Important Bird Areas (IBAs) form a worldwide network of sites for the conservation of birds. When complete, this global network is likely to comprise around 15,000 IBAs covering some 10 million km2 (c.7% of the world’s land surface) identified on the basis of about 40% of the world’s bird species. The effective conservation of these sites will contribute substantially to the protection of the world’s biological diversity.
IBAs are:
- critical sites for the conservation of birds and biodiversity
- places of international importance
- practical targets for conservation action
- selected according to internationally recognised criteria
- used to reinforce existing protected area networks
- used as part of a wider approach to conservation
Data collection and analysis play a highly influential role in underpinning the conservation and management of IBAs. Useful for conservationists, ornithologists, governmental and non-governmental agencies, policy-makers, researchers, consultants and planners, the data managed in the World Bird Database (WBDB) are intended to inform and guide practical management and actions at IBAs and to target political and legal mechanisms to achieve the adequate protection of IBAs.
Contributions have been made by a vast network of ornithologists, birdwatchers and conservation experts around the world. Many thousands of individuals have been involved in the collation of data. In most countries the relevant BirdLife International Partner has co-ordinated the work nationally, and this has generally involved substantial collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organisations.
As of March 2006 over 10,600 IBAs have been identified, mapped and documented in 234 countries (or territories/autonomous regions) and at sea by BirdLife. There are 115 National or sub National IBA Inventories and Five (six if you count Pacific CD) regional directories (Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Americas) published. A CD for (most of the) the Pacific has just been produced. Antarctic and marine directories are still in production. Most of these IBAs are available through NHBS, BirdLife’s global distribution partner – this catalogue is a summary of IBAs, key ornithological conservation books, and background reading on habitat and species protection.
We have put together a global guide to IBAs, featuring all the books – many published by BirdLife International – and field equipment necessary for those interested in, or working in, bird conservation.
