June 1997, Volume 18 No. 2

Proceedings

Alien Species

These proceedings* of the Norway/UN Conference on Alien Species held in Trondheim, Norway on 1-5 July 1996 (see BNI 17(4)) are presented in the form of an unrefereed technical report (in order to have the document available before the SBSTTA meeting in September 1996). A chairman's report** containing conclusions and recom-mendations from the meeting is also available, and a book containing peer-reviewed selected papers is to be published later.

The purpose of the Trondheim Conferences on Biodiversity is to focus on the multidimensional nature of biodiversity issues in a comprehensive and coherent way, taking into account that the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from it constitute the very foundation for sustainable development. The Conferences will contribute to the enhancement of a solid scientific basis for policy and management decisions needed to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity, and this approach underpinned the 1996 Trondheim Conference.

The papers in the Proceedings fall into two broad categories. The first deals with the knowledge base and covers: historical, human and socio-economic perspectives and ethical and safety issues; the ecology of invasive species in different aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, with case studies from many countries; the impact of climate and land-use change; and the role of invasives as vectors for infectious diseases. The second looks at the tools and methods available or required for dealing with invasive species, and includes consideration of the following: early warning systems; risk assessment, including the impact of trade-assisted movement; assessing the impact and status of alien species; strategies for managing aliens and reducing their impact; analyses of the costs and benefits of invasives, including the use of some in agriculture; legislative and regulatory procedures; and the role of international organizations, coopera-tion and education.

Invasive species are identified as a serious global threat to biodiversity; in some countries they are the most serious threat, even more so than habitat destruction. National governments and international organizations and institutions are urged to address this problem seriously. Priority areas are identified and a call is made for a scientifically based global strategy and action plan.

*Sandlund, O. T.; Schei, P. J.; Viken, Å. (1996) (eds) Proceedings of the Norway/UN Conference on Alien Species: the Trondheim Conferences on Biodiversity, 1-5 July 1996. Trondheim, Norway; Directorate for Nature Management/Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 233 pp. ISBN 82 426 0703 6.

**Chairman's report. Conclusions and recommendations from presentations and discussions. Conference and publisher details as above, 36 pp. ISBN 82 426 0719 2.

Biocontrol in Rio

These proceedings* of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) Neotropical Regional Section Round Table on Biological Control in the Neotropics (held during the 12th International Plant Protection Congress in Rio de Janeiro, 11-16 August 1991; see BNI 12(4)) contain a series of papers reviewing aspects of the history, current status and future for biological control in some Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Uruguay. Papers are also included on the role of the Center for Biological Control for Central America (CCBCA) in Honduras, the mass production of entomophagous arthropods for use in Latin America, and an overview of tephritid control in the region.

*Zapater, M. C. (ed) (1996) El control biológico en América Latina. Actas de la III Mesa Redonda de Control Biológico en el Neotrópico, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12-16 August 1991. Buenos Aires, Argentina; International Organization for Biological Control, Neotropical Regional Section, xvi + 142 pp. [papers in spanish, portuguese or english]

Transgenic Crops in Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica is the region of origin of maize and a number of other crops, so the impending arrival there of transgenic (Bacillus thuringiensis; Bt) crops has special significance. These proceedings* summarize the presentations, discussions and recom-mendations of a workshop hosted by the Panamerican School of Agriculture (`El Zamorano') in Honduras in May 1996 on the likely impact of transgenic crops on Mesoamerican agriculture. It brought together key decision makers from the region. A set of recommendations arising from discussions is given.

Ten papers are included. The potential advantages and disadvantages of transgenic crops in the region are discussed, and a rational approach for their use is outlined. Issues relating to the integration of pesticidal engineered crops into Mesoamerican agriculture are considered, and practical aspects discussed, using rice, maize and cotton cropping systems to illustrate. The current status of transgenic pest control product development and commer-cialization is reviewed, and biosafety issues are also addressed. The development of field test regulations for pesticidal transgenic crops in Mexico and Costa Rica are described in two separate papers. The potential for gene flow between transgenic crops and wild relatives is examined. The probable effects of transgenic plants in decreasing the biodiversity of agroecosystems are explored. The importance of resistance management, a theme throughout the proceedings, is discussed. The need to develop strategies for transgenic plant deployment and for protecting the transgenic plant resource is em-phasized. An overview of research on transgenic maize conducted at CIMMYT (International Center for Wheat and Maize Improvement) in Mexico is presented.

*Hruska, A.; Pavón, M. L. (eds) (1996) Transgenic plants - Bacillus thuringiensis in Mesoamerican agriculture. Proceedings of a workshop held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on 20-23 May 1996. Zamorano, Honduras; Zamorano Academic Press, iv + 127 pp.

ISBN 1 885995 41 5, price US$15 + US$5 postage.

Available from: Librería Zamorano, Box 93, Tegucigalpa, MDC, Honduras, CA.