Secretariat of the Convention on Also available Biological Diversity

103 Pages·2006·5.64 MB·English

23
Secretariat CBD Technical Series No.
of the Convention on
Biological Diversity
Also available
Issue 1: Assessment and Management of Alien Species that Threaten Ecosystems,
Habitats and Species
Issue 2: Review of The Efficiency and Efficacy of Existing Legal Instruments
Applicable to Invasive Alien Species
Issue 3: Assessment, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Forest Biodiversity REVIEW OF EXPERIENCE WITH
ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS,
Issue 4: The Value of Forest Ecosystems
CORRIDORS AND BUFFER ZONES
Issue 5: Impacts of Human-Caused Fires on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Functioning, and Their Causes in Tropical, Temperate and Boreal Forest
Biomes
Issue 6: Sustainable Management of Non-Timber Forest Resources
Issue 7: Review of the Status and Trends of, and Major Threats to, Forest
Biological Diversity
Issue 8: Status and trends of, and threats to, mountain biodiversity, marine, coastal
and inland water ecosystems
Issue 9: Facilitating Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity
Issue 10: Interlinkages between Biological Diversity and Climate Change
Issue 11: Status and Trends of Biodiversity of Inland Water Ecosystems
Issue 12: Solutions for Sustainable Mariculture
Issue 13: Technical Advice on the Establishment and Management of a National
System of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas
Issue 14: Integrated Marine And Coastal Area Management (Imcam) Approaches
For Implementing The Convention On Biological Diversity
Issue 15: Biodiversity Issues For Consideration In The Planning, Establishment And
Management Of Protected Area Sites And Networks
Issue 16: The Impact of Trade Liberalization on Agricultural Biodiversity
Issue 17: Working Together for Biodiversity: Regional and International Initiatives
Contributing to Achieving and Measuring Progress Towards the 2010
Target
Issue 18: Towards Effective Protected Areas Systems
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CBD Technical Series No. 23
REVIEW OF EXPERIENCE WITH ECOLOGICAL
NETWORKS, CORRIDORS AND BUFFER ZONES
Graham Bennett and Kalemani Jo Mulongoy

March 2006
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones
Published by the Secretariat of the Convention Citation
on Biological Diversity. ISBN: 92-9225-042-6 Graham Bennett and Kalemani Jo Mulongoy
(2006). Review of Experience with Ecological
Copyright © 2006, Secretariat of the Convention Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones. Secretariat
on Biological Diversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity,
Montreal, Technical Series No. 23, 100 pages
The designations employed and the presentation
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part of the Secretariat of the Convention on on Biological Diversity
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The views reported in this publication do not E-mail: [email protected]
necessarily represent those of the Convention on Website: http://www.biodiv.org
Biological Diversity nor those of the reviewers.
The Secretariat gratefully acknowledges the
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones

FOREWORD
The unprecedented increase in the human use cal design and physical planning that facilitates
of natural resources over the last century has interaction with other types of land use.
adversely affected ecosystems, leading to their A large number of ecological networks have
fragmentation and loss of biological diversity. been developed around the world. However, a
Protected areas that remain as isolated units, thorough and systematic compilation of infor-
surrounded by a radically altered habitat, almost mation on ecological networks and their contri-
always face serious viability problems over the bution to conservation and the sustainable use
long term. of biological diversity and sustainable develop-
The importance of strengthening ecological ment was, until now, not available. Against this
coherence and resilience as necessary condi- background, the Secretariat of the Convention
tions for both biodiversity conservation and on Biological Diversity has undertaken this ini-
sustainable development has been echoed in tiative. This review document contains detailed
conservation and development fora for some information on the development and implemen-
time. One of the actions identifi ed by the Plan tation of ecological networks in each of the fi ve
of Implementation of the World Summit on UN regions. The examples and case studies pro-
Sustainable Development as necessary to achieve vide a wealth of information on ecological net-
the 2010 biodiversity target is to “promote the works. The study also focuses on lessons learned
development of national and regional ecological and on the suitability of ecological networks for
networks and corridors”. The CBD programme biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and
of work on protected areas emphasizes the poverty alleviation, and on their contribution to
importance of establishing protected areas in a the 2010 target.
mosaic of land and water habitats to facilitate I hope this review will provide a better
maintenance of ecological processes. Goal 1.2 of understanding of ecological networks and as-
the programme of work specifi cally calls for in- sist protected-area managers and policy-makers
tegrating protected areas into broader land- and in governments, NGOs and communities to
seascapes and sectors to maintain the structural develop ecological networks when planning and
and functional viability of ecosystems. Specifi c implementing protected areas and to achieve the
activities of the programme of work refer to twin objectives of biodiversity conservation and
“linking habitats”, such as buffer zones around sustainable development.
