Partners for Partners for Biodiversity Biodiversity Protection in the Protection in the CaucasusCaucasus

WWF Norway & WWF Caucasus

The Biological importance of CaucasusThe Biological importance of Caucasus

• 6,500 species of vascular plants, - 25% endemic

• 632 species of vertebrates, - 59 endemic

• 20% of the region is covered by forest ecosystems, incl. relict forests

Among the 30 most important biological hotspots worldwide (CI)

Caucasus has unique relict forests- forests that survived the ice age

Need of Economic Development

UNDP Human Development Report 2005 (177 countries)

• Human Development Index

- Armenia Rank 83- Azerbaijan Rank 101- Georgia Rank 100

• GDP per capita

- Armenia Rank 111- Azerbaijan Rank 113- Georgia Rank 121

Economic Development : Challenges & Prospects

Ecological Water Reserve or Deficit Withdrawals (%)

Armenia - 0.5 28%Azerbaijan - 0.5 57%Georgia + 0.5 6%Iran - 1.6 53%Russian Fed. + 2.5 2%Turkey - 0.7 18%

Need for cooperation / environmental securityNeed for cooperation / environmental security

Our countries are committed to saving Earth’s biodiversity:

• UN Millennium target 7• UN Convention on Biodiversity• UN-ECE Kiev Declaration on Biodiversity• Halting the Loss of Biodiversity by 2010

Why?

Protection and sustainable use of ecosystems is the basis for long term development, prosperity and security

(UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005)

Ecoregional Ecoregional Conservation PlanConservation Plan

• Integration of ecological and socio-economical aspects

• Conservation across borders

• A guiding document for medium-term targets

• National governments, NGOs and donors

• CBD implementation tool

Enabling Conditions

Forests

Freshwater

Species

• Raise public awareness• Establish Mtirala national park

• Improve Iori river management • Protect Caucasian Leopard

• Support Caucasus Biodiversity Council• Assist local NGOs• Strengthen protected areas management• Promote cross-border cooperation

• Rehabilitate communal infrastructure

• Protect and restore threatened Iori tugai forest

• Establish regional monitoring network ECP

Contributions of the Norwegian Government Contributions of the Norwegian Government to the Ecoregional Conservation Planto the Ecoregional Conservation Plan

ECP

Caucasus Biodiversity CouncilCaucasus Biodiversity Council

Regional Monitoring Network Regional Monitoring Network

• Evaluate the actual status of biodiversityin the Caucasus region

• Provide possibility to improve the Ecoregional Conservation Plan according to up-coming needs and priorities

Inception workshop, 6-7 December, 2005

Establishing Mtirala National ParkEstablishing Mtirala National Park

Restore and Protect Iori Floodplain ForestRestore and Protect Iori Floodplain Forest

Contributing to Saving the Caucasian LeopardContributing to Saving the Caucasian Leopard

• Regional Conservation Strategy

• Protecting key habitats

Protected Areas and Community Development Protected Areas and Community Development Programme in Southern ArmeniaProgramme in Southern Armenia

Arevik SPNAAssistance to establishment

Zangezur SPNAAssistance to establishment

Arpi SPNAAssistance to establishment

Shikahogh ReserveUpgrading basic infrastructure

Khosrov ReserveDevelopment of tourist

program and infrastructure

Protected Areas DevelopmentProtected Areas Development

Arevik SPNA areaAldara, Shvanidzor and Nrnadzor communities

Zangezur SPNA areaKadjaran community

Arpi SPNA areaShatin community

Shikahogh Reserve areaShikahogh and Tsav

communities

Community DevelopmentCommunity Development

Partners for Partners for Biodiversity Biodiversity Protection in the Protection in the CaucasusCaucasus