Mauritania - Overview

Remark:

Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Although Mauritania’s biodiversity suffers greatly from natural phenomena such as desertification and droughts, the country possesses areas of special interest with regards to biodiversity. The Parc National du Banc d’Arguin is a vast wetland comprising a great variety of birds and animals. Moreover, Mauritania is home to the biggest wader population in the world and millions of migratory birds come to the country to stay through the winter months... More »

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The strategy comprises eight major principles related to: value of biodiversity; sustainable development; in-situ conservation; ex-situ conservation; participation of population; rational management and ecosystem approach; indigenous and local knowledge and practices; collaboration between departments and levels of government, and sharing of costs, knowledge and benefits... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Mauritania intends to achieve this target through the implementation of national plans and international treaties (ex. CBD, CITES, reforestation plan, strategy on rural development, strategy on conservation of nature, etc.) The Third National report mentions legislations for specific issues related to the six work programmes of the CBD... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The national parks and reserves cover more than 2 487 000 ha. Two parks, the “Parc National du Banc d’Arguin” and the “Parc National du Diawling” are listed as Ramsar sites. In addition, 30 forests are currently under protection (48 000 ha). Problems occur in managing these protected areas for such reasons as the lack of financial and technical resources, low participation of local populations (which often don’t understand the purpose of these sites), lack of data, and low representation of arid and semi-arid ecosystems... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

A study on article 8j has been undertaken but there was no follow up due to lack of funds.

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

M. Cheikh Ould Sidi Mohamed

CBD Primary NFP, CHM NFP, SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP, Protected Areas NFP, GTI NFP, Resource Mobilization FP, GSPC NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

M. Cheikh Ould Sidi Mohamed

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP