While
the faunal and floral communities of Atlantic islands are partially
derived from adjacent continents, they have also developed independently
through isolation. Though isolated, these islands share migratory animals
and are linked by patterns of past floral and faunal dispersal. Threats
to fragile island ecosystems arising from socio-economic pressures are
many, creating problems for conservation and sustainable development.
The multi-disciplinary approaches of Atlantic island researchers to
different aspects of island ecosystem function and biodiversity, make
valuable contributions to the economic goal of sustainable use of their
unique biological resources.
Previous
symposia in the series on Atlantic Island Fauna and Flora have been
held in Macaronesia - Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Azores and most
recently in Cape Verde. The Symposium in Dublin in August 2004 will
be the first to be held outside Macaronesia. The concept of this 5th
Fauna and Flora of Atlantic Islands Symposium
(FFAIS-5) will encompass a wider range of islands extending from those
bordering Arctic waters to the islands of the Caribbean and should involve
all countries concerned about the varied aspects of island fauna and
flora. It will be a unique opportunity for researchers to share and
extend their understanding of island ecosystems and their common natural
heritage.
FFAIS-5
is open to participants with an interest in all islands whose shores
are bordered by Atlantic waters.
The
Symposium will also address aspects of EU legislative obligations specific
to Island ecosystems, such as the Water Framework Directive and the
Habitats Directive. FFAIS-5 has received endorsement from the EU Director
General, Environment, Dr Catherine Day, who in a letter of support states
"The European Commission's Directorate General for Environment is
very concerned about the continued loss of biodiversity within the EU
and world-wide and is happy to give its political support to an event
such as FFAIS-5" and has requested that "the papers presented,
together with ideas generated by discussion and any conclusions or resolutions
reached be sent to the Commission for its consideration as it develops
EU policies aimed at halting decline in biodiversity".