“Diversity is an important prerequisite for ensuring development that is environmentally, socially, culturally and economically resilient and sustainable. Biological and cultural diversity contribute to resilience in socio-ecological systems and are always rooted in a specific culture and environment. A clear conceptual framework for assessing the links between biological and cultural diversity needs to be developed to guide future research, policy and action in this area.”

These are some of the findings in the report of the international workshop focusing on concepts, methods and experiences related to the linkages between biological and cultural diversity, organised by UNESCO in collaboration with the Christensen Fund.

The report emphasises that as there are different levels of biodiversity – genes, species, ecosystems and landscapes, etc. There are also different levels of cultural diversity, including linguistic diversity; namely intercultural diversity in the sense of differences between two (or more) cultures, and intracultural diversity referring to the differences between subcultures, or cultures of diff erent sectors of a society (e.g. men/women, different social classes) within a culture.

As demonstrated in the case study from South Africa (page 13 of the Report), there are also many examples of cultural use of biological diversity by people whose lifestyles have been affected and transformed by modernization and who currently live in non-traditional conditions in rural, urban and peri-urban areas. This implies that the research and action on the links between biological and cultural diversity must expand in focus to include indigenous people and other local communities.

A preliminary set of guidelines would contribute to the dialogue between communities, scientists and decision makers, so that the links between biological and cultural diversity are to be taken into account in research, policy and action from local to global levels. Development of a common methodological framework is a particularly challenging objective that requires further reflection and involvement of all relevant actors. As the report concludes, such a framework should be designed to:
• Monitor status, trends and drivers of change in diversity
• Inform decision-making process on the impact of such change on environmental and human well-being
• Develop a common vocabulary and address the translation of concepts and terminologies for theoretical and on-the-ground study of the links between biodiversity and cultural diversity

Here are several priority areas suggested for future research on the links between biological and cultural diversity:
• Contemporary processes that reduce, modify and/or produce diversity through
homogenization, hybridity and diversification processes
• Impact of demographic shifts and population dynamics on diversity
• Development of a value-based system on which to valorize diversity
• Dynamics of knowledge, including its reproduction, transmission, loss and rediscovery
• Process of emergence and recognition of the concept of diversity in policy agendas.