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Dr. Thomas SchaafUNESCODivision of Ecological SciencesMan and the Biosphere Programme (MAB)
International Concepts of Nature International Concepts of Nature Conservation:Conservation:
UNESCO’s World Network of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Reserves and the and the World Heritage ConventionWorld Heritage Convention
• Overview on Overview on Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Reserves and and World Heritage Convention World Heritage Convention
• Differences and similaritiesDifferences and similarities
• Can the two concepts be Can the two concepts be complementary to one another?complementary to one another?
• Biosphere Reserve conceptBiosphere Reserve concept:: to couple environmental conservationto couple environmental conservation with sustainable developmentwith sustainable development
• World Heritage conceptWorld Heritage concept:: to conserve the world’s most to conserve the world’s most outstanding natural (and cultural) outstanding natural (and cultural) sitessites
The Man and the Biosphere The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme:(MAB) Programme:
provides conceptual and provides conceptual and administrative framework for administrative framework for Biosphere Reserves as an Biosphere Reserves as an intergovernmental programmeintergovernmental programme
The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - Programme - ObjectivesObjectives
Environmental research and conservation Environmental research and conservation programme programme
• Objective 1Objective 1: to study and improve the : to study and improve the relationship between people and relationship between people and their environmenttheir environment
• Objective 2Objective 2: to conserve the environment : to conserve the environment through sustainable use ofthrough sustainable use ofnatural resources (biosphere reserves)natural resources (biosphere reserves)
The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - Programme - OriginsOrigins
• 1968: Biosphere Conference (organised by 1968: Biosphere Conference (organised by UNESCO, FAO, WHO, IUCN, ICSU) UNESCO, FAO, WHO, IUCN, ICSU)
• 1971: Approval of MAB Programme by 1971: Approval of MAB Programme by UNESCO General ConferenceUNESCO General Conference
• 1971: First session of the MAB1971: First session of the MABInternational Co-ordinating CouncilInternational Co-ordinating Council
• 1975: first biosphere reserve nominations1975: first biosphere reserve nominations
Hallmark of Biosphere Hallmark of Biosphere Reserves: Reserves: three functionsthree functions
• Each Biosphere Reserve is intended to fulfil three basic functions, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing. It is the synergy of these functions which makes it a biosphere reserve
Three inter-related zones:• core area (s), • buffer zone,
and • outer transition area or area of co-operation
Zonation pattern of Zonation pattern of biosphere reservesbiosphere reserves
• Formally recognised by 188 Member States of UNESCO
• Tool for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources (thus contributing to the CBD and the UNCCD)
• To-date: 425 biosphere reserves in 95 countries
• 30 new nominations received in 2002 (of which 18 were approved)
The World Network The World Network of of
Biosphere ReservesBiosphere Reserves
Biosphere Reserves in Asia-Pacific
Issyk-Kul BR
Biosphere Reserves in Africa
Queen Elizabeth BR
Biosphere Reserves
in South America
Huascaran BR
Biosphere Reserves in Northern America
Everglades BR
Biosphere Reserves inEurope
Luberon BR
Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (Seville, Spain, 1996)
Article 1: DefinitionArticle 2: World Network of Biosphere ReservesArticle 3: FunctionsArticle 4: CriteriaArticle 5: Designation procedureArticle 6: PublicityArticle 7: Participation in the NetworkArticle 8: Regional and thematic networksArticle 9: Periodic reviewArticle 10: Role of Secretariat
Article 4 (Criteria): General criteria of a Biosphere Reserve:
1. Representative ecosystem of a major biogeographic region;
2. Significance for biological diversity;
3. Site for exploring sustainable development on a regional scale;
4. Appropriate size to serve the three functions;
5. Zonation should reflect the functions:(a) core area: legally constituted for long-term
protection;(b) buffer zone: clearly identified for activities
compatible with conservation;(c) transition area for sustainable resource management
practises.Legally protected for conservation
Research, monitoring, education
Sustainable development
6. Involvement of people (public authorities,local communities, private stake-holders…), with provisions for:
• a management plan or policy;
• a designated authority to implement this plan;
• programmes for research, monitoring, educationand training.
Local level:Biosphere Reserve
National level:Ministry
Research level:University
Local level:Biosphere Reserve
Local level:Biosphere Reserve
Local level:Biosphere Reserve
National level:Ministry
National level:Ministry
National level:Ministry
Research level:University
Research level:University
Research level:University
Biosphere Reserves for biodiversity conservation and sustainabledevelopment inanglophone Africa (BRAAF)
A networkA networkforforcollaborationcollaboration
Project Objectives:
(1) Biodiversity conservation: • enhancing the protection of the site.• species inventorying.
(2) Sustainable development:• find alternative income opportunities for local people, so as to reduce pressure on the protected areas.
