INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER ORGANIZATION

ITTO

TITLE

SERIAL NUMBER

COMMITTEE

SUBMITTED BY

ORIGINAL LANGUAGE

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

PROJECT PROPOSAL

EVALUATION OF MANGROVE FORESTS IN THE NORTH­EAST OF THE ORINOCO DELTA REGION IN VENEZUELA WITH A VIEW TO SUSTAINABLE FOREST UTILIZATION

PD 55/98 Rev.3 (F)

REFORESTATION AND FOREST MANAGEMENT

GOVERNMENT OF VENEZUELA

SPANISH

I. Through the establishment and monitoring of permanent mangrove plots, evaluate all aspects related to mangrove species gro\\1h dynamics, appropriate silvicnllural techniques and ecosystem productivity, so as to guide the development of a simple and practical management plan to replace current mangrove han:esting activities under annual permits.

2. Identify the technical elements that will contribute to the management of resources and the establishment of procedural guidelines on technical environmental aspects and on the restrictions to be considered in the application, use and implementation of sustainability indicators for mangrove forest production.

3. Determine and evaluate the socia-economic aspects and their implications for the sustainable use ofmangroyc forest resources in the delta-coastal area of the Delta Amacuro State.

EXECUTING AGENCY

DURATION

APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE

BUDGET AND PROPOSED SOURCES OF FINANCE

MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES - GENERAL SECTORAL DIRECTORATE FOR FOREST RESOURCES (MARNR-DGSRF)

18 MONTI-IS

UPON APPROVAL

Source

lITO Implementing AgencyfDGSRF Other sourceslCOMP ANIES

TOTAL

Contribution in US$

3114,1lI4 80,982 33,320

418,406

PART I: CONTEXT

A: RELEVANCE TO ITTO

1. Compliance with ITTO Objectives

This project proposal on "Evaluation of Mangrove Forests in the North-East of the Orinoco River Delta in Venezuela with a view to Sustainable Forest Utilization" is consistent with the following ITTO objectives:

Article 1. of Chapter I of the ITT A:

c. To promote and support research and development with a view to improving forest management and wood utilization.

f. To encourage members to support and develop reforestation and forest management activities using tropical species and/or tropical timber.

h. To encourage the development of national policies aimed at the sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources, and at maintaining the ecological balance in the regions concerned.

2. Compliance with ITTO Criteria

This project proposal falls within the framework of the provisions contained in Chapter VII, Article 23 of the ITTO Agreement and is related to areas b), c) and e) of paragraph 5.

Paragraph 5

b) Natural forest development. c) Reforestation development. e) Institutional framework, national planning.

3. Relationship to ITTO Action Plan and priorities

The project proposal is consistent with ITTO Action Plan and is related to the priorities established by the ITIO Committees in the following areas:

Instill a sense of urgency amongst consumer and producer nations to maintain tropical timber supply through sustainable forest management in order to guarantee sustainable production and forest management.

Develop and promote the establishment of an intellectual, economic and technological basis through the implementation of an integrated forest management plan and the optimal use of tropical moist forests, taking into consideration the multiple benefits that can be derived from them.

Evaluate silvicultural treatments through the establishment of permanent sampling (plots) techniques.

Assist in the formulation and publication of criteria, standards and guidelines for sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical moist forests.

Promote the implementation of Projects in strategic areas in order to foster the integrated development of sustainable forest management plans and industrial utilization.

Provide direct ongoing economic benefits to the local communities involved in the management of forests, the national industry and the international market, through the export of products from sustainably managed forests.

Carry out studies that will provide the information required to guide the planning and policy formulation processes aimed at incorporating forest areas into sustainable moist tropical forest management systems.

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B. RELEVANCE TO NATIONAL POLICIES

1. Relationship to sectoral policies affecting tropical timber

This project proposal on "Evaluation of Mangrove Forests in the North-East of the Orinoco River Delta in Venezuela with a view to Sustainable Forest Utilization" is consistent with the policies established for the new General Sectoral Directorate for Forest Resources of the Ministry for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales Renovables - MARNR).

The main objective of this government agency is to continue defining, planning, organizing, coordinating and promoting policies and actions aimed at the conservation, utilization and development of production forests and other forest lands in the country, with a view to preserving, protecting and enhancing the environment, particularly in relation to the conservation and management of production forests, the establishment of multiple-use forest plantations and forest industry development.

2. Relationship to subsectoral aims and programmes

With regard to subsectoral aims and programmes, the Venezuelan Forest Service relies on the Regional Biodiversity and Forestry Research Centre (Centro Regional de Biodiversidad e Investigacion Forestal -CREBIFOR) for the implementation of research objectives. The Centre is located in the City of Tucupita, Amacuro Delta State, and its activities are aimed at the design and implementation of forest research policies in order to ensure effective coordination and cooperation amongst concession companies, universities, organizations and institutions involved in forest research in the region. In view of the above, the Centre will be the support agency in the Amacuro Delta Region for the implementation of the objectives of this project proposal.

3. Institutional and legal framework

It should be noted that with the new restructuring process, the former Venezuelan Forest Service (Servicio Forestal Venezolano - SEFORVEN), the agency responsible for the implementation of the forest policy, has now become the new General Sectoral Directorate for Forest Resources, attached to the Ministry for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (MARNR).

As the administrative body in charge of forests in Venezuela, this new Directorate maintains direct links with regional directorates, timber companies and individuals through the conclusion of administrative contracts for the management of forest areas designated for permanent production forests, areas identified as forest reserves, woodlots and protected forest areas, which are classified under our legal system as Areas under Special Management Regime (Areas Bajo Regimen de Administracion Especial - ABRAE).

PART II - THE PROJECT

1. Origin

The project proposal on "Evaluation of Mangrove Forests in the North-East of the Orinoco River Delta in Venezuela with a view to Sustainable Forest Utilization" arises out of the urgent need to obtain updated and reliable qualitative and quantitative information on the existing resource potential in the selected area so as to develop the various aspects of the management policy to be implemented. This will provide an essential tool for the mangrove forest utilization, planning and management processes that are envisaged to be implemented in this area, which does not come under the status of Areas under Special Management Regimes (ABRAE) and is, therefore, vulnerable, due to a series of activities that are being undertaken without appropriate environmental controls. These activities are currently threatening the stability of the area due to the high demand for these species in the coastal areas of the Amacuro Delta State.

The above factor exerts enormous pressure on the mangrove forests and, therefore, in order to appropriately manage these resources it is imperative to evaluate and strengthen the existing information on the growth dynamics of the species associated to this type of forest, and their response to different interventions through the application of harvesting systems yet to be evaluated, which constitutes a key element for the decision­making process related to the sustainable management of mangrove forests.

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2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 Development Objective

Define conservation and management policies for the coastal mangrove forests situated in the Amacuro Delta State in Venezuela by applying forest planning and management mechanisms and evaluating the forest succession dynamics.

2.2 Specific Objectives

2.2.1 Specific Objective 1.

Manage the area to be studied, evaluate all aspects related to the growth dynamics of mangrove forest species through the establishment and monitoring of permanent mangrove plots, and propose the pilot application of silvicultural techniques so as to maintain ecosystem productivity.

2.2.2 Specific Objective 2.

Identify the technical elements and/or aspects that will contribute to the management of resources and to the establishment of environmental standards to guide the formulation of simple and practical management plans including natural physical, forestry, socioeconomic and other variables. This will facilitate the process of replacing the current mangrove forest harvesting scheme under annual permits, considering restrictions to mangrove forest harvesting and use, and promoting the application of monitoring indicators for mangrove production sustainability.

2.2.3 Specific Objective 3.

To determine and evaluate all socio-economic aspects and their implications for the sustainable use of mangrove resources in the delta-coastal area of the Amacuro Delta State.

3. JUSTIFICATION

3.1 Problem to be addressed

The rational and sustainable utilization of forest resources, particularly those of tropical moist forests, is an increasingly significant issue worldwide. However, it is a well known fact that the growing needs of the population exert more pressure every year on resources from natural forests, and this forces government agencies to adopt measures aimed at channeling and regulating the utilization and conservation of natural resources, through activities that are in harmony with the environment.

Furthermore, the main worldwide problem of tropical silviculture, in particular in relation to the forest management of this species (mangrove species) in Venezuela, is the uncertainty in selecting and applying appropriate silvicultural systems/methods/treatments for a given type of forest. The main aspects that contribute to this problem include:

The lack of information on the dynamics of the tropical moist forest ecosystem.

The lack of information concerning the response of the mangrove ecosystem to different silvicultural treatments.

In view of the above, and taking into account that mangrove forests in Venezuela are extremely important to the economy of the local communities living in the areas where these ecosystems are located and develop, it was decided to carry out a study to regulate the sustainable development of the mangrove resource based on the knowledge of its productivity, the dynamics of its populations and its response to the different silvicultural treatments that may be applied.

It should be noted that Venezuela has a SUbstantial mangrove forest cover of approximately two hundred and fifty thousand hectares (250,000 hal, situated along 3,200 km of coastline (MARNR, 1986). A high percentage of these forests have been disturbed or partially impacted by significant human interventions (tourism and urban development, roadwork, etc.). Furthermore, these forests are affected by irrational and illegal exploitation, generally uncontrolled, for the extraction of minor products, and in the Delta area these operations are defined as agricultural cuts (Pannier, 1979) in areas bordering the mangrove forests.

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3.2 Characteristics of region or area where the project will be located

Relative location: The Amacuro Delta State is situated in the northeastern corner of the country between the following coordinates: 59'30'00" and 62'30'00" Longitude West and 7'30'00" and 10'00'00" Latitude North (see Fig. 1).

Location of the study area: the proposed areas are situated near the coastal areas of the Amacuro Delta State, in the areas known as Pedernales, Isla Cocuina, Capure and Guaranoco (see Fig. 1).

Figure 1 shows the area selected for the implementation of the mangrove project. This area is located in the Municipality of Pedernales, where the Pedernales Forest Protected Area is situated. The latter was subject to a study in 1998-1999 under the MARNR-PDVSA-CVP framework agreement for the implementation of a Management Plan and Use Regulations for this ABRAE, which will soon be subject to public consultations for approval. This procedure will provide a legal-administrative tool which will serve as the basis for future technical activities that are to be carried out for the implementation of the project hereby submitted to ITTO.

Geology: According to COPLANARH (1979), the upper stratum of the Delta is mainly made up of immature mineral sediments and peat deposits that rest on a more stable and firm subsoil (marine clays, rich in pyrite) that have in turn developed on Mesa formations.

Geomorphology: There are three major physiographic landscapes in the region that are identified as follows:

Upper Delta: characterized by a predominance of fluvial sedimentation processes leading to the formation of islets, with soils of medium texture and peat deposits in the surface and marine or fluvial clays in the lower strata.

Middle Delta: characterized by minor fluvial-marine plains, the most important of which being mud flats and peat bogs.

Lower Delta: the area most in contact with the sea, which includes marshlands, estuaries and minor fluvial-marine formations that are under the influence of tidal dynamics. This sector represents the area proposed for the present study.

Soils: In general terms, the soils are classified as Histosols, Inceptisols (aquents and tropepts sub-orders) and Entisols (aquents and fluvents sub-orders).

Hydrology: The Orinoco Delta was formed by a combination of fluvial, fluvial-marine and coastline dynamics. In the Upper Delta region, the dynamics of the Orinoco and Manamo Rivers is the determinant hydrological

factor. The temporary flood-prone nature of these areas is closely linked to seasonal rises in water levels and to increased rainfall during the rainy season. For the Middle and Lower Delta areas, the fluvial-marine and marine processes are the determinant factors.

Climate: Tropical climate, characterized by a minimum variation of temperatures, both with regard to fluctuation and to annual distribution. Rainfall decreases from East to West, causing a differentiation of moisture levels in the various areas: the sub-moist area (Dry Tropical Forest) and the moist area (Moist Tropical Forest).

Rainfall: 1,600 mm to 2,400 mm annual average, between the months of May-December.

Temperature ranges from 26.2° C to 26.9° C.

Evaporation and evapo-transpiration: an annual average of between 1,800 mm and 1,900 mm, and an annual evapotranspiration average of between 1,419 mm and 1,360 mm (according to Thornthwaite).

Winds: the coastal sector of the Delta constitutes a front that is totally exposed to the constant dynamics of the trade winds, which blow across the area in a NE and SW direction, reaching average speeds of 15-20 km/hour and with the highest intensities in the period July - December.

Vegetation: taking into account the very moist soil conditions characterizing the Delta area, the hydrological regime of the area and the different types of physiographic landscapes, the vegetation of the area is

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characterized by very unique conditions which define the different habitats. Therefore, according to the geo­. morphological distribution of the area, the following forest types are found:

Upper Delta: Bioclimate: Dry Tropical Forest or Summer Rainforest. Formations: Evergreen - Semideciduous Forests, Seasonal Savannas.

Middle Delta: Bioclimate: Moist Tropical Forest. Formations: Swamp Forest, hydrophilic grasslands and herbaceous swamp.

Lower Delta: Bioclimate: Moist Tropical Forest. Formations: Palm Tree Forest or Swamp Palm Forest, Herbaceous Swamp Forest and Mangrove Forest.

It is important to point out that the main physiognomic characteristic of the Mangrove Forests is that height is the main dimension of the tree specimens found in these forests (height >= 30m).

It is also worth noting that mangrove forests are perhaps the most typical plant formations of the area. The main species found in these mangrove forests are red mangrove (Rhizophora sp.), black mangrove (Avicennia nitida) and white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa). There are three (3) species of the red mangrove genus in the area: Rhizophora mangle, Rhizophora harrisonii and Rhizophora racemosa.

Fauna: very few fauna studies have been carried out in the area; however, there are some reports for the Amacuro Delta that have identified the following species: birds - Tiririji manchado (Todirostrum maculatum), Guacamaya (Ara sp.), Corocora (Eudocimus ruber); mammals - Picure (Dasyprocta guamara), Danta (Tapirus terrestris); reptiles - baba (Caiman cocodylus), Turtle (Phynus gibbus).

3.3 Other relevant aspects of "pre-project situation"

There are several very important aspects related to the conservation and utilization of mangrove forests that need to be evaluated at specific levels in order to objectively identify the actions that need to be taken in the formulation of forest management plans for the mangrove ecosystem. If the demand for mangrove resources continues to grow in the area and there is no clear and precise plan for the ongoing utilization of this valuable resource, we run the risk that (mangrove) forest areas will be disturbed and perhaps will even disappear in the medium to long term, resulting in the destruction of other natural resources associated to this ecosystem, including the loss of biodiversity and an impoverishment of the rural communities sellied in the area.

The following background information refers to other activities or management actions that have been undertaken in mangrove forests in Venezuela:

"The mangrove forest area located in the central region of the Guarapiche Forest Reserve, made up of the island system constituted by the San Juan River and the Dos Aguas, Guasuro, Frances and Taro streams, was initially logged over for traditional mangrove forest utilization purposes due to its better access from the cities of Maturin and Caripito. The objective of these logging operations was to produce beams, rods and shores for the regional construction industry" (1).

"The idea of developing a forest management plan for an area of 70,000 hectares of mangrove forest in the Guarapiche Forest Reserve derived from an analysis carried out on country requirements and the available resources to meet these requirements, as a series of products were being imported that could have been obtained from the harvesting of mangrove forests and which were not easily replaced by other timber species. The rational harvesting of mangrove forests could reactivate the regional economy and raise the standard of living of the neighbouring communities through the generation of indirect employment opportunities. This idea led the Promotion Corporation of Venezuela to commission a study in order to establish the technical and economic feasibility of the logging of mangrove forests in the Guarapiche Forest Reserve. This experimental phase was carried out in a concession of 125 lots that would be harvested annually and administered under a sound resource management plan that would guarantee continuous and sustainable utilization of resources.

In 1969, the TAMAVENCA company (Tannin and Timber Company of Venezuela) was registered in Caripito. The aim of this company was the rational exploitation, industrialization and marketing of forest resources, particularly the mangrove resources in the eastern region of Venezuela. The production plan for this industry was established on the basis of the results of research studies carried out by the National Forest Products Laboratory of Merida and the National Technical Tropical Forest Centre on the physical and mechanical properties of mangrove timber, and the evaluation of the potential of mangrove forest areas" (2).

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3.4 Intended situation after project completion

After project completion, there will be duly analyzed and justified project outputs on natural regeneration dynamics, technical silvicultural mangrove forest management alternatives and guidelines for the presentation of small scale management plans, which will contain clear proposals on the way to tackle the current problem of the utilization of mangrove forests in the area, based on qualitative and quantitative information that is expected to be obtained through the implementation of the project. This will also facilitate the formulation of mangrove forest conservation and management policies that will become a model for the rational utilization of mangrove ecosystems, underscoring the importance of socio-economic aspects and their implications for the sustainable use of mangrove resources in the Amacuro Delta area.

3.5 Target beneficiaries

The outputs of the project will be used by the line Directorates of the Sectoral General Directorate for Forest Resources, to formulate policies for the utilization of mangrove forests, based on the evaluation of the existing forest potential in the area, on the growth dynamics of mangrove species, on appropriate silvicultural practices and on the productivity of the ecosystem, which will facilitate the formulation of a Forest Management Plan in accordance with the sustainable capacity of the forest.

Furthermore, the implementation of this project will help to consolidate the Regional Biodiversity and Forestry Research Centre (CREBIFOR) of the Amacuro Delta, by incorporating and training professional and non­professional personnel in the study area.

