Title: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION OF FOREST AND AGRICULTURAL GERMOPLASM WITHIN THE REGIONAL FOREST PUBLIC PROPERTY IN SICILY (ITALY)

Authors: Saporito, Luciano

Thema: 1. Forests and biodiversity
Subtheme: 1.4 Contribution of biodiversity

Abstract of the paper: In Sicily floristic richness is quite remarkable, with more than 2700 specific and intraspecific taxa. About 400 taxa are endemic and many of them are at risk of extinction. The Regional Forest Service (ARFD), that administrates approximately 180.000 hectares of regional forest property, carries out a valuable action of indirect conservation of such biodiversity. Through the incorporation to the public ownership of large forest areas, a true in situ conservation has been pursued, especially concerning several priority taxa included in the Regional Red List, such as Abies nebrodensis and Zelkova sicula. Actions have been accomplished by the ARFD itself and by research centres, through funding by the EU. The concerned areas fall within the Ecologic Sicilian Network sites and the C.I.S. (Community Importance Sites) and Z.S.P (Zones of Special Protection) of the European Ecologic Network “Natura 2000”. The main initiatives concern i) investigations and ii) implementation of conservation actions. Investigation included different aspects: 1) evaluation of the Sicilian forest germplasm variability, with special focus on the most important forest species, the endemisms and the relics (in total 8 conifers and 18 broadleaves); 2) multiplication of germplasm of forest and agricultural species, in order to optimize the nursery production; 3) identification, evaluation, collection and multiplication of germplasm of typical fruit tree species of traditional Sicilian agro-systems; this action resulted in the enumeration of over 423 accessions of species at risk of extinction. An active ex situ conservation was performed by increasing and reorganizing the germplasm banks of Universities and Research centers, and by realizing two new Germplasm Centers of the ARFD. The ARFD’s Centres are provided with laboratories, equipments for seeds and vegetal material processing and conservation, and filling and seeding lines. Besides conservation sensu strictu, such an action is aimed at dispersing the acquired knowledge. Moreover, ARFD promoted the establishment of a “Sicilian Network of Germplasm Bank for ex situ conservation of wild flora”, with a complete data base of all species of interest.

Email: lsaporito@regione.sicilia.it

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Title: Biodiversity and forest management certification

Authors: Karmann, Marion; Droste, Hans-Joachim

Thema: 2. Producing for development
Subtheme: 2.1 Forest management and dynamics

Abstract of the paper: Growing environmental awareness and consumer demand for more environmentally and socially responsible businesses helped third-party forest management certification emerge in the 1990s as a tool for assessing the environmental and social performance of forest operations. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit membership-based organization which develops standards to ensure that timber and other forest products are coming from responsibly managed forests. FSC’s international and nationally adapted standards are widely accepted among a broad cross-section of stakeholders as being consistent with the principles of good forest stewardship and sustainability. The FSC logo is a powerful incentive for forest managers and decision maker to improve their forest management continuously. In conducting forest audits, FSC-accredited certification companies do not certify that a forest management unit has ‘achieved sustainability’, nor do they require or imply the implementation of uniform sets of forest management prescriptions: they certify that FSC-approved standards of forest management have been met. Although biodiversity impact indicators are only in the process of being implemented in the certification audits, some of FSC’s principles and criteria are directly referring to biodiversity issues. FSC accredited certification bodies are visiting each certified forest management unit at least every year to check that the requirements of the standards are fully respected. Failures are described in the certification reports as conditions or “Corrective Action Required” (CAR). These CARs have to be healed within a certain timeframe. Major failures in any individual Principle will normally disqualify a candidate from certification, or will lead to decertification. There is not much systematical research done on the effects and impacts of certification of forest management on biodiversity. But some papers and certification reports with a focus on biodiversity of flora and fauna from different countries worldwide do show positive changes of forest management due to certification and requirements of the CARs. Based on findings from literature research, case studies and analysis of certification reports from Malaysia, Guatemala and European countries, the paper shows where positive effects on biodiversity can be related to corrective actions required by certification. Additionally the biodiversity impact indicators will be presented for discussion.

