Notification 2005-014

Dear Madam/Sir, Paragraph 14(a) of decision VII/4, requests the Executive Secretary to compile, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting, information on mountain ecosystems and their role as water suppliers and examples of transferable technologies relevant to the implementation of the revised programme of work on inland water biodiversity also relevant to mountain ecosystems, and ensure that this information is considered in the implementation of the programme of work on mountain biological diversity and taking into account, inter alia, the work of the Committee on Forestry of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. To this end, the Secretariat is requesting the submission of case studies and related information that demonstrate the role of mountain ecosystems as suppliers of water. Attention should also be given to technologies relating to the sustainable use of water that may be applicable to mountains and transferable for the benefit of other mountain ecosystems. In general terms, the submitted case studies should briefly explain the background, key features related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use (in relation to inland waters), tools and monitoring processes used, and lessons learned. I invite you to submit the information to the Secretariat, if appropriate under the format attached, not later than 31 March 2005. Format for the submission of case studies and information on the role of mountain ecosystems as water suppliers and examples of transferable technologies relevant to the implementation of the revised programme of work on inland water biodiversity General -Title -Country of location -Status (planned, ongoing, completed) -Start date, completion date -Agency name leading the project and type of agency (governmental, United Nations, Inter-governmental, non-governmental). -Goals and objectives of the project -Stakeholders involved (government, policy makers, civil society, indigenous and local communities). -Biophysical context (forest, grassland, montane, agriculture, irrigation, water resources management, glaciers, dry and sub-humid lands etc.). Specific - Description of activities implemented (e.g. afforestation, reforestation, ecological restoration / revegetation, water resources management / allocation, restoration / rehabilitation of water cycles, ground water, dams, etc.); - Description of technologies used that contribute to the implementation of the revised programme of work on the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems (where developed for, or applicable to, mountain ecosystems); for example, policy frameworks, wise use guidelines, participatory approaches, modeling, environmental flows, land management technologies, water pricing, waste-water management, pollution mitigation, ecosystems approach, etc.; - Description of any potential or achieved positive effects on biodiversity (e.g., recovery of native fauna and flora, conservation/diversification of genetic resources, conservation of threatened populations, minimization of habitat fragmentation, reduction of sedimentation rates, restoration of ecosystem function) – including downstream and in coastal areas; - Description of any potential or negative outcomes on biodiversity (e.g., competitive displacement of native fauna and flora, increased soil erosion, increased abundance of invasive alien species, reduction of water flows and the water table); - Description of any links and/or benefits with conservation and sustainable use and improvement of community well-being; - Description of tools, instruments and/or technology applied to assess the project, to design appropriate policies or implement policy decisions; - Description of application of decision analytic frameworks prior to project implementation (decision analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis); - Describe the extent to which the examples addresses the impacts of water supply on downstream users (including the provision of ecosystem services); - Describe any tools and approaches applied for monitoring biodiversity impacts and degree of ecosystem degradation (e.g., criteria and indicators); - Describe any mechanisms for ensuring the participation of indigenous and local communities in the design and implementation of the policy/project. - Describe how international issues/management were addressed in cases where the mountain ecosystem in question is a trans-boundary ecosystem, including where the water resources in question flow from or into another country.

Executive Secretary

To: National Focal Points of CBD, UNFCCC and UNCCD, Rasmar Convention