The institutional arrangements required to consult the target beneficiaries in relation to the design and implementation of the project will be carried out through the establishment of communication and consultation mechanisms with the representatives of the organized local community, concessionaire companies, National Universities, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Indirectly, the project will benefit the neighbouring communities, as it will demonstrate that the utilization of mangrove forests under a sustainable tropical forest management system is capable of generating many secure job opportunities and many sources of income for rural communities, while at the same time providing environmental benefits for the mangrove ecosystem.

3.6 PROJECT STRATEGY

3.6.1 Reasons for selection

Taking into account the fact that the proposed study area falls under the administrative control of the Ministry for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, but that currently there is no long-term sustainable management policy for the area, it was considered appropriate (given the growing interest in mangrove forests and the need to preserve this environmentally fragile ecosystem which is in danger of suffering degradation if adequate mechanisms for its sustainable utilization are not put in place) to initiate a study of the mangrove forests in the north-eastern coastal region of the country. The aim of the study, in the short and medium terms, is to generate and verify information through a diagnosis and specific evaluation of this forest, so as to incorporate forest management and resource utilization strategies that can be used as the basis for decision-making processes in this field.

3.6.2 Lessons drawn from past evaluations

With reference to this item, it must be noted that the vegetation of the Venezuelan mangrove forests has been the object of several stUdies over the last three decades. The most noteworthy of these have been basic and applied research stUdies carried out by experts in the fields of ecological, biological and forestry sciences from renowned national and international universities. This has facilitated the generation of information on certain aspects of mangrove forests and the development of some of the national experiences in this context, which are listed below::

Studies and research carried out by the University of the Andes on silvicultural and management aspects of the mangrove ecosystem.

Studies and research carried out by the Central University of Venezuela on ecological and functional aspects of this ecosystem.

Studies and research carried out by the University of Oriente and the La Salle Natural Sciences Society on aspects related to fauna.

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Studies and inventories for the utilization of mangrove resources in the San Juan river area, carried out by the private sector (Tamavenca) for forest management purposes.

Studies and research carried out by MARNR on field diagnosis, resource potential, socio-economic aspects, etc.

The Project on "Conservation and Management of Mangrove Forests in Venezuela and Trinidad & Tobago", FP:11/05/81/01(2038) sponsored by UNEP-MARNR, Sierra Club and the Institute for Marine Studies.

3.6.3 Technical and scientific aspects

First, It should be pointed out that the location proposed for the implementation of the project covers an area of approximately thirty thousand hectares (30,000 hal from where samples will be taken with a sampling intensity of 0.25%, which is equivalent to an area of seventy-five hectares (75 hal.

• Methodological approach for the establishment of dynamic and static sample plots in mangrove forests

The above approach will be adjusted so as to define a supplementary system for the establishment of dynamic and static sample plots. The establishment of static sample plots will facilitate the collection of preliminary information on the current status of compartments and/or strata of mangrove forests by age class as required by the work team for their evaluation, which will enable them to determine in the short term the management regime to be implemented in this type of forest ecosystem, considering (legal and illegal) social pressures related to the use and harvesting of Rhizophora sp.

The dynamic sample plots will facilitate regular monitoring (initially on a monthly basis) for the evaluation of forest growih (successional dynamics). The medium and long term objective of this activity is to collect more information for the development of management plans for small areas with a view to sustainable development.

The above procedures will involve the establishment of 0.1-hectare plots and 4 replications to cover a total of 0.5 hectares as the minimum sample area. It is expected that a total of 20 static sample plots and 8 dynamic sample plots will be established. However, it should be pointed out that this is a preliminary approach that will be duly documented and reviewed in more detail during the first phase of project PD 55/98.

Subsequently, during the final information publication phase, data will be extrapolated to one hectare so as to develop standards for comparison with other similar efforts at the international level if necessary, or otherwise for future projects that may be implemented in other countries under agreements with ITTO.

The issuing and/or application system for annual permits that has been implemented over the last few years for the harvesting of mangrove forest products (rods), and specifically of individuals in their initial grow1h stages, exerts pressure on the stands of mature individuals, which eventually affects the ecological, structural and diametrical distribution of the mangrove forest.

Therefore, the aim of Specific Objective 1 of this project is to develop a monitoring methodology in permanent mangrove forest plots so as to evaluate the dynamics and grow1h of mangrove species. The aim of Specific Objective No.2 is to develop the technical elements that will facilitate the management of the resource and the formulation of procedural guidelines for the harvesting and use of mangrove forests. This will facilitate the replacement of the current system of mangrove harvesting under the annual permits system; the introduction of certain restrictions on the harvesting and use of these forests; and the promotion and application of indicators to monitor the sustainability of production. The aim of Specific Objective No.3 is to identify and evaluate socio-economic aspects and their effect on the sustainable use of mangrove resources in the Amacuro Delta area.

To this end, the design of a combined system which should include both field work activities and a data base for continuous forestry sampling activities, through the establishment of a network of permanent plots, will provide reliable and ongoing information on changes to the remaining forest stands after forest harvesting activities.

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The following aspects should be considered in order to have a reliable source of information:

a. Review of past and current information and experience in developing and implementing mangrove forest management strategies in Venezuela and other parts of the world as the initial activity to be implemented by the project.

In response to this recommendation by the Expert Panel, a literature review phase will be included in the project to review information and experience at both the national and international levels. Within Venezuela, this activity will be carried out at the library of the University of the Andes, Faculty of Forestry. Furthermore, selected literature related to mangrove forests available at the Latin American Forestry Institute will also be reviewed. At the same time, to access data on international experiences, an information search will be conducted throughout the Internet in general and specifically to review individual case studies published in Web Pages by international institutions and countries with a history of mangrove development initiatives at the regional level (the Americas, Asia and Africa).

This literature review will be implemented over a period of six (6) months, although the search and review of specific information may be continued if so required by the work team during the implementation of project PD 55/98. This activity has been included in the schedule of activities shown in the Annex.

b. Continuous forest monitoring methodology through a network of permanent growth plots, where aspects such as size and shape of the plots, sampling intensities, etc., will be analyzed.

c. Design of an experimental trial, taking into account the following aspects: size of the experiment, number of plots, number of replications, number of blocks, etc.

d. Access to mapping information through a Geographic Information System.

e. Statistical processing and analysis of data obtained from sampling activities.

