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| 1. Project Details |
| Author or Responsible Organization |
|
R D Smith and E Maltby. (2003) 'Using the Ecosystem Approach to Implement the Convention on Biological Diversity: Key issues and case studies. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK x + 118pp. |
| Project Title |
|
The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa and the
Zambezi Society |
| Date of Publication |
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| Project Status |
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Completed |
| Project Start Date |
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| Project End Date |
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| Countries |
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| Regions |
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Africa |
| Funding Source |
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| 2. Background to Project |
| Project Issue/Problem Statement |
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The project aimed at making available biodiversity
information that is site specific and multidisciplinary.It is
intended to cover the full range of biological groups useful
for effective monitoring of the impacts of developments
on biodiversity and development and implementation of
biodiversity conservation measures for the Zambezi Basin
wetlands. |
| Project Description |
|
The project approach built on available biodiversity
information through a literature review and used field
biological surveys to gather new information. This was
followed by analysis and synthesis of this information and
identification of information gaps. The scientific information
collected was then packaged into concise, focused and
digestible formats for policy-makers, decision-makers,
planners and local communities at all relevant levels.
The availability of scientific biodiversity information in
the appropriate formats is useful and forms an important
database for improved biodiversity conservation in the
wetlands of the Zambezi Basin. The project specifically
provided recommendations on the important species and priority areas for biodiversity conservation within the
Zambezi Basin Wetlands, recommendations for development
agencies to ensure conservation of biodiversity and
wilderness values, increased knowledge on the biodiversity
of the Zambezi Basin and facilitated its use in planning
processes within the basin. |
| Highlighted Aspects of Ecosystem Approach |
|
It was necessary to review the existing information
before undertaking field surveys to collect new
biodiversity information.
• The project made use of all relevant fields of knowledge
and expertise to collect,analyse,synthesis and package
information appropriate for different users.
• The project recognised the need to operate according to
available capacities at manageable,site-specific scales
within a larger ecosystem.
• Ecosystem managers need appropriate and scientifically
correct information to be able to make informed
management decisions.
• Recommended conservation actions need to be based on
the best possible multi-disciplinary understanding of the
status of species and ecosystems. |
| Conclusions |
|
Effective conservation of ecosystem involves not just a single species but all species. It is important, howevre, that particular species within an ecosystem be identified as the focus of conservation actions while recognising the funtional relationships in the ecosystem.
Conservation activities that involve communities need to follow the pace of those communities and not the pace of outsiders such as implementing institutions, donors or others with externally determined deadlines.
It is important to have a reliable and functioning monitoring system capable of indicating when a state of balance is achieved between conservation and use of biodiversity resources. |
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| 3. Sectors and Biomes |
| Sectors |
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| Biomes |
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Dry and Sub-Humid Lands Biodiversity |
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| 4. Tools and Approaches |
| Tools and Approaches |
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Relevance
Score |
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Further
Information |
| Public Participation |
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3-High |
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| Management and Incentives |
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3-High |
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| - Environmental accounting |
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3-High |
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| Data, Monitoring and Modelling |
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3-High |
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| - Data collection |
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3-High |
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| Cross-sectoral Research and Working |
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3-High |
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| 5. Issues |
| Issues |
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Relevance
Score |
| Sustainable Use of Biodiversity |
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3-High |
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| 6. Ecosystem Approach |
| Principles and Operational Guidance |
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Relevance
Score |
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Reason
(Only if NOT relevant) |
| Principle 3: Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their activities on adjacent and other ecosystems |
|
3-High |
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| Principle 5: Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning, in order to maintain ecosystem services, should be a priority target of the ecosystem approach |
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3-High |
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| Principle 6: Ecosystem must be managed within the limits of their functioning |
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3-High |
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| Principle 7: The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales |
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3-High |
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| Principle 9: Management must recognize the change is inevitable |
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3-High |
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| Principle 10: The ecosystem approach should seek the appropriate balance between, and integration of, conservation and use of biological diversity |
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3-High |
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| Operational Guidance A: Focus on the relationships and processes within ecosystem |
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3-High |
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| Operational Guidance D: Carry out management actions at the scale appropriate for the issue being addressed, with decentralization to lowest level, as appropriate |
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3-High |
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| 7. Lessons Learned and the Outcomes |
| Lessons Learned |
|
Effective conservation of ecosystem involves not just a single species but all species. It is important, howevre, that particular species within an ecosystem be identified as the focus of conservation actions while recognising the funtional relationships in the ecosystem.
Conservation activities that involve communities need to follow the pace of those communities and not the pace of outsiders such as implementing institutions, donors or others with externally determined deadlines.
It is important to have a reliable and functioning monitoring system capable of indicating when a state of balance is achieved between conservation and use of biodiversity resources. |
| Outcomes |
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| Other Information |
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| 8. References |
| References |
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Smith, R.D. & Maltby, E. (2003) Using the Ecosystem Approach to Implement the Convention on Biodiversity: Key issues and case studies. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, Uk x + 118pp. |
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| 9. Contact Details |
| Contact Person |
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Ms. Diana Mortimer |
| Job Title |
|
Ecosystem Approach Officer |
| Organization |
|
Joint Nature Conservation Committee |
| Address |
|
Monkstone House, City Road, |
| Postal Code |
|
PE13 4LA |
| City |
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Peterborough |
| ZIP/State/Province |
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Cambs |
| Telephone |
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+44 1733 866857 |
| Fax |
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+44 1733 555948 |
| E-mail Address |
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diana.mortimer@jncc.gov.uk |
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