Demonstration Projects

Argentina

Proponent
Universidad Nacional del Comahue

Collaborators
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología, Agropecuaria Bariloche (Argentina), Universidad de Chile (Chile), Universidad de La Frontera (Chile), CONAF (Chile), Universidad Austral e Instituto Forestal (Chile), Parque Nacional Lanín (Chile)

This project aims to strengthen technical and scientific cooperation between Argentina and Chile for the protection and management of the endangered Araucaria araucana species, known for its piñón seeds. Partners aim to compile and analyse relevant technical and scientific information, as well as traditional indigenous knowledge, to design a common approach for estimating the production of piñón seeds, as well as for inspecting and enforcing regulations regarding harvest levels to ensure that they are compatible with biodiversity conservation and regeneration. This project will include the promotion of sustainable use and commercialization of piñon seeds by Mapuche communities through the diversification of value-added products and the establishment of value chain and fair-trade mechanisms.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: Selected

Bhutan

Proponent
National Biodiversity Centre

Collaborators
Yamanouchi Gousha Co. Ltd. (Japan)

This project is designed to strengthen national capacities on biodiscovery research and the effective implementation of the access and benefit-sharing (ABS) regime in Bhutan, in line with the Nagoya Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity. In order to enable national actors to develop mutually beneficial relationships with biodiscovery companies and research institutes, the project will consist in collaborating with a Japanese-based company to provide training to target institutions and local communities in the sustainable harvesting of plant samples, the extraction of essential and fixed oils, and the analysis of resulting oil samples. This will be followed by a collaborative effort to develop value-added products deriving from this research. Key learnings from the experience will be shared among key ABS stakeholders in the country.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-04-04 to 2021-09-01

Botswana

Proponents
Trans-Kalahari Predator-Programme
and
WildCAT Botswana Trust

Collaborators
KAZA Carnivore Conservation Coalition (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe), Oxford University (United Kingdom), Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Bostwana)

This cooperation project focuses on providing the necessary scientific evidence required to support the recognition and protection of key carnivore corridors within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) in Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The area is home of one of the largest lion populations and is thus vital for preserving genetic diversity of the species. As part of this project, partners will collect and use GPS information obtained from collared lion movements in Botswana to refine and strengthen the KAZA Lion Landscape Connectivity Model. The aim of this model, which was developed based on data from Zimbabwe, is to use spatial analysis as a tool to predict potential corridors for lions across the landscape and identify potential human-lion conflict hotspots. It can also be applied as a landscape management tool to investigate the impact of proposed changes.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-01-08 to 2021-07-05

Brazil

Proponent
Horus Institute for Environmental Conservation and Development

Collaborators
Universidad Nacional del Sur (Argentina), Universidad de la República (Uruguay), DINAMA MVOTMA (Uruguay), Guyra Paraguay (Paraguay)

The goal of this project is to develop a regional common information platform offering data in Spanish, Portuguese and English on invasive alien species present in the participating countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), with a view to facilitating analyses of common priority species and pathways, and supporting joint management decisions. The activities of the project consist in providing support to update the existing national databases of Paraguay and Uruguay; developing a user-friendly interface giving access to all four national databases; designing a cell phone application for data collection by collaborators (scientists, protected area managers, field practitioners, and the general public); and agreeing on a unified data validation protocol for invasive alien species data.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2020-11-21 to 2021-06-31

Chile

Proponent
Universidad de Atacama

Collaborators
University of Chile (Chile), Universidad Yachay Tech (Ecuador)

The objective of this project is to isolate bacteria highly resistant to heavy metals with a view to producing biotechnology that prevents human and animal populations from consuming contaminated water or food. The Chilean side of the project will focus on analysing marine microorganisms that have the potential to convert arsenic, which has increased to dangerous levels in soil and water in northern Chile due to mining activities, into a compound innocuous for humans and animals. The Ecuadorian side of the project will focus on terrestrial sediment bacteria able to reduce cadmium concentration in agricultural soils, particularly in cocoa plantations. Through the joint development of bioremediation strategies, the project partners hope to help produce safe and healthy agricultural products, as well as probiotics that can prevent heavy metal intoxication.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: Selected

Congo

Proponent
Initiative des Champignons et des Plantes du Congo

Collaborators
Marien Ngouabi University (Republic of Congo), Wildlife Conservation Society (Republic of Congo), University of Parakou (Benin)

The objective of this project is to strengthen cooperation between scientific institutions based in Congo and Benin for long-term monitoring of mycodiversity in the subregion through the joint capacitation of young scientists and the standardization of research protocols. Tropical Africa is home to a high diversity of fungi, of which only approximately two per cent is adequately documented. This high diversity contrasts with the scarcity of native expertise, appropriate infrastructure and mycological literature. This project will help train early career mycologists in both countries by organizing joint field activities to sample and record ecological data and training in data management and specimen digitalization, specimen identification, molecular biology, biomass measurement and ethnomycological studies.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-00-18 to 2021-06-31

Grenada

Proponent
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean

Collaborators
Forestry Department and Fisheries Division (Grenada), Kipaji Inc. (Grenada), Ocean Spirits Inc. (Grenada), Forestry Department and Fisheries Division (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Coast Guard (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Tobago Cays Marine Park (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Tombolo Maps and Design (United States), Conservation Drones (United Kingdom)

This collaborative project aims to increase the capacity of law enforcement and other relevant stakeholders to monitor and enforce wildlife and habitat protection legislation on remote islands in the transboundary Grenadines archipelago. The Grenadines represents an important breeding area for several marine and terrestrial species. It is also highly threatened, due to illegal harvesting of seabirds, introduced mammals, and human development. In an effort to enable more consistent and effective conservation strategies, project activities will focus on providing training to law enforcement agencies in the use, maintenance, and data management of modern remote monitoring tools, such as drones and trail cameras. This will be accompanied by the establishment of cross-border protocols to monitor both natural resources, such as sea turtle and seabird nests, and threats, such as poaching, illegal fires and invasive species.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-02-29 to 2021-10-30

Honduras

Proponent
Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Honduras)

Collaborators
GIZ, Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), Viceministry of Coastal and Marine Resources (Dominican Republic), Viceministry of Water and Oceans Affairs (Costa Rica), National System of Conservation Areas (Costa Rica)

This project aims to foster regional dialogue and cooperation on economic valuation of marine ecosystems and strengthened marine ecosystem restoration and sustainable management efforts. To this end, project activities will focus on implementing a regional dialogue on the economic valuation of marine ecosystems, including key inputs from subject-matter experts, the presentation of progress made so far in the region, and the consideration of regional and international best practices. Subsequently, research will be conducted to propose a regional standard for the economic valuation of marine ecosystems. The resulting study will be published by the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), responsible for regional coordination of the Ministries of the Environment. To ensure long-term cooperation, the standard will be applied in a pilot project in Honduras. This project is supported by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-05-01 to 2021-11-01

Kazakhstan

Proponent
East Kazakhstan Agricultural Experimental Station and National Agrarian Scientific and Educational Center (Ministry of Agriculture)

Collaborators
Katon-Karagay State National Natural Park (Kazakhstan), Xinjiang Academy of Agriculture (China)

This project seeks to integrate the knowledge and skills of scientific and industrial enterprises of Kazakhstan and China to conserve and restore the biodiversity of pasture resources of rural settlements located within the borders of the Katon-Karagay State National Park bordering the Altai district of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. Project activities will result in the development of an international study on the protection of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources of pastures, including a cost-benefit analysis with particular attention to socioeconomic aspects. This will lead to the development of models and procedures for the conservation and sustainable use of forage crops, based on scientific research and practical experiences, and the provision of direct assistance and training to local communities on the same.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: Selected

Mexico

Proponent
Instituto de Ecología AC

Collaborators
Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (Brazil), Pontifícia Univ. Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil), Sun Yat-Sen University (China), Northwest University (China), German Primate Center (Germany), Robert Koch Institute (Germany), Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour (Germany), Univ. Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (Mexico), Chubu University (Japan), Kyoto University (Japan), Makerere University (Uganda), Universidad de Cádiz (Spain), George Washington University (United States), Northwestern University (United States), Hunter College (United States), University of Wisconsin, Madison (United States), Indiana University (United States), Indiana University (United States)

The objective of this large project, involving 19 academic institutions across eight countries, is to assess how microplastics threaten biodiversity globally, using primates as a model group. Partners will build and train an international team of researchers and conservationists to establish standard methodologies, conduct assessments, and eventually continue investigations into microplastics in their home and research countries. As part of this project, the collaborating network will use standardized procedures and technological advances to collect dung samples from 88 populations of primates across the world, representing 37 separate species. The analysis of these samples will help assess the health risks the animals are experiencing, through the documentation of changes in microbiomes, the organic compounds and pesticides found in the samples, and the presence of breakdown compounds from plastics that are hormone disrupters.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-03-21 to 2021-09-01

Namibia

Proponent
University of Namibia

Collaborators
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil)

This interregional project aims to improve knowledge about the effects of fire caused by land use and global changes on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the southern hemisphere, with a view to informing decision makers about proper fire management strategies. After mapping the history of fire in the target sites in Namibia and Brazil, project partners will join efforts to identify patterns in the eco-evolutionary dynamics of plants, insects, and soil physicochemical properties in savannas to different fire regimes. This data will feed into the development of mitigation and safeguard tools and measures that need to be established to manage fire and promote biodiversity.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-04-28 to 2021-10-15

Papua New Guinea

Proponent
Eco Custodian Advocates Inc.