The project provides for the active participation of the project work team, together with national experts, in the design, implementation, data processing and interpretation of the pilot monitoring results, through the use of spreadsheets in Word-Excel. Based on the results obtained from the pilot network, a series of sampling intensities will be established for the development of future harvesting plans that the MARNR will have to authorize at the regional level, thus complying with the requirements of Objective No.1.

On the basis of the experience that is currently being acquired through the implementation of project PD 49/94 in the forests of the Guiana region in Venezuela, which deals with the establishment of permanent plots, the project proposes to establish transect plots of 1,000 m', or one tenth of a hectare, based on a random model design, for the establishment of this dynamic sampling system given the homogeneity or floristic wealth of this type of forest.

Similarly, the project has another important technical component which is to develop a digital mapping base for the study area in order to evaluate future mangrove utilization activities and to periodically evaluate their spatial distribution, their sustainability, expansion andlor reduction in the delta region.

3.S.4 Economic aspects

This aspect refers to the many regional or local benefits that can be derived from the appropriate use of ecosystem resources by the local communities, which include eco-tourism, fishing, timber harvesting and other forest uses. Their identification and monitoring will be established through a study based on field surveys, which will also provide information on other relevant aspects.

3.S.5 Environmental aspects

Together with the implementation of silvicultural treatments, the project will facilitate the quantification and monitoring of part of the biological diversity in the area of study as well as determining the possible effects of silvicultural activities on their different components.

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3.6.6 Social aspects

This refers to the traditional rights that the permanently settled or itinerant communities have over the resource, which are often ignored in the formulation of planning activities and development and management plans.

The implementation of the project will provide for the training of a number of local inhabitants in forest activities; furthermore, the exchange of opinions, experiences and ideas with project consultants and technical staff will also benefit these communities. The consultation and information sharing processes that will be carried out with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be an integral part of the extension and outreach activities on the sustainable management of mangrove forests.

3.6.7 Managerial aspects

The Venezuelan Forest Service of the Ministry for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, as the agency responsible for the Venezuelan Forest Policy, will be responsible for the implementation of this project.

3.7 REASONS FOR IHO SUPPORT

3.7.1 ITTO aspects

ITTO has shown to have a coherent policy for the effective technical and economic support of proposals related to the sustainable management of tropical forests at an international level. Furthermore, the approval process as well as the process for the administration and disbursement of funds is free of bureaucratic red tape, and ITTO's objectives in this field are shared by the Venezuelan Forest Service.

3.7.2 Relationship to relevant actions supported by other donors

The development of a forest planning and management system for the study area and guidelines for the submission of management plans and the evaluation of mangrove forest dynamics through the establishment of permanent plots, is currently an important proposal to reactivate forest activities under a sustainable development system in the Delta Amacuro State. There are currently no other potential donors; the only future support that can be expected will come from the consultancy firm or NGO that will be selected to develop the terms of reference for their conSUltancy work and the future participation of concessionaire palm heart producing forest companies, that will provide logistic support.

3.8 Risks

There are no risks that could hinder the implementation of the project as it is a regional project that is necessary to implement in order to generate proposals for the sustainable management of these coastal areas of the country, which would mainly benefit the Orinoco Delta Region.

4. OUTPUTS

4.1 Specific Objective 1

Manage the area to be studied and through the establishment and monitoring of permanent mangrove plots, evaluate all aspects related to the growth dynamics of mangrove forest species and propose the pilot application of silvicultural techniques so as to maintain ecosystem productivity.

Output 1.1

Forest planning and management in the area based on mapping techniques.

Output 1.2

Establishment of a network of permanent growth plots for the monitoring of mangrove forest dynamics.

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Output 1.3

Evaluation of the mangrove forest succession response to the implementation of harvesting intensity levels based on minimum cutting diameters.

Output 1.4

Evaluation of other experimental trials on silvicultural treatments previously established in the area to analyze their applicability.

Output 1.5

Management and processing of data and information on mangrove forest dynamics through the use of an information system.

Output 1.6

Preparation of technical document on spatial design proposal for the development of small scale forest management plans.

4.2 Specific Objective 2

Identify the technical elements and/or aspects that will contribute to the management of resources and to the establishment of procedural guidelines regarding environmental technical aspects and restrictions to be considered in the use and application of indicators for mangrove production sustainability.

Output 2.1

Document on technical standards and field methodology to be followed for the implementation of sustainable harvesting in mangrove forest areas.

4.3 Specific Objective 3

Determine and evaluate all socio-economic aspects and their implications for the sustainable use of mangrove resources in the delta-coast area of the Amacuro Delta State.

Output 3.1

Evaluation and processing of field data collected through socio-economic surveys on various aspects such as employment sources, basic services, product supply and demand, community participation, etc.

Output 3.2

To formulate a proposal for the involvement of the local communities in forest management activities.

5. ACTIVITIES AND INPUTS

5.1 Specific objective 1

Output 1.1

Forest planning and management in the area based on mapping techniques.

Activity 1.1.1

Demarcation of area to be covered by the project.

Activity 1.1.2

Updating and development of cartographic and thematic map base at a scale of 1 :50,000.

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Activity 1.1.3

Documentation on cartographic aspects so as to provide the technical elements required for the development of the management proposal.

Output 1.2

Establishment of a network of permanent growth plots for the monitoring of mangrove forest dynamics.

Activity 1.2.1

Documentation related to the project so as to provide the technical elements required for the formulation of methodological proposals.

Activity 1.2.2

Selection and demarcation of pilot area.

Output 1.3

Evaluation of the mangrove forest succession response to the implementation of harvesting intensity levels based on minimum cutting diameters.

Activity 1.3.1

Documentation on experimental design and description of treatments.

Activity 1.3.2

Establishment of dynamic sample plots.

Activity 1.3.3

Implementation of dynamic sampling in mangrove forests.

Output 1.4

Evaluation of other experimental trials on silvicultural treatments previously established in the area to analyze their applicability.