Email: m.karmann@fsc.org, hj.droste@fsc.org

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Title: Biodiversity assessment in tropical forests

Authors: Harrison, Rhett; Potts, Matthew; Fletcher, Christine; Kassim, Abdul Rahman

Thema: 1. Forests and biodiversity
Subtheme: 1.1 State of the forests and assessment techniques

Abstract of the paper: Tropical forests contain over half the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. However, only a small fraction will ever be set aside as totally protected areas. Therefore, successful tropical conservation strategies will largely depend on the management of biodiversity in production landscapes. Biodiversity assessments are a critical component of management strategies. If conducted properly, they provide managers with information on the distribution of biodiversity in the landscape and a set of criteria and indicators that can be used to monitor conservation goals. The current trend towards relying solely on designations of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) is flawed, because their dependence on rare species means that assessments are qualitative and overly subjective. Here we proposal a biodiversity assessment protocol for tropical forested landscapes that is objective, quantitatively informative, and practical. The assessment is divided into two phases; (1) an initial landscape scale survey aimed at identifying the principle habitat (ß diversity) gradients and their distribution, and (2) local (coupe-level) sampling / measurement aimed at setting baseline data against which sustainability criteria may be measured. Sampling is plot / transect based and either regular or stratified by a priori determined topographic / substrate gradients. Selection of taxa is aimed at devising a minimum complementary set that responds to disturbance across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Assessments are based on species-level determinations and, therefore, the specific selection will depend on the availability of identification tools and local expertise. Analyses focus on estimates of ß diversity (dissimilarity among samples), with random sampling to determine statistical significance. The strengths of this protocol are in the focus on (1) complementarity across taxa and avoidance of (often invalid) assumptions about indicator-species or groups, (2) the turn-over in species assemblages, rather than just species richness or other measures of a diversity, and (3) different spatial and temporal scales of variation.

Email: rhett_d_harrison@yahoo.co.uk, matthewdpotts@gmail.com, cdfletch@frim.gov.my, rahmank@frim.gov.my

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Title: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN COMMUNITIES HANDS SUCCESSIFUL BENEFIT SHARING MECHANISM Experience of Jozani Conservation Area – Zanzibar, Tanzania

Authors: Kombo, Yussuf

Thema: 7. People and forests in harmony
Subtheme: 7.3 Participatory management and processes

Abstract of the paper: The conservation strategy of biodiversity in Zanzibar – Tanzania, has for many years been concentrating on the conservation of the two major which were considered important for preserving the history, culture and biodiversity. This move has left many other forests less protected and therefore over exploited. The Forest Legislation was revised in 1996 to be in line with the forest policy and Rio Convention. The Act also recognizes the role of community biodiversity conservation. The Conservation and management of indigenous species, which are rare and endemic, were also emphasized by the national environmental policy and the Biodiversity Conservation Strategies. Both insist on community empowerment and participation, improved legal and policy framework for biodiversity conservation and increase financial resources available for biodiversity conservation. For the purpose of smooth implementation of both policies, Legislations and Rio convention guides, The Jozani Conservation Area (JCA) picked as pilot areas for community based biodiversity conservation. JCA has global Ecological and conservation values. In light of addressing conservation issues in and around JCA, the Department of forest - Zanzibar and CARE –Tanzania through by then the Jozani and Chwaka Bay Conservation Project, collaborated with the local community since 1995 to develop and implement strategies that lead to sustaining the resource base, biodiversity and improving livelihood of the communities. The community involvement had the following key areas i) Village Conservation Committees (VCC) ii) Local Management Agreements iii) Revenue Sharing iv) Community Projects and Income Generation Activities (IGA). The benefit sharing was introduced because communities used to suffer the problem of crop raiding as a result of habituated Red Colobus monkeys in their crop land. The revenue sharing mechanisms works efficiently and thus the conflict is at minimum. Community has been sensitised to community projects that include Mangroves Board Walk, Hand crafting, gift shop and Beekeeping. The system is robust and acceptable to community, however, there are challenges to be advocated so that to have strong way forward for the long-term sustainability. The system should also realise the efforts to improve community livelihoods so as to be able to offset overexploitation. This paper intend to share the Jozani mechanism with other conservationists, who are facing difficulties in revenue sharing, community involvement, and involvement of tourism in biodiversity conservation

Email: yhkombo@yahoo.com

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Title: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST - INTEGRAL PROTECTION OR SUSTAINABLE USE?