Ghana - Bia Biosphere Reserve
Main partners:• Environmental Protection Agency;• Wildlife Department;• University of Ghana, Botany Department;• Local people
Bia Biosphere Reserve
•Administrative Unit: Bia National Park
•Area (hectares): 7,770 •Elevation Range: 145 - 230m •Biome: Tropical humid forests • Biogeographic Province:
Guinean Rain Forest •Year Designated as Biosphere
Reserve: 1983
Principal Monitoring and Research Themes:
• Elephant population research • Primate species monitoring
Problem:With designation of national park restriction of natural resources use.
Problem solving: to find alternativeincome opportunities, in particular to satisfy the demands on animal protein for the local populations
Solution 1:Establishment of fish pondsin buffer/transition zones
Solution 2:a) provision of licenses to collect African giant snails (Acatina acatina)
b) establishing snail farms in local communities around the the biosphere reserve (commercial farming)
Uganda - Queen Elizabeth BR
Main partners:• Makerere University;• Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)• Local people
Queen Elizabeth BRQueen Elizabeth BR
QUEEN ELIZABETH Biosphere Reserve
Major ecosystem type: Tropical dry or deciduous forests/mixed mountain and highland systems Major habitats & land cover types: Undulating grasslands with Euphorbia spp.; Acacia savannas; semi-deciduous tropical high forest; semi-deciduous forest; swamps dominated by Cyperus papyrus and Vossia cuspidata; tundra; salt lakes with salt extraction areas; agroecosystems; pasture land; lakes
•Area (hectares): 246,500 • Altitude: +910 to +1,390• Year designated: 1979
Current research/monitoring activities: • Monitoring on soil, sediment and water chemistry and plant dynamics of polluted and degraded areas; • Small mammals;• Inventory of large mammals and their potential utilization;• Fisheries resources;•Studies on resource utilization by local communities, problem animals and food security
Problems:• Intensive agricultural land use right at the border
of the protected area;• Eleven fishing villages within the park.
Solutions:• Collaboration with local populations (information
seminars)• Establishment of bee hives for apiculture to diversify income opportunities
• Development of tourism industry, in particular selling of handicrafts by women
Amboseli BRAmboseli BR
Kenya -Amboseli BR
Main partners:• National Environment Secretariat;• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS);• Amboseli/Tsavo Group Ranches Association;• Local people.
Area (hectrares): 483,206Altitude: 1,000 to +1,300Year designated: 1991
Current principal research/ monitoring activities:
• Ecology of the Amboseli Basin • Long term baboon, vervet and
elephant studies • Tourism impacts assessment • Ecosystem restoration • Buffer zone development
analysis • Studies on change of swamps• Setting up of game ranches• GIS applications for reserve
management
Major ecosystem type: Tropical grasslands and savanna
Major habitats & land cover types: Commiphora/Acacia bushland; saline/alkaline plains; Acacia woodland with yellow-barked acacia; swampland supporting sedges (Cyperus spp.) including Cyperus papyrus; agroecosystems with tomatoes, onions, maize, bananas etc.
Problems:• Resource use conflicts with local populations
(Masaai);• Tourism pressure on restricted area
(national park)
Reduced competition on park resources (less poaching)
Reduced tourist pressure on national park and diffused it to surrounding areas.
Solutions: Establishment of private group ranches in collaboration with Masaai
Results of BRAAF project:
• Information exchange among countries through annual meetings on a rotation principle.
• New ideas for resource use and resource management (apiculture, snail farming).
• At each site: in-depth species inventorying. • Universities carried out scientific studies at each site. • Sensitization of local people on biosphere reserve
concept.• Based on needs of local people: introduction of schemes for income generation.• “Positive competition” effect.
The World Heritage ConventionThe World Heritage Convention
Basics for the protection of natural sites and cultural
landscapes
The World Heritage ConceptThere is a set of places that are of such outstanding universal value that their deterioration or destruction constitutes a loss to the heritage of all humanity, not just to the country in which it is located.
These cultural and natural places
make up the world’s heritage.
The World Heritage List:
To-date, the World Heritage Committee has inscribed 730 properties on the World Heritage List, of which: • 563 cultural sites;• 144 natural sites; and • 23 mixed properties
in 125 States Parties
Threats to the world’s heritage became increasingly apparent during the 1960’s; e.g.
» Potential loss of the Nubian Monuments (Egypt) under the Aswan High Dam.
» Floods in Venice (Italy) damaged buildings and frescos;
Independent moves to create international instruments for the protection of cultural heritage and of natural heritage initiative to form a single legal instrument.
Genesis of the Convention
Nomination of sites• Only a State Party can nominate a site on its
territory;
• Site can be justified on the basis of cultural heritage, natural heritage or a combination;
• Qualities of the site are assessed against a set of criteria developed by the WH Committee.