protected areas (where human use is allowed to I thank the authors for undertaking such an
the extent that it does not undermine the integ- exhaustive review and presenting the informa-
rity of protected areas), biological corridors and tion clearly and succinctly. I am also grateful to
ecological stepping stones. the Government of Netherlands for providing
The concept of the ecological network fi nancial resources.
becomes important here. Ecological networks
provide an operational model for conserving Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf
biological diversity while reconciling the confl ict- Executive Secretary
ing demand of natural resource use. Ecological Convention on Biological Diversity
networks connect ecosystems and populations of
species that are threatened by fragmented habi-
tats, facilitating genetic exchange between differ-
ent populations and thus increasing the chances
of survival of threatened species. The ecological
network concept also provides a tool for ecologi-
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The preparation of this review benefi ted consider- National University and Julie McGuiness of
ably from contributions, information and com- the Wilderness Society Australia. Chary García
ments from a wide range of experts. The authors are Mora of TRAGSA provided the material on
especially grateful to the following collaborators: which the Guadiamar River Corridor case study
Marina Cracco of IUCN’s Regional Offi ce for was based. David Johns and Reed Noss of the
South America provided information on ecologi- Wildlands Project collated information on cur-
cal networks in South America, including drafts rent Wildlands projects and corresponded on
of the case studies on Bremen–Barbas–Cestillal several issues. The example of the Bow Valley
(together with Luis Miguel and Miguel Renjifo) corridor was based on work by Danah Duke of
and the Atlantic Forest Corridor (together with the Miistakis Institute for the Rockies, who also
Marcelo Mores). Marina also commented on commented on an earlier draft. Prof. Douglas J.
a draft of the chapter on Latin America and Levey of the Department of Zoology, University
the Caribbean. Rob Glastra of the Netherlands of Florida, supplied a paper on an experimental
Committee for IUCN assisted with the informa- corridor study of which he was co-author.
tion on which the example of the Vilcabamba– Prof. Kwi-Gon Kim of the Department of
Amboró Conservation Corridor was based. Landscape Architecture, Seoul National University,
General information on ecological networks in provided information on recent developments
Africa and drafts of the case studies on the Kazungula relating to ecological networks in South Korea. Aya
Heartlands Project and the Wildlife Conservation Inoue of the Ecosystem Conservation Society–Japan
Lease Programme were provided by Prof. Hillary summarized the Arakawa River Ecological Network
Masundireh of the Department of Biological project and government actions relating to ecologi-
Sciences, University of Botswana, and Chair of cal networks in Japan. Information on the establish-
IUCN’s Commission on Ecosystem Management. ment of corridors in Yunnan Province was provided
The example of elephant corridors in Uganda was by Bram Busstra of the Forest Conservation and
mostly drawn from a presentation by Atukunda Community Development Project. Wim Bergmans
Muhimbura of Environment Consultants Ltd. of the Netherlands Committee of IUCN collated
Information on TRIDOM was provided by Paul the information on which the case study on the
Scholte of the Netherlands Committee for IUCN Terai Arc Landscape was based.
and Allard Blom of WWF–US. Information on WWF’s worldwide ecore-
Prof. Kalev Sepp and Mart Külvik, both gion programmes was provided by Rolf Hogan
of the Estonian Institute of Environmental at WWF Headquarters and Holly Strand, Allard
Protection, assisted in preparing the case study Blom and Anita van Breda at WWF–US.
on the Estonian Green Network. Alexei Andreev Finally, we thank the Governments of
of the Biotica Ecological Society provided in- Australia, Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands,
formation on the National Ecological Network the European Commission, and the UNESCO-
of Moldova. Yuri Darman (WWF Russia, Far Man and Biosphere Programme, IUCN-the
Eastern Branch) and Alexander Shestakov and World Conservation Union, Conservation
Vladimir Krever (both of WWF Russia) cooper- International, and other individuals who re-
ated in the preparation of the examples on the sponded to the notifi cation from the Secretariat
Central European Forest-Steppe Ecoregion and of the Convention on Biological Diversity and
the Far East Ecoregion. provided comments on the draft.