Collaborators
German Development Cooperation (Germany), Blue Ventures Conservation (United Kingdom)

The goal of this project is to assist indigenous communities and national government agencies to develop appropriate protocols for the formal recognition of local Customary Marine Management Areas (CuMMAs). Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea is known to be one of the top biodiversity-rich spots within the Pacific region. In order to manage natural resources and prevent overfishing at the local level, indigenous communities have established orally defined rules and regulations. This innovative project will use modern technology to record, curate and codify these rules with the objective of having them formally approved and recognized by written law. The outcomes and lessons learned of this initiative will be shared with the “sasi” of Indonesia, the “tara bandu” of Timor-Leste and the “tambu” of the Solomon Islands.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-02-19 to 2021-08-01

Paraguay

Proponent
ALTER VIDA

Collaborators
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Argentina), Ministerio de Desarrollo Rural y Tierras (Bolivia), Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agropecuaria y Forestal (Bolivia), Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno (Bolivia), Brazilian Cooperation Agency (Brazil), Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Brazil), AGROSAVIA (Colombia), ProSierra (Colombia), Instituto Humboldt (Colombia), Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (Ecuador), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (Ecuador), Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (Paraguay), Ministerio de Agricultura y Riego (Peru), Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (Peru), FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

The “+Seeds” initiative seeks to establish a network of research institutions, germplasm banks and phytobreeders in the eight participating countries, which will focus on the recovery and conservation of South American cotton seed varieties, as part of the preservation of the cultural heritage of the region. Under the guidance of the Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), activities will consist in collecting data on native cotton varieties at the national level, and organizing and systemizing the information, with a view to establishing a regional database to facilitate intraregional exchanges on the conservation of the genetic diversity of cotton. Training in registration, conservation and management of cotton varieties will be delivered to women farmers and technicians of the project countries.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: Selected

South Africa

Proponent
Endangered Wildlife Trust

Collaborators
Raptors Botswana (Botswana), BirdLife Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), BirdLife South Africa (South Africa), IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group, CMS Multi-species Action Plan for African Vultures

This cooperation project aims to catalyse and coordinate the formation of a broad network of landowners and stakeholders that commit to managing their properties in a in a manner safe to vultures, with a view to ultimately establishing the first transboundary vulture safe zone (VSZ) within important vulture sites of southern Africa. The proposed zone spans 30,000 km2, 80 per cent of which is privately owned, across South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Partners in the three focal countries will work together to establish the presence and extent of threats to vultures on properties and land across the proposed VSZ, prepare wildlife poisoning response protocols and deliver training to law enforcement officials, and provide basic Wildlife Poisoning Response Kits.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-02-12 to 2021-08-01

United Republic of Tanzania

Proponent
Conservation of Nature for Survival

Collaborators
PELUM Kenya (Kenya)

This project intends to work with smallholder farmers from communities adjacent to the Rubeho Mountains, United Republic of Tanzania, home to three forest reserves. The goal is to enhance farming practices and increase agro-biodiversity, with a view to promoting environmental protection and resilience to climate change. In order to do this, activities will focus on forming groups of young and women farmers, building their capacities to work with irrigation organic farming systems, and promoting the exchange of lessons learned and best practices with organizations performing similar work in neighboring Kenya. Participants will be expected to pledge to stop farmland encroaching on surrounding areas and act as watchdogs of biodiversity.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-04-04 to 2021-11-01

Vanuatu

Proponent
Santo Sunset Environment Network and Eden Hope Foundation

Collaborators
Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (Vanuatu), Climate Action Network (Vanuatu), Pacific Island Climate Action Network

This project is designed to support the indigenous peoples of West Coast Santo in Vanuatu to access scientific knowledge, expertise, and resources related to biodiversity conservation and climate resilience from experts and scientists from Vanuatu and member countries of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), and to build long-term partnerships with relevant national and international institutions. In order to do so, activities will include convening two Custom and Conservation Summits with traditional leaders and indigenous natural resource stewards from throughout Vanuatu under the guidance of experts from PICAN member countries; organizing a mission by local and international experts to demonstrate grassroots climate change adaptation strategies and sustainable development opportunities; conducting an indigenous-knowledge-based flora and fauna inventory; and drafting a participatory Climate Change Adaptation Management Plan.

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Files: TOR.pdf

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Status: In progress

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Implementation: 2021-03-22 to 2021-09-15