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          | International Day for Biological Diversity 2014 |  
        
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                  | ArticleSource: | Convention on Biological Diversity |  
                
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|  |  | International Day for Biological Diversity 2014     |     Islands and their surrounding near-shore marine areas constitute unique ecosystems often comprising many plant and animal species that are endemic—found nowhere else on Earth. The legacy of a unique evolutionary history these ecosystems are irreplaceable treasures. They are also key to the livelihood, economy, well-being and cultural identity of 600 million islanders—one-tenth of the world’s population. Read more about the importance of islands.            |  |