CONTRIBUTIONS (review of first three issues):
The first issue of Biodiversity was published in January 2000, the second in May, and the third in August. The final issue in the first volume will be published in November and is well under way. To the present time, Biodiversity has contributed information in the following areas: agricultural practices in relation to the integrity of biodiversity and environment; efforts in conservation of forest ecosystems, and understanding of selected life forms regarding their life history, state of being, and their functions, usefulness as food or medicinal sources (Coffee, Pineapple, Seahorses, Spiders, Whale Shark, Hamilton's Frog...):

1. January 2000 - Biodiversity 1(1): In developing and developed countries, small-scale farmers and peasants have fed much of the world for numberless centuries. They have used traditional varieties which undergo continuing selection and are adapted to the type of land and local climate, soils, drought cycles, etc. The diversity of these varieties helps protect them against diseases and pests. They are free to replant their own seeds and exchange them with their neighbours without charge. This system is sustainable - or they would not be there. They used local organic fertilizers and biological approaches to pest control. So the off-site impact of this kind of farming on human and wildlife health was minimal. This is not to paint a picture of a dream-like perfection. There were problems, but these could often be met by due attention of working together with their neighbours and their governments and their agencies.

These farmers are now being squeezed off the land by powerful economic forces in favour of industrial style farming. Crops are now patented or consist of hybrid varieties so that the resultant seeds cannot be replanted. The varieties have costly fertilizer inputs beyond the reach of most small farmers. Pesticides either have to be sprayed on them (and they may be genetically adapted to a single pesticide brand) or are built into them. The varieties are used over large areas of landscapes. This means that this paradigm is not sustainable in the long run, is harmful to human and wildlife health, is costly, and is not affordable by the small-scale farmer. Moreover, the seeds and pesticides are the purview of transnational corporations, meaning profit is siphoned out of the country.

The first issue of Biodiversity devoted itself to discussing these issues and offering alternatives as well as featuring both an article on the threats of genetic engineering to biodiversity and a contrasting opinion piece favouring genetic engineering. It also provided the example of how one woman farmer in Mexico, and her friends, cultivated diverse crops to feed their families.

2. May 2000 - Biodiversity 1(2): The second issue discussed the diversity of spiders and their utility as biocontrol agents. Exploration of this diverse group was undertaken to counterbalance the usual negative image that spiders have and to show their ecological roles in natural environments and agroscapes.

Parks are sometimes seen by development agencies and some policy makers in developing countries as extras which benefit only visitors from the First World. The article on Non-Damaging Biodevelopment in Costa Rica shows how such protected areas can be managed for the benefit of and with the participation of local people, as well as others, and discusses some of the financial and other difficulties tha t may be encountered. It also showed how administration can be made more effective by combining government agencies involved in protection under one agency.

A portion of the people around the world live too distant from the power grid to be able to tap into it. An example from rural Ontario shows how it is possible to draw upon the benefits of electricity without being connected to the grid.

The article on Seahorses describes the importance of taxonomic knowledge to the management and conservation of these peculiar and endangered fishes.

3. August 2000 - Biodiversity 1(3): The third issue told about the achievement of social forestry in India. This is one of series of articles which will, we hope, reverse the dominantly one-way stream of information from developed to developing countries as well as facilitate lines of communication between developing countries.

An article on Mexican tropical dry forests shows this type of forest is much less extensive and less varied biologically than rain forest but with a rich flora which provides firewood, food, medicines and other valuable products. Tropical dry forest is being rapidly reduced in Mexico and elsewhere. Conservation effort in Mexico shows that, with careful management, much of the origin a l vegetation, including 28 food-producing trees, shrubs and vines can be restored using only organic farming methods. This approach of farming shows a five fold increment of income as compared with corn cultivation alone. A series of recommendations to further these methods are given. They are designed to help reduce the dependency on cash crops, raise living standards, restore in part the original forests, reduce erosion, and preserve much of the original flora from which new food crops and medicines ma y be derived.

A review of a critically endangered life form, Hamilton's Frog, (Leiopelma hamiltoni), shows an interesting aspect of life of a primitive Frog, a Frog which has a short tail and no web between their toes. Frogs of the genus Leiopelma resemble those found in the Jurassic era. Approximately only 200 frogs remain distributed in a small area in New Zealand. Habitat destruction is probably responsible for the restricted distribution of this Frog.

An article on the Whale Shark, the largest living fish is presented; shows this Shark species is rare but is worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. Details are given of 20 sightings in 50 years in Venezuelan waters. Records may be correlated with increased marine productivity.   Copyright 2000. All Rights Reserved