A major gap in most country's existing legislation relates to the conservation and use of biodiversity outside of protected areas, and specifically to landscapes and ecosystems outside of protected areas. Where legislation does exist, it is often fragmented, poorly applied and enforced. The approach advocated by the Convention on Biological Diversity is one which is holistic and integrated, requiring the adoption of legal measures to ensure the protection of identified species, ecosystems and habitat types outside of protected areas. This is considered fundamental to achieving the goals and objectives of biodiversity conservation.