The role of biodiversity products as incentives for conserving biological diversity: some instructive examples

Most of the world’s biodiversity is found in countries of the ‘South,’ yet much of the demand for biodiversity conservation comes from the citizens of countries in the ‘North’. Biodiversity is an important source of medicinal properties that are highly valued in the North and of traits that may improve and stabilize agricultural productivity worldwide. Does this mean that a market for rights to medicinal and agricultural traits from biodiversity could constitute a major incentive for biodiversity conservation in the South? Here we draw upon several case studies that suggest the answer is in general negative. Those who want to conserve existing levels of biodiversity should not assume that they can free ride on the conservation incentives provided via the market for pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.