Regional meeting of the Mediterranean Basin Ecosystem Profile (CEPF)

The Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot is one of the most remarkable regions of the planet for its great biological diversity and its spectacular landscapes. It is the third richest hotspot in the world in terms of its plant diversity (Mittermeier et al. 2004). Approximately 30,000 plant species occur, and more than 13,000 species are found nowhere else, or endemic, to the hotspot; yet, many more are being discovered every year (Plantlife International 2010, unpublished report).

This status as a hotspot, as well as the unique biological, economic and cultural importance of the Mediterranean Basin, led CEPF to create a conservation strategy for the entire region, known as the Mediterranean Basin Ecosystem Profile.

As part of its strategy which focuses on enabling civil society participation in biodiversity conservation, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), in collaboration with AGIR and BirdLife, with the support of MAVA and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, is organizing a regional meeting on updating of the Ecosystem Profile for the Mediterranean Basin and evaluating the first phase of CEPF investment, on 25th and 26th November in Tangiers, Morocco.

The objective of this meeting is to discuss the process of investment priorities and to update the Mediterranean Ecosystem Profile for a new phase of CEPF investment in the Mediterranean.

Photo: Draft KBA Inventory (including IPA) for consultation in the update of CEPF Ecosystem Profile

The Ecosystem Profile is an extensive document describing the conservation status of the region, covering socio-economic issues, threats to biodiversity and all the existing data on flora and fauna.

The consultation on the Ecosystem Profile update has been made throughout the region. All stakeholders in the Mediterranean were invited to participate in the updating of the Ecosystem Profile for the region.