Information on the Wild Country initiative
and the Gondwana Link project was provided Graham Bennett
by Brendan Mackay of the School of Resources, Jo Mulongoy
Environment and Society of the Australian
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones

CONTENTS
FOREWORD .......................................................................................................................................iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................iv

CONTENTS .........................................................................................................................................1
1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................3
SUBJECT AND SCOPE OF THE REVIEW ...........................................................................................3
Ecological Networks .........................................................................................................................................4
Corridors ...........................................................................................................................................................6
Buffer Zones ......................................................................................................................................................7
Other Issues .......................................................................................................................................................8
The Ecosystem Approach .................................................................................................................................8
Protected Areas and Ecological Networks .....................................................................................................10
STRUCTURE OF THE REVIEW .........................................................................................................10
2. CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE ..............................................................................................13
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMMES ...............................................................................................13
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................25
3. WESTERN EUROPE AND OTHER COUNTRIES ..........................................................................27
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMMES ...............................................................................................28
Western Europe ...............................................................................................................................................28
North America ................................................................................................................................................33
Australia ..........................................................................................................................................................36
Other International Programmes ..................................................................................................................37
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................43
4. ASIA AND THE PACIFIC .................................................................................................................45
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMMES ...............................................................................................45
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................56
5. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN .....................................................................................57
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMMES ...............................................................................................57
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................69
6. AFRICA ..............................................................................................................................................71
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMMES ...............................................................................................71
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................79
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones
7. MEETING THE CHALLENGE .........................................................................................................81
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRAMMES ....................................................................82
Shared Body of Conservation Goals ..............................................................................................................82
Wide Variation in Terminology ......................................................................................................................82
Wide Variation in Scale ...................................................................................................................................83
Ecological Networks Initiated by Both Governments and NGOs ................................................................83
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION .....................................................................................................83
Focus on Conditions Necessary for Long-Term Conservation ....................................................................84
The Key Biodiversity-Conservation Challenges for Ecological Networks ...................................................84
The Potential Added Value of Ecological Networks ......................................................................................85
Lessons To Date ...............................................................................................................................................86
SUSTAINABLE USE ..............................................................................................................................88
All Programmes Promote Sustainable Use ....................................................................................................88
Instruments and Methodologies to Promote Sustainable Use .....................................................................89
THE KEY SUSTAINABLE-USE CHALLENGES .................................................................................90
Management Resources and Integrative Approach .......................................................................................90
Need for Political Stability ..............................................................................................................................90
Involving Stakeholders ...................................................................................................................................91
POVERTY ALLEVIATION ...................................................................................................................91
Poverty Alleviation Challenges and Responses .............................................................................................91
Short-Term Versus Long-Term Priorities ......................................................................................................92
MEETING THE 2010 TARGET ............................................................................................................92
REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................................................94
AUTHORS .................................................................................................................................................97
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones
1.
INTRODUCTION
At their meeting in Kuala Lumpur in February Each goal is elaborated into a specifi c target
2004, the Seventh Conference of the Parties to to be used as a tangible indicator of the achieve-
the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted ment of that goal. A series of suggested activities
through decision VII/28 a detailed programme of of the Parties and supporting activities of the
work on protected areas. The overall purpose of Executive Secretary are then listed as steps to be
the programme of work is “to support the estab- taken in moving towards the target.
lishment and maintenance by 2010 for terrestrial Decision VII/28 also established a follow-up
and by 2012 for marine areas of comprehensive, mechanism in order to support and review the
effectively managed and ecologically representa- implementation of the programme of work,
tive national and regional systems of protected namely an Open-Ended Working Group on
areas that collectively, inter alia, through a global Protected Areas. One of the tasks of the Working
network, contribute to achieving the three objec- Group is to contribute to the further develop-
tives of the Convention and the 2010 target to ment of tool kits for the identifi cation, designa-
signifi cantly reduce the current rate of biodi- tion, management, monitoring and evaluation
versity loss at the global, regional, national and of national and regional systems of protected
sub-national levels and contribute to poverty areas, including ecological networks, ecological
reduction and the pursuit of sustainable devel- corridors and buffer zones. In order to develop
opment”. these tool kits in relation to goals 1.2 and 1.3, the
The fi rst of the four substantive programme CBD Secretariat identifi ed a need for a review of
elements in the programme of work concerns experience in developing ecological networks,
direct actions for planning, selecting, establish- corridors and buffer zones. This document con-
ing, strengthening and managing protected-area stitutes that review.
systems and sites — in other words, what pro-
tected areas need to conserve, where and how. SUBJECT AND SCOPE OF THE REVIEW
Five specifi c goals are established:
1.1 To establish and strengthen national The requirements for the review were, fi rst, to
and regional systems of protected areas prepare case studies illustrating experience in
integrated into a global network as a each of the fi ve UN regions on the development
contribution to globally agreed goals. of ecological networks, corridors and buffer zones
1.2 To integrate protected areas into broad- and, second, to draw conclusions on their suit-
er land- and seascapes and sectors so ability for biodiversity conservation, sustainable
as to maintain ecological structure and use and poverty alleviation, as appropriate, and
function. their contribution to the 2010 biodiversity target.