Authors: Eliana, Cardoso-Leite; Fátima Conceição M., Piña-Rodrigues; Maria Inez, Pagani; Diego S., Podadera; Juliana Cristina, Peres

Thema: 1. Forests and biodiversity
Subtheme: 1.6 Wildlife associated with forests

Abstract of the paper: The Ribeira Valley in São Paulo State is the region with the largest remnant of Brazilian Atlantic Forest. In five centuries of occupation the original area of this ecosystem has been reduced to 7%. The rate of endemism and the number of threatened species is very high in Atlantic Forest. The Brazilian Protected Areas suffer problems of degradation of ecosystems and reduction of size. In the region the relationship between Protected Areas and traditional human communities was always contentious. The Jacupiranga State Park had 150,000 hectares, with the process of category change it was transformed into three States Parks and other areas of sustainable use. In the southwestern portion of the Jacupiranga State Park, were created the Cave of Devil State Park, and the Environmental Protection Area of the Quilombos of Middle Ribeira. This study aimed to analyze the species richness of the forest area and the presence of rare, threatened or endemic species, providing subsidies for the management actions. The survey of tree species was conducted using the method of plots. Were installed 20 plots of 20x20 meters, totaling 8000m2. We sampled individuals with DBH wood or greater to 15 cm of which was collected botanical material. Was used to identify the classification system of APG (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group) II. We sampled 1,054 individuals, 43 families and 161 species. The families with the greatest number of species were: Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Meliaceae and Melastomataceae. The species with the greatest number of individuals were Euterpe edulis, Guapira opposita, Casearia obliqua, Bathysa australis, Campomanesia guaviroba, Dahlstedtia pentaphylla, Cabralea canjerana, Anadenanthera colubrina and Psychotria suterella. Euterpe edulis, Gomidesia flagellaris and Marlieria suaveolens are cited in the literature as vulnerable to extinction. Approximately 4% of all samples of E. edulis, was taken illegally during the sampling. The high richness of species and the presence of endangered species should be considered in the management plan of the State Park and the Area of Environmental Protection. Would require a management plan for each species object of extraction, as the case of palm (E. edulis) because there is a risk of a locally extinct species, not reaching it so sustainable use in the Area of Protection Environmental, nor the conservation of biodiversity in the State Park. (Financial Aid - FAPESP).

Email: eliana.leite@ufscar.br, fpina@ufscar.br, mipagai@rc.unesp.br, podadera@gmail.com, juperes@gmail.com

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Title: Biodiversity Conservation through a Community-based Enterprise Approach in Nepal

Authors: Pandey, Shiva Shankar; Gyawali, Sushil; Subedi, Bhishma P.

Thema: 6. Organizing forest development
Subtheme: 6.6 Contribution of the forest sector to national and local economies

Abstract of the paper: In Nepal, the conservation of forest biodiversity is only possible if local communities have a clear understanding of its benefits and if their conservation initiatives have an economic return at the local level. Rural communities need to participate in forest management because of their high dependency on forest resources (more than 80% of the total population) and the limited options available for their subsistence livelihoods. This is especially critical due to the rapid population growth and the proliferation of subsistence economies which together are threatening the globally significant and fragile ecosystems of the country. In order to address the issues, Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) pioneered an enterprise-oriented, community-based, biodiversity conservation program in Nepal Himalaya. The program promoted local capacity building and empowerment, long-term sustainability, and effective coordination, and implementation of project activities, particularly during conflict and security situations. The objectives of this program included the improvement of the resource management skills of local communities; integration of villager’s subsistence and commercial needs with biodiversity conservation; formation of private public alliance to pilot forest certification; assessment of policy reforms; and implementation of economic interventions. By 2007, 186 community groups had brought 86,584 hectare of degraded forests and meadows under improved community management. This provided ecosystem services such as the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of carbon sequestration. Annual monetary benefits of US $5.71 million were realized by 66,201 people through enterprise development, forest certification, and improved marketing. The certification process helped to increase incentives to the local communities through the sale of certified products to international buyers. The results indicated that when communities have clear tenure rights, resource management expertise, and the technical assistance to shift away from low-value resource destructive activities, they will work towards conserving biodiversity. This learning has huge potential for replication in Nepal if initial support is able to facilitate a departure from traditional practices. There are possibilities in Nepal and other developing countries to promote enterprise-oriented conservation practices that will help to maintain biodiversity and strengthen the economy of the rural people.

Email: shivapandey@ansab.org, -, -

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Title: Biodiversity erosion in a neotropical inselberg rainforest : the effect of climate change ?

