To date, worldwide activities for the conservation of biological diversity focus on rural and natural or semi-natural areas. The biodiversity strategy for Berlin shows how biological diversity can also be protected and facilitated under the specific conditions of such a city.
Based on the German national biodiversity strategy the "Berlin Strategy on Biodiversity" aims at:

• the conservation and facilitation of Berlin's biological diversity,
• the sustainable use and the integration of Berlin's biological diversity into a sustainable form of urban development,
• taking global responsibility by maximizing the city's contribution to the conservation of worldwide biological diversity.

The "Berlin Strategy ..." is a sound and informative basis for decision-making for politicians, planners and other stakeholders alike. Integrating existing instruments and plans it identifies strategic goals and focuses on their implementation. Furthermore, the "Berlin Strategy on Biodiversity" transparently informs society about Berlin's biological diversity and strengthens public awareness of its value. Thus, important components of the "Berlin Strategy ..." are:

• the characterization of Berlin's biological diversity (status quo, trends etc.)
• a strategic approach for the conservation and facilitation of Berlin's biological diversity (identification of themes, focal points and strategic goals)
• implementation (proposal of an action plan, identification of relevant stakeholders etc.)
• instruments for success control (proposal of suitable indicators)

A significant characteristic of the "Berlin Strategy on Biodiversity" is its procedural development, i.e. a wide range of possible goals and activities is discussed and advanced under participation of relevant stakeholders.


Funding: Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung Berlin
Duration: 07/2009 - 10/2011
Persons in charge: Prof. Dr. Ingo Kowarik, Dipl-Ing. Robert Bartz, Dr. Ulrich Heink, Dipl.-Ing. Frauke Weber