Objectives of the Symposium

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".