DEVOTED TO BIODIVERSITY DAY, 2005. There is being published the book supported by the UNEP-GEF BINU Project in Ukraine, which materials were considered at the 3rd (open) session of the Project Working Group in December, 2004, and were discussed in 2003-2004 at numerous working meetings and during current reporting, as well as at the National Working Session (Kyiv, 2004), and the International Working Meeting of Project Member-Countries (Yalta, 2004).

Agrobiodiversity of Ukraine: Theory, Methodology, Indicators, Examples. Book 1. - Kyiv: CJSC "Nichlava". 2005. - 384 p. Edited by: Academician of NASU and UAAF, O.O.Sozinov, and Dr. of Biology, V.I.Prydatko. Authors: Sozinov O.O., Prydatko V.I., Tarariko O.H., Shtepa Yu.M., Kryzhanivsky V.I., Apetova Yu.V., Veklych O.O., Burda R.I., Chumachenko S.M., Karpenko S.O., Lychak O.I., Vatset O.V., Parkhisenko Ya.V., Kolomytsev H.O., Lopariov S.O., Ishchuk O.A., Potapenko L.S., Petrochenko O.Yu., Kozlova A.O., Lev T.D., Kryvyi F.I., Buravliov Ye.P., Pniovska O.M., Koval H.M., Stefanie  Aschman. Reviewed by: Academician of NASU, V.P.Kukhar.

This is the first collection of works of Ukrainian scientists, devoted to theory, methodology and indication of agrosphere surface status (agroecosystem) of Ukraine, including those with the use of remote sensing and GIS, and in combination with indication of wild, associated and genetic agrobiodiversity status, and in which for the first time national environmental statistics observes biodiversity (agrobiodiversity) indicators fact sheets according to the special form (IFS) convenient for target searchable systems available through the Internet. It is based on results obtained in 2002-2004 during implementation of the UNEP-GEF Project Ukrainian part "Biodiversity Indicators for National Use" (BINU). The IFS form has been proposed and applied for development of examples generated by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biodiversity. (UNEP GEF-BINU Project representatives participated in the 9-th and 10-th session of SBSTTA.) In the book, in the supporting package of 26 the most interesting examples, the authors ground and explain use of new for domestic ecologists indicators and/or indices, among which there are the following: Composite Index of Agrobiodiversity (Agrobioresource), Living Planet Index (LPI), Natural Capital Index (NCI), RDB-Index etc. The book substantiates expediency of including additional indicators/ indices based on, in particular, Ukrainian statistical experience for 1950-2004, into the following lists of SBSTTA. Among them there are the following: Protected Agricultural Areas: Agricultural Areas Inside of Protected Areas, Areas for Monitoring Wild Plantings Peculiar to Agricultural Landscapes: Representation, Sufficiency etc. The book contains unique summarizing on distribution of plant alien species in agricultural landscapes for the period of 1927- 2003, and on taxonomic diversity of mammals associated with agricultural landscapes. At the same time, the collection is a supporting report on agrobiodiversity status in Ukraine, and a handy manual for the corresponding searchable system of indicators/indices developed by ULRMC for the first time, both in Ukraine and other Project member-countries (Kenya, Ecuador, and Philippines). The annexes contain materials prepared with participation of specialists from the USA, Kenya, Philippines, Ecuador, the Netherlands, and Great Britain.

Upon completion of respective technical work, materials of this Book 1 will be available for common public on the Project web-site - UNEP-GEF BINU in Ukraine - in pdf format.

In 2005, we are planning to publish the Book 2 with the same title, make-up of which has already been launched. It will include new materials useful for biologically-oriented digital mapping, field trip results, targeted review of Ukrainian customs and traditions etc. Its annex will be a brief national report on agrobiodiversity status according to the Project materials. It is expected that specialists from Ukraine, the Netherlands, USA, and Great Britain will participate in the activities. We invite Ukrainian authors to collaboration! The deadline for materials submission is June 15, 2005. You can address for additional information to the Project Manager of UNEP-GEF BINU in Ukraine, Vasyl Prydatko, in more detail .

ULRMC devotes these news and achievements to the Biodiversity Day celebrated by humankind on May 22, 2005. See in more detail on the special web-site of the Convention on Biodiversity.