1.3 To establish and strengthen regional The scope of the review is therefore exceptionally
networks, transboundary protected broad: not only is it global in its coverage, it also
areas and collaboration between neigh- covers a wide range of conservation measures
bouring protected areas across national that range from a single ecoduct to interconti-
boundaries. nental, interconnected networks of protected
1.4 To substantially improve site-based areas. Of the thousands of programmes and
protected area planning and manage- projects that fall within the scope of the review,
ment. only a small proportion can be assessed in detail.
1.5 To prevent and mitigate the negative The conclusions are therefore based on both the
impacts of key threats to protected ar- experiences illustrated by the case studies and
eas. relevant literature.
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones
However, before discussing global experi- Although the way in which the model is
ence, it is necessary to clarify the concepts that elaborated and applied refl ects certain conceptu-
are the subject of the review: that is, ecological al and methodological variants and is subject to
networks, corridors and buffer zones. local and regional circumstances, the approaches
that are usually classifi ed as ecological networks
Ecological Networks share two generic goals, namely (1) maintaining
the functioning of ecosystems as a means of fa-
The ecological network is a model that has devel- cilitating the conservation of species and habitats
oped over the past 30 years with the broad aim and (2) promoting the sustainable use of natural
of maintaining the integrity of environmental resources in order to reduce the impacts of hu-
processes. In Central and Eastern Europe, sev- man activities on biodiversity and/or to increase
eral national ecological-network programmes the biodiversity value of managed landscapes
were developed in the 1980s inspired by the (Bennett and Wit, 2001).
polarized-landscape theory of the Russian ge- In achieving these goals, a number of ele-
ographer Boris Rodoman. Based on this theory, ments can be discerned which together charac-
the “eco-stabilizing” approach proposed that the terize all ecological networks. These are:
landscape should be zoned in such a way that • a focus on conserving biodiversity at the
intensively used areas are balanced by natural landscape, ecosystem or regional scale
zones that function as a coherent, self-regulat- • an emphasis on maintaining or strength-
ing whole. The resulting programmes not only ening ecological coherence, primarily
developed the fi rst ecological networks but also through providing for connectivity
integrated biodiversity conservation into broad • ensuring that critical areas are buffered
environmental management plans, approximat- from the effects of potentially damaging
ing what would now be described as national external activities
sustainable development strategies. • restoring degraded ecosystems where
In most other regions the ecological- network appropriate
model evolved out of developments in ecological • promoting the sustainable use of natu-
theory, primarily MacArthur and Wilson’s equi- ral resources in areas of importance to
librium theory of island biogeography and meta- biodiversity conservation
population theory. The most important insight
that followed from these theories was that habitat Ecological networks also share a common un-
fragmentation increases the vulnerability of spe- derstanding of how this model should be applied
cies populations by reducing the area of habitat on the ground, namely through the allocation of
available to local populations and limiting op- specifi c functions to different areas depending on
portunities for dispersal, migration and genetic their ecological value and their natural-resource
exchange. Interest therefore grew in developing potential (Bennett, 2004). These functions are
conservation approaches that promoted ecologi- refl ected in a coherent system of areal compo-
cal coherence at the landscape scale. During the nents:
1990s, local regional and national programmes • core areas, where the conservation of
that aimed to integrate protected areas into biodiversity takes primary importance,
more extensive linked networks were developed even if the area is not legally protected
in many countries in Western Europe, North • corridors, which serve to maintain vi-
America, Latin America, Australia and Asia. tal ecological or environmental connec-
tions by maintaining physical (though
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Review of Experience with Ecological Networks, Corridors and Buffer Zones
Figure 1.1.
Diagrammatic representation of the spatial confi guration of an ecological
network
not necessarily linear) linkages between One feature of ecological-network programmes
the core areas that can lead to some confusion is the variation
• buffer zones, which protect the net- in terminology. The term “ecological network”
work from potentially damaging exter- gained favour in Europe in the early 1990s and has
nal infl uences and which are essentially been used in the most important international
transitional areas characterized by com- mechanisms in recent years, including IUCN’s
patible land uses World Conservation Congresses, the World
• sustainable-use areas, where oppor- Summit on Sustainable Development’s Plan of
tunities are exploited within the land- Implementation and the CBD Conferences of
scape mozaic for the sustainable use of the Parties, including the programme of work on
natural resources together with mainte- protected areas. In regional and national settings,
nance of most ecosystem services however, different terms are used to describe the
model. These include “territorial system of eco-
A diagrammatic representation of this spatial ar- logical stability”, “reserve network”, “bioregional
rangement is shown in Figure 1.1. planning”, “ecoregion-based conservation”,
5
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