Authors: Fonty, Emile; Sarthou, Corinne; Larpin, Denis; Ponge, Jean-Francois

Thema: 3. Forests in the service of people
Subtheme: 3.2 Forests and climate change

Abstract of the paper: Questions How tropical rainforests respond to global climatic change at their natural fringes, i.e. in the absence of human influences? Tropical inselbergs may help to find clues to unsolved problems such as spatial shifts or biodiversity erosion in the frame of climate change. Study site and Methods Our study was conducted in the Nouragues Natural Reserve (4°5’N, 52°41’W) in the rainforest of French Guiana (South America). The Nouragues ‘inselberg’ (from the German ‘insel’ = island and ‘berg’ = mountain) is a granitic dome, culminating at 410 m. A scientific research station was created in this area in 1987. Three transect lines were established in April 1995, on summit and slopes of the inselberg. All transects crossed the inselberg low-tree rainforest. They started in the scrub vegetation on bare rock (rock savanna), their length varying from 54 to 89 m in order that each of them stemmed in the first steps of the tall-tree rainforest. On each adjacent quadrat (2 x 1m), vegetation was identified at species level, percentage cover was estimated for herb species and diameter and height were measured for shrub and woody species. In April 2005, these transects were sampled again and soil depth was measured. The 10-year census interval embraced a severe El Niño event in summer 1997. Results - The boundary between rock-savanna and low forest is governed by soil depth, it can be described as an ecocline sensu Van der Maarel (1991) - We observed a small (1-2 m) although significant encroachment of the low forest community upon rock savanna within 10 years - A loss of species richness was revealed, both at local (quadrat, transect) and regional scale (inselberg). Both ecosystems suffered of this loss, but juveniles of woody species, in particular of rare species, were more affected. Conclusion The most probable cause of the observed 10-year loss of biodiversity is global warming, which severely affected northern South America during the last 50 years (+2°C), with a concomitant increase in the occurrence of aridity. If verified, this hypothesis confirms that threats to biodiversity due to global warming itself should add to those stemming from fragmentation and shrinkage of tropical forested areas. (Original paper accepted for publication in 2009 in the Journal : ‘Global Change Biology’).

Email: emile.fonty@free.fr, sarthou@mnhn.fr, larpin@mnhn.fr, ponge@mnhn.fr

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Title: Biodiversity informatics for Forest Conservation

Authors: Yadav, Neelesh

Thema: 1. Forests and biodiversity
Subtheme: 1.4 Contribution of biodiversity

Abstract of the paper: Researchers, land managers, and the public currently often are unable to obtain useful biodiversity information of forests because the subject represents such a large component of biology, ecology, forestry and systems to compile and organize this information do not exist. Information on vascular plant taxonomy, trees information, ecosystem database etc. are the key factors of forest biodiversity. The biodiversity informatics will lead to conserve the forests because it will provide the all kind of information via digital and electronic medium to the common people and create an understanding of climate change and global warming, so its importance is must for adoption at all research level. The forest ecosystem covers biggest amount of biodiversity, so the development of biodiversity informatics is the need of time. Biodiversity Informatics is the application of informatics to recorded and yet-to-be discovered information specifically about biodiversity, and the linking of this information with genomic, geospatial and other biological and non-biological datasets. In 2001 Berendsohn wrote that Biodiversity Informatics is the application of information technology (IT) tools and approaches to biodiversity information, principally at the organismic level. It thus deals with information capture, storage provision, retrieval, and analysis, focused on individual organisms, populations, and species, and their interactions. It covers information generated by the fields of systematics, evolutionary biology, population biology, and ecology, as well as more applied fields such as conservation biology , forestry and ecological management. Various kind of software database and tool may be developed to create knowledge like species information, geo referenced datasets of forest cover and all natural history museums collections which comes from forests. All these information will create a sense of understanding among children and common people for the forest conservation. The use of Information and communication technology will provide one platform for the forest biodiversity conservation. The Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (India) is working for biodiversity informatics for forest conservation

Email: neeleshy@yahoo.com

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Title: Biodiversity Measures in Tasmanias production forests:Are they effective?

