Editorial

摘要

Before my editorial thoughts turn largely to 2011 and the International Year of Chemistry, this year's International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) deserves a mention. The United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a 'celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives'. In 2002, the international community agreed that 2010 would be the year by which the rate of loss of biodiversity would be significantly slowed. Consequently, the Convention on Biological Diversity, first opened for signature at the Rio 'Earth Summit' in 1992, adopted 27 biodiversity indicators, grouped into six areas by the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership, leaders in biodiversity indicator development.