The Convention
1972 World Heritage Convention
1975 Convention operational
1978 First nature site inscribed
1978 Operational Guidelines
1992 Cultural Landscapes
Categories
Role of the World Heritage Convention
• Seeks to identify and protect the world’s heritage through a system of collective assistance and co-operation;
• Intended to compliment, not replace, the actions of States Parties;
• Establishes the World Heritage Committee, World Heritage List, the List of World Heritage in Danger, & the World Heritage Fund.
Nomination procedure
1) Countries become “State Parties” by signing
the World Heritage Convention and pledging
to protect their cultural/natural heritage;
2) State Party:• makes a tentative list by selecting sites con-
sidered to be of “outstanding universal value”.
•
Nominates sites for inscription on the WH List.
•
Sends nomination to UNESCO WH Centre.
3) UNESCO World Heritage Centre:• checks the nomination file;• send the nomination file to ICOMOS (for cultural sites) or to IUCN (for natural sites).
4) ICOMOS and/or IUCN:• send experts to: - evaluate protection & management of site - prepare a technical report.• Check the Convention criteria• send the evaluation report incl.
recommendations to WH Bureau
5) World Heritage Bureau:• examines the proposal & recommendations• may ask for further information to State Party
6) World Heritage Committee:• may ask for further information to State Party• refuses inscription or • inscribes the in the World Heritage List.
Nomination CriteriaNomination Criteria
as per Convention and itsas per Convention and its
Operational GuidelinesOperational Guidelines
Natural criteria (Article 2 of the Convention):
”Natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view;
geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation;
natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty."
Operational Guidelines: a natural site must fulfil one or several of the following criteria:
Criterion 1: outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
Example: Yellowstone NP (USA)
•More geothermal features than the rest of the world combined (>300 geysers & >10000 other);
• 27 fossil forests;
• Abundance of pleistocene glaciation features.
Or Criterion 2: be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
• Elevational differences produced a range of plant communities (semi-arid steppe alpine tundra);
• Important habitats for large free-ranging mammals (incl. bisons, bears, carnivores).
OrCriterion 3: contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
• Superlative hydrothermal phenomena:
– Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs etc;
• Edges of lava flows creating 41 waterfalls;
• Plateau surrounded by high mountains.
OrCriterion 4: contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
• 290 species of birds, 58 mammals, 13 fish, 6 reptiles, 4 amphibians, 1,100 vascular plants;
• Threatened species including peregrine falcon, bald eagle, grizzly bear & mountain lion.
List of World Heritage in Danger
• The Committee may list a site upon the “List of World Heritage in Danger” if it feels that it is threatened by a serious and specific danger;– Ascertained danger: a manifest danger to the integrity of the
site that is specific and imminent;
– Potential danger: a threat that may develop and threaten a site, such as a reduction in protective regime;
• Danger listing is the first step in the process to remove sites that have lost their outstanding universal value from the World Heritage List.
Biosphere ReservesBiosphere Reserves
and and
World Heritage sitesWorld Heritage sites• Differences• Similarities• Operations• Complementarity
Differences
WH sites must be of outstanding universal value
BRs are representative or typical ecosystems
WH sites generally cover protected areas only (e.g. national park)
BRs go beyond boundaries of protected areas: they also include economically used areas (buffer & transition zones)
WH sites emphasize conservation (though research & training may also be required for improved site protection)
BRs promote conservation, research and development in an equal manner
Similarities
WH sites are protected areas
BRs include protected areas
WH sites provide the highest degree of international legal protection
BRs have varying degrees of legal protection (e.g. from nature reserves to national parks), but are also internationally recognized
The WH Convention is serviced by UNESCO
(= World Heritage Centre)
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is serviced by UNESCO
(= Division of Ecological Sciences)
Operations
World Heritage Convention ratified by 174 States Parties
Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves adopted by a UNESCO General Conference Resolution (188 Member States)
Status of conservation monitored on case-by-case basis and on regional basis (6 years’ cycle)
Periodic review of BRs every ten years
Delisting formally foreseen by WH Committee
Delisting foreseen in Statutory Framework
Complementarity
WH sites provide the highest degree of international legal protection
BRs provide scientific knowledge on the functioning of ecosystems
WH sites can benefit from the WH Fund for enhanced conservation (e.g. training of managers)
BRs are sites where scientists and managers meet: BRs have the logistic and scientific capacities to organize training seminars
WH sites often generate income through tourism
BRs promote sustainable development in partnership with local people
ComplementarityOver 60 sites are both - Natural world heritage sites and biosphere reserves
For example:
• India: Sunderbans Nat. Park WH site (1987) Sunderbans BR (2001)
• Tanzania: Serengeti-Ngorongoro BR (1981) Serengeti WH site (1981)
Useful websites :
www.unesco.org/mab
www.unesco.org/whc