Activity 1.4.1

Review of past experiences in the area with silvicultural treatments for mangrove forest management through progressive and/or alternate strip systems.

Activity 1.4.2

Assessment of natural regeneration management potential of Rhizophora mangle species and establishment of trial.

Output 1.5

Management and processing of data and information on mangrove forest dynamics through an information system.

Activity 1.5.1

Design and establishment of data base and development of computer program for plot monitoring and evaluation.

Activity 1.5.2

Field data processing and analysis.

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Output 1.6

Preparation of technical document on spatial design proposal for the development of forest management plans.

Activity 1.6.1

Production of digital mapping specifying spatial land management and sites proposed for the development of sustainable mangrove forest management.

5.2 Specific objective 2

Output 2.1

Document on technical standards and field methodology to be followed for the implementation of sustainable harvesting in mangrove forest areas.

Activity 2.1.1

Defining administrative and procedural formalities to apply for the management of small areas under forest management plans.

Activity 2.1.2

Defining the technical aspects to be developed in forest management plans for small areas.

Activity 2.1.3

Defining restrictions to regulate sustained harvesting activities in this type of forests in the Orinoco Delta Region.

5.3 Specific objective 3

Output 3.1

Evaluation and processing of field data collected through socio-economic surveys on various aspects such as employment sources, basic services, product supply and demand, community participation, etc.

Activity 3.1.1

Methodological design for socio-economic surveys and analysis in the study area, highlighting possibilities, limitations and innovative strategies for the application of project results in the implementation of forest activities in the area.

Activity 3.1.2

Implementation of sampling activities and analysis of collected information.

Activity 3.1.3

Conduction of community consultation workshops for project implementation.

6. WORK PLAN

The Project's schedule of activities is shown in Annex 1.

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7. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXECUTION AND OPERATION

7.1 Management structure

At the central level. the General Sectoral Directorate for Forest Resources (DGSRF), through its Line Directorates, will be responsible for project planning, development and implementation, in coordination with the Regional Biodiversity and Forest Research Centre (CREBIFOR -Amacuro Delta) at the regional level, and this institution will be strengthened by the implementation of this project. Furthermore, the project will coordinate activities with the University of the Andes as a consultant organization, and with the Latin American Forest Institute (Instituto Forestal Latinoamericano - IFLA) based in the city of Merida.

7.2 Future operation and maintenance

All materials, equipment and other infrastructure to be used in this project will remain under the responsibility of the Venezuelan Forest Service/CREBIFOR-Amacuro Delta.

Once the initial twelve-month phase of this project is completed, work will begin on the following phases.

1) Consolidation of the methodology for the establishment and evaluation of permanent plots, by extending the coverage to other sites within the selected management area, which will be financed by the companies or individuals interested in participating, under the sustainable forest management model to be implemented in the mangrove forest ecosystem of the Orinoco Delta Region.

2) Implementation and follow-up of the consolidated methodology in all mangrove forest areas of the country where there is an interest in the harvesting of this species.

The general execution phase constitutes the implementation of monitoring activities as the technical guidelines that will be incorporated into the Management Plans to be developed for these coastal areas.

CREBIFOR-Amacuro Delta/SEFORVEN will be responsible for project follow-up throughout the implementation phase of the project. The University of the Andes will actively participate in the design, execution, data processing and interpretation of the results of monitoring activities.

7.3 Project key staff

Work Team Expertise Project Coordinator Expert in forest inventories, thematic mapping

and data management and processing Project Director

Consultants/Support Team Experts in silviculture, forest management, inventories, and forestry

Other project staff Experts in silviculture and forest management 1 Forest Engineer Expert in operational costs 1 Forest technician Expert in socia-economics 1 Economist Project implementation 1 Sociologist Field work 1 Secretaryltypist Typing and reproduction services

8. Prior obligations and prerequisites

The implementation of project activities will require the cooperation of all the parties involved. To this end, DGSRF, as the organization responsible for the forest management policy in the country, will establish the appropriate c.oordination links with the companies or individuals participating in the project through the Forest Management and Research Directorates, and in particular at the regional level through the Regional Biodiversity and Forest Research Centre of Amacuro Delta (CREBIFOR - AMACURO DELTA).

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9. Possible future actions

After year one (12 months) of project implementation, a gradual transfer of the administrative responsibility to the MARNR-Amacuro Delta Regional Directorate will begin. The Regional Directorate will be responsible for consolidating the ongoing forest monitoring methodology, which will become an essential tool for the formulation of forest management plans in the delta-coastal region. Subsequently, the monitoring network will be extended to other mangrove forest areas of the country with the financial support of companies or individuals interested in harvesting this species, who will then carry out future evaluations.

CREBIFOR-Amacuro Delta will be the regional representative of SEFORVEN. After year one of project implementation this organization will channel and centralize all activities related to the database and to the processing and dissemination of information.

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PART III: MONITORING, REPORTING AND EVALUATION

1. Arrangements for reporting

Given the short duration of the project, a mid-term project progress report will be prepared two months before the ITTO monitoring mission. Furthermore, quarterly project reports will be prepared as required by ITTO.

A final project report will be submitted to ITTO within three months of project completion.

2. Arrangements for ITTO monitoring and review

The project will be monitored by ITTO representatives at the end of the second quarter of project implementation. The first monitoring mission will visit the network of identified plots (sampling and inventory) on a date to be mutually agreed.

3. Evaluation

The monitoring mission shall decide on a date to carry out a mid-term evaluation as requested.

PART IV: PROJECT BUDGET

The estimated project budget is US$418,406. The implementing agency (MARNR-DGSRF) will provide a total contribution of US$80,982 through the participation of personnel to carry out project management, technical and administrative activities. This contribution will also include the provision of project headquarters and the use of field equipment and office. The forest companies will provide a total of US$33,320 through the contribution of technical staff and labour for the implementation of field activities as well as logistic support. ITTO contribution for project implementation will be US$304,104.

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ANNEXES

I. WORK PLAN

The project timeframe has been extended as reflected in the schedule of activities prepared for project implementation (see Schedule of Activities). The original project work plan has been adjusted in accordance with the ITTO Expert Panel's recommendation of extending the project implementation period by six months.