Authors: Munks, Sarah A; Koch, Amelia.J.; Duncan, Fred; Chuter, Anne; Richards, Karen

Thema: 1. Forests and biodiversity
Subtheme: 1.5 Management for the conservation of forests

Abstract of the paper: Off-reserve management to assist the conservation of forest biodiversity is required under Tasmania’s forest regulatory system which applies to both public and private land. Management principles include maintaining connectivity, landscape heterogeneity and stand complexity. This risk-spreading approach includes adopting strategies at different spatial and temporal scales. In production forests, these principles may be achieved by retaining areas of mature forest and by altering the spatial and temporal patterns of harvest. Monitoring is also essential to determine whether the measures being implemented are achieving their objective and to facilitate adaptive management. Using Tasmania’s production forests as a case study, we review the results of several small-scale studies that explore the implementation and effectiveness of off-reserve conservation measures for biodiversity. Results of the implementation monitoring were variable and highlighted the importance of good communication and training for forest planners and on-ground managers. The effectiveness monitoring studies evaluated the usefulness of retained areas of mature forest (strips, patches and individual trees) in maintaining some biodiversity elements. The results indicate that strips retained throughout a forest block (approx 10 000ha) can assist in maintaining forest structure and composition in areas managed for wood production, at least in the short-term. The long-term benefits are less certain, particularly for mature forest specialists, since edge effects and wind-throw persist for many decades, resulting in incremental reduction of old-growth habitat. Small patches of unlogged forest retained within the harvest area support some of the fauna species assessed. There was some evidence, however, that the value of such retained habitat increases as the surrounding harvested area regenerates. Retention of larger patches of mature forest may be required in areas where regeneration rates are slow. Overall, the results indicate that effective biodiversity conservation measures in production forests require a combination of measures that capture habitat for multiple species, and more specific measures to cater for species with particular needs

Email: sarah.munks@fpa.tas.gov.au, amy.koch@fpa.tas.gov.au, fred.duncan@fpa.tas.gov.au, anne.chuter@fpa.tas.gov.au, karen.richards@fpa.tas.gov.au

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Title: Biodiversity of English yew (Taxus baccata L.) populations in Austria

Authors: Dhar, Amalesh; Ruprecht, Herwig; Aigner, Bernhard; Oitzinger, Gerald; Klumpp, Raphael; Vacik, Harald

Thema: 1. Forests and biodiversity
Subtheme: 1.5 Management for the conservation of forests

Abstract of the paper: English yew (Taxus baccata L.) is a native evergreen, dioecious, conifer tree species in temperate forest. Human interventions and changes of the land-use system by modern technologies changed the structure and species composition of the temperate forests in Europe. The Yew populations are negatively affected by this process and decreased from most of their ranges. At present it has cataloged as an endangered tree species throughout the globe. The aim of this research was to characterize 7 yew populations from different geographic locations in Austria in order to study their biodiversity with respect to stand and genetic structure as well as develop a conservation management plan. The stand structure of yew forests was illustrated with regards to different tree attributes (tree height, diameter at breast height, crown length, damages, vitality etc.) and the genetic variation was described by using isozyme gene marker. The Population Viability Risk Management (PVRM) framework was used to develop proper conservation and management actions by analyzing the current ecological and environmental condition. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as part of the Population Viability Risk Management (PVRM) framework was used to evaluate different conservation strategies for selecting an appropriate management strategy with regards to the viability of yew. It was found that Austrian yew populations have shortcomings in certain regeneration classes although most of the forests showed abundant number of one-year seedlings. Considering the tree vitality of the adult yews the results indicate that the vitality is influenced by the inter-specific competition of the neighbouring trees. The yews with the lowest vitality are indicating the smallest mean distance and highest tree height differentiation to its neighbours. For the analysis of the genetic structure 9 isozyme gene loci were investigated. English yew showed a high level of genetic variation (He = 0.274 and Ho=0.238) with a medium level of inbreeding (0.130). The overall most significant risk factors for the viability of the population are browsing, tree competition, light availability, illegal cutting, and less people awareness. The PVRM framework allowed to evaluate six conservation strategies through a qualitative assessment of the probability for a decrease of the yew population along with four different environmental scenarios. In this context a management strategy combining selective thinning, protective measures, wild life management and public relation activities seems to be the most appropriate conservation activity for yew populations in Austria.

Email: amaleshdhar@gmail.com, amaleshdhar@gmail.com, amaleshdhar@gmail.com, amaleshdhar@gmail.com, amaleshdhar@gmail.com, amaleshdhar@gmail.com

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