU in its preparation of the fifth framework programme on research.

If you want to study these matters more closely you might benefit from the service Biodiversity Search.

The Parties to the convention has agreed to apply an ecosystem perspective to their work within the convention. This ecosystem approach is understood to imply that biological diversity is studied in the framework of the landscape as a whole, including economical and sociological factors. This view stems from the realization that nature cannot be efficiently conserved if surrounding phenomena that may have substantial positive or negative impacts are neglected. At the same time, the ecosystem approach allows all three objectives of the convention to be addressed simultaneously.

It should be noted that the ecosystem approach does not preclude activities directed towards the conservation of biological diversity at species or genetic level. Rather, it is intended to ensure that work at all levels is carried out bearing in mind the complete picture.

Several important aspects of the ecosystem approach are being implemented in Sweden, but the guidance developed under the convention is not often applied, and there is no systematic follow-up. The government bill on Sweden´s environmental quality objectives from 2005 contains new activities that strengthen the implementation of the ecosystem approach at national and sub-national level. For example, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has an assignment during 2006-07 to provide guidance to national actors, and seven county administrative boards are producing so called landscape strategies that may realise the principles of stakeholder involvement and the landscape perspective.

The convention gives each country control over the access to the genetic resources that is found within its borders. Access to genetic resources shall be granted on the basis of prior informed consent and on mutually agreed terms between the user and the country of origin, and the benefits that arises from the use of genetic resources shall be shared fairly and equitably with the country of origin.

Genetic resources and associated knowledge of their use are of great importance for research, agriculture and the medical industry. The potential value of genetic resources have increased with recent biotechnological progress.

The private sector, mainly in USA , Japan and the EU, own and control a large proportion of the utilised genetic material through intellectual property laws and agreements. Many companies also invest large sums of money into bioprospecting activities, with the aim to collect and find new uses for genetic resources.

Global biological diversity have earlier been used freely by researchers and companies. Bioprospectors were until the signing of the convention not obliged to compensate the countries from where genetic material had been collected. Many industrialized countries have gained large economic profits from the use of refined material that was initially collected from developing countries, which harbour most of the genetic material of interest to the biotechnological industry.

The use of genetic resources have in the recent decades become restricted by an increasing number of patents on biological resources, and by the establishment of national access restrictions. This complicates the development of new important products, and it also reduces the general interest in bioprospecting.

Access regulations are motivated by the convention on biological diversity, but the restrictions must not run counter to the objectives of the convention. Within the context of the convention, negotitations are currently taking place, aiming towards an international regime for access and benefit sharing. It is thought that a clear-cut international regulatory regime would facilitate fair and sustainable use of genetic resources. It would also provide an incentive for conserving biological diversity that may prove to contain valuable genetic resources in the future.