II. PROJECT BUDGET

In accordance with the Expert Panel's recommendation, the financial aspects of the project have been re­worked to provide for a six-month extension of the project implementation period, including the re-calculation of ITTO's Programme Support Costs so as to conform to the standard 5.5% of total project cost (see Project Budget).

III. MAPS

IV. LOGICAL FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE

V. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

VI. SUMMARY DOCUMENT - RESPONSE TO ITTO EXPERT PANEL'S RECOMMENDATIONS

16

I. WORK PLAN

17

and analysis.

Output 1.6 Preparation of spatial design proposal for the development of small scale forest management

mangrove forest

and consolidation of results

of pilot area for the application of

18

Work learn

Work team

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II. PROJECT BUDGET BY COMPONENT AND BY SOURCE (US$)

COMPONENTS DGSRF COMPANIES ITTO TOTAL

10. PROJECT PERSONNEL

11. NATIONAL EXPERTS 1 Coordinator (12 months) 32,400 32,400 1 Project Director (18 months) 36,000 36,000 1 Support Consultant (7 months) 10,500 10,500 1 Support Consultant (12 months) 24,000 24,000 1 Support Consultant (5 months) 10,500 10,500

2 Forest Engineers (7 months) 8,320 8,750 17,070 1 Forest Technician (7 months) 6,300 6,300

1 National counterpart (12 months) 10,345 10,345 1 Regional counterpart (12 months) 10,345 10,345

12. ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL 2 Secretaries/typists 14,300 14,300 1 Accounting Expert 12,414 12,414 1 Accounting Clerk 7,242 7,242 1 Lawyer 12,414 12,414

14. OTHER LABOUR 10 Workers (test establishment) 18,500 18,500 6 Workers (test evaluation). 6,500 6,500

30. DUTY TRAVEL 31. DSA 17,000 17,000 32. Transport costs 16,000 16,000

40. CAPITAL ITEMS 41. Rental of venue for consultation workshop 6,500 6,500 43. Capital equipment

2 Computers with printer 2,500 2,500 5,000 3 outboard motor boats 6,500 20,000 26,500 Field equipment 5,000 5,000 Software 2,000 2,000 Minor tools 1,500 1,500 office;'iiquipment 5,000 5,000 10,000

50. CONSUMABLE ITEMS 53. Utiltties/services

Fuel and lubricants 30,000 30,000 Maintenance of materials & equipment 5,000 5,000 Office supplies 10,000 5,000 15,000

60. MISCELLANEOUS 61. Accommodation, subsistence, toll rates and 10,000 10,000

logistic support 62. Cartographic material 5,000 5,000 63. Administrative costs 4,222 4,222

70. ITTO ADMIN., MONITORING & EVALUATION 71. ITTO monitoring and supervision 15,000 15,000 72. ITTO Programme Support Costs (5.5%) 15,854 15,854

99. GRAND TOTAL 80,982 33,320 304,104 418,406

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AREA DE ESTUDIO LOTE BOSGOSO PEDERNALES. NOR-ESTE EDO. DELTA AMAGURO

• Principales Centros Poblados

ES/08/03/2000

Figura # 1.

IV. LOGICAL FRAMEWORK MATRIX

PROJECT ELEMENT OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION M RELEVANT ASSUMPTIONS Development objective Define conservation and management policies for Encouragement and promotion of mangrove forest Technical-administrative standards to regulate Stakeholders involved in the forest seclor apply the the coastal mangrove forests situated in the Amacuro management and conservation in the target area. management in mangrove forest areas proposed slandards to guide the sustainable Delta State in Venezuela by applying forest planning development of areas designated for resource and management mechanisms and evaluating the harvesting forest succession dynamics. Specific objective 1 Manage the area to be studied, evaluate all aspects Field identification of areas to be managed based on Document on spatial distribution of areas to be Regional authorities support the initiative of related to the growth dynamics of mangrove forest sustainability criteria and evaluation of mangrove managed for mangrove forest utilization and location regulating mangrove forest utilization species through the establishment and monitoring of forest potential and succession dynamics of sites to be monitored permanent mangrove plots, and propose the pilot application of silvicultural techniques so as to maintain ecosystem productivity. Output 1.1 Forest planning and management in the area based Maps at a scale of 1 :100000 Publication of thematic maps on spatial planning and Use of generated information in the administration on mapping techniques. Location maps management of study area and adequate monitoring of simplified management

Satellite imagery plans Aerial photographs

Output 1.2 Establishment of a network of permanent growth Selection of sample areas to monitor mangrove Field location of established permanent plots Use of network as data collection and evaluation plots for the monitoring of mangrove forest dynamics. forest response to various harvesting intensities model on mangrove ecosystem dynamics Output 1.3 Evaluation of the mangrove forest succession Monitoring of mangrove forests through the Field measurements and data collection (inventory Use of information for planning mangrove forest response to the implementation of harvesting evaluation of minimum cutting diameters forms) management activities intensity levels based on minimum cutting diameters. Field observations

Data on design and trials Field visits

Output 1.4 Evaluation of other experimental trials on silvicultural Review of experiences and assessment of their Establishment and evaluation of pilot field tests Application alternatives of silvicultural techniques for treatments previously established in the area to applicability in mangrove forest management plans mangrove forest management analyze their applicability. Output 1.5 Management and processing of data and information Computer monitoring of collected field data Production of computer data for management Knowledge of ecological dynamics of resources on mangrove forest dynamics through the use of analysis and publication databases. Output 1.6 Preparation of technical document on spatial design Documentation reviewed Publication of technical document Use of cartographic information by various users proposal for the development of small scale forest management plans.

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PROJECT ELEMENT OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION (V) RELEVANT ASSUMPTIONS Specific objective 2 Identify the technical elements andlor aspects that Review of bibliographic references collected andlor Methodological manual Government and non-governmental organizations' will contribute to the management of resources and compiled interest in establishing standards for mangrove forest to the establishment of standards to guide the Documents management formulation of simple and practical management Information accessed via the Internet plans to replace the current mangrove forest harvesting scheme under annual permits. Output 2.1 Document on technical standards and field Proposal on technical instruments and Methodological manual on the use of techniques, Mangrove resources are managed on the basis of methodology to be followed for the implementation of methodologies to guide the presentation of simplified methods and regulations for mangrove forest sustainability criteria sustainable harvesting in mangrove forest areas. management plans harvesting. Holding of workshop on field monitoring

techniques and methodology. Specific Objective 3 Determine and evaluate all socia-economic aspects Socia-economic proposal to guide the formulation of Socia-economic surveys implemented to evaluate Community participation in the development of the and their implications for the sustainable use of management plans and the participation of local the social component and environment. area and the Delta Amacuro state mangrove resources in the delta-coast area of the communities in the benefits derived from the use of Application of indicators. Amacuro Delta State. mangrove forests Expectations on participation in the utilization of

resources and distribution of benefits thereof Employment sources

Output 3.1 Publication of document.orfinal report sho",ng the Monitoring of silvicultural treatment trials established Publication affinal report on established standards It is important for the future forest management results of project implementation in support afforest as part of forest management plans. for the formulation of simplified management plans. companies to develop areas of research on research activities carried out in the country Initial understanding of forest dynamics Zoning proposal for study area to identify sustainable mangrove dynamics monitoring so as to reduce the

mangrove forest management areas uncertainties on mangrove forest response to Documents on local community participation in halVesling resour~e management

- '--- ---- -

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V. ORGANIZATIONAUOPERATIONAL STRUCTURE

FOR PROJECT PO 55/98

MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

GENERAL SECTORAL GENERAL SECTORAL DIRECTORATE FOR DIRECTORATE

FOREST RESOURCES ODEPRI

STEERING COMMITTEE

REPRESENTATIVES FROM MARNR,

CONSULTATIVE - ~

ITTO, CONCESSIONAIRES, DONORS, NGOs, NATIONAL COUNTERPART,

COMMITTEE LOCAL COMMUNITIES

• ITTO MARNR NATIONAL

~ MARNR MONITORING

NATIONAL COORD. ~ COUNTERPART COMMISSION

, , ,

REGIONAL PROJECT ~

REGIONAL PROJECT SEFORVEN LEADER COUNTERPART LINE DIRECTORS

Management &

l' Planning

SUPPORT TEAM ICONSUL TANTS

CREBIFOR DELTA AMACURO

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ANNEX VI

SUMMARY DOCUMENT

Response to the recommendations made on PO 55/98 by the ITTO Expert Panel at its Nineteenth Meeting

Caracas, Venezuela, March 2000

I. Review past and current information and experience in developing and implementing sustainable mangrove forest management strategies in Venezuela and other parts of the world as the initial activity to be implemented by the project.

In response to this recommendation by the Expert Panel, a literature review phase will be included in the project to review information and experience at both the national and international levels. Within Venezuela, this activity will be carried out at the library of the University of the Andes, Faculty of Forestry. Furthermore, selected literature related to mangrove forests available at the Latin American Forestry Institute will also be reviewed. At the same time, to access data on international experiences, an information search will be conducted throughout the Internet in general and specifically to review individual case studies published in Web Pages by international institutions and countries with a history of mangrove development initiatives at the regional level (the Americas, Asia and Africa).

This literature review will be implemented over a period of six (6) months, although the search and review of specific information may be continued if so required by the work team during the implementation of project PD 55/98. This activity has been included in the schedule of activities shown in the Annex.

II. Methodological approach for the establishment of dynamic and static sample plots in mangrove forests

The proposed project will establish a study over an area of 30,000 ha for the implementation of forest monitoring through permanent sample plots with a sampling intensity of 0.25%, which is equivalent to a net area of 75 ha.

The above approach will be adjusted so as to define a supplementary system for the establishment of dynamic and static sample plots. The establishment of static sample plots will facilitate the collection of preliminary information on the current status of compartments andlor strata of mangrove forests by age class as required by the work team for their evaluation, which will enable them to determine in the short term the management regime to be implemented in this type of forest ecosystem, considering (legal and illegal) social pressures related to the use and harvesting of Rhizophora sp.

The dynamic sample plots will facilitate regular monitoring (initially on a monthly basis) for the evaluation of forest growth (successional dynamics). The medium and long term objective of this activity is to collect more information for the development of management plans for small areas with a view to sustainable development.

The above procedures will involve the establishment of O.i-hectare plots and 4 replications to cover a total of 0.5 hectares as the minimum sample area. It is expected that a total of 20 static sample plots and 8 dynamic sample plots will be established. However, it should be pointed out that this is a preliminary approach that will be duly documented and reviewed in more detail during the first phase of project PD 55/98.

Subsequently, during the final information publication phase, data will be extrapolated to one hectare so as to develop standards for comparison· with other similar efforts at the international level if necessary, or otherwise for future projects that may be implemented in other countries under agreements with ITTO.

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III. Relative location of study area in the Orinoco Delta Region.

Figure 1 shows the area selected for the implementation of the mangrove project. This area is located in the Municipality of Pedernales, where the Pedernales Forest Protected Area is situated. The latter was subject to a study in 1998-1999 under the MARNR-PDVSA-CVP framework agreement for the implementation of a Management Plan and Use Regulations for this ABRAE, which will soon be subject to public consultations for approval. This procedure will provide a legal­administrative tool which will serve as the basis for future technical activities that are to be carried out for the implementation of the project hereby submitted to ITTO.

IV. Extension of project's timeframe by six months in order to consolidate and structure the activities to be implemented.

The project has been extended by six months as reflected in the schedule of activities prepared for project implementation (see Schedule of Activities).

V. Re-calculation of lITO's Programme Support Costs so as to conform to the standard 5.5% of total project cost.

In accordance with the Expert Panel's recommendation, the financial aspects of the project have been re-worked to provide for a six-month extension of the project implementation period (see Project Budget).

• • •

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