Donor
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
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German partner
Institut für Biodiversität (IBN)
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Project target
The aim of the project is to build Carpathian Biodiversity Information System, design the Western Carpathian Ecological Network on a regional scale, as a complement to the ecological network, which is under preparation in Ukrainian, Romanian and Serbian part of the Carpathians and to elaborate a strategic action plan outlining the future process of its implementation. This will contribute to the strengthening of the protection of the areas with internationally (regionally) as well as nationally important species and biotopes through coherent method for data collection and processing, through mobilization of the experts to gather missing data (on species, biotopes), through processing of the gathered and already existing data into the common Biodiversity Information System of the Western Carpathians. These activities support implementation of the Carpathian Convention in the region. They contribute to strengthening of the capacities of the Carpathian Ecoregion Initiative.
Project background
The idea of ecological network sensu lato emerged in different parts of Europe long time ago (e.g. Lithuania and Estonia in the 70´s, the former Czechoslovakia was one of the first countries where the idea of ecological network was integrated into the conservation policy). It was not until 1995 (3rd Ministerial conference in Sofia) when up to 54 European countries endorsed the action to establish the Pan-European Ecological Network as a part of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy. A part of the task set was to establish this ecological network within 20 years. In the Carpathian scope the task is udnerlined in the Article 4.5 of the Carpathian Convention stating, that the parties shall cooperate in developing an ecological network in the Carpathians, as a constituent part of the Pan-European Ecological Network.
CERI long term objective is to provide a Carpathian-wide network to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development within the framework of Carpathian Convention. CERI´s vision is to to achieve the long term conservation of the unique nature of the globally important Carpathian Mountains, while supporting its economy and culture for the lasting benefit of people through international partnership. CERI promotes international cooperation and supports the support and coordination of activities relevant for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of the Carpathian region. CERI´s goal, as stated in the CERI´s development strategy is to lead the design and development of a robust ecological framework for a Living Carpathians and supported and inspired its implementation in all seven Carpathian Countries. Building bricks of the strategic plan how to achieve this goal are the activities leading to the design of the regional – Carpathian ecological network, following consistent approach in all seven Carpathian countries, being EU as well as non-EU countries.
In April 2006 CERI started up to implement the project “Development of a Carpathian Ecological Network” of Wageningen International, financed by BBI-Matra. By means of member organisations of the CERI and cooperating organisations (Orbicon, Daphne, Alterra, ECNC, Interim Secretariat of Carpathian Convention, WWF-DCP) biodiversity and socio-economic data collection is realized on the territories of the three Eastern Carpathian countries – Ukraine, Romania and Serbia so as to build up joint Carpathian Biodiversity Information System as a basic precondition to work out a concept for a Carpathian Ecological Network. Because the new Action Plan BBI-Matra 2005-2008 focuses on the pre-accession countries and EU neighbouring states, only the programme aiming to design Carpathian Ecological Network in the 3 above mentioned countries can be realized.
The Western Carpathians are an outstanding area within the Carpathian arch, which is along with the Alpine one, the most projecting mountain system in Europe. They represent one of the most significant natural refuges of the continent with rich biodiversity, considerable range of forests, meadows, diverse scale of wetlands and a number or further interesting biotopes. WWF included the Carpathians within “Global 200” worldwide list of ecoregions noted for exceptional levels of biodiversity. Twenty three Western Carpathian biotopes, 13 animal and 12 plant species are priority in terms of European Community. Carpathian Ecoregion Initiative (CERI) identified 61 key species for CERI here, covering mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (The Status of the Carpathians, 2001).
The aim of several international treaties and conventions (Habitats and Birds Directives of EC, the Alpine Convention, the Carpathian Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity, Ramsar Convention etc.) is to make the process of protection and sustainable use of bio- and landscape - diversity more effective. An effective protection or conservation stems from sufficient knowledge and understanding of current status of biodiversity, the processes, which threaten or even jeopardize it as well as the manners how the biological diversity is used.
The area of the Western Carpathians stretches through the territories of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary, which predestines common action and policy to solve the problems. The CERI´s attitude towards the protection of this area is based on cooperation and participation, large scale action range and common vision. This approach is in full accordance with the concept of ecological networks, the aim of which is to provide a planning framework for sustainable development and biodiversity protection within the core areas, containing important ecosystems, habitats, landscapes and/or species populations through their mutual interconnection by corridors, but also beyond them as well.
Project concept
1. Assess availability and reliability of data on biological and geo- aspects, maps and databases storing biodiversity data and of availability and reliability
The aim of the activity is to identify recent, already published or in another way accessible sources of data on the occurrence of the defined plant and animal species and habitats in the project countries, information on geographical aspects. It also comprises assessment of availability of maps and databases storing these biodiversity data.
2. Refine the borders of the planning units
The scope of the work on the proposal for the Carpathian ecological network is regional. For this reason it is important to select appropriate mapping units. Based on the CERI´s experience from previous work in the Carpathians the most appropriate system of planning units applicable on the territory of all Carpathian countries are orographical units. Country GIS/IT experts will be responsible for delivering on this activity.
Orographic units are the tools to delimit the project area in the project countries. The orographical units sensu Kondracki (1978) will be used as a starting point, because it is the only available division covering the whole region. The area is divided into eight large units (sub-provinces). These are delineated on the grounds of general geological, relief, hydro-graphical and bio-geographical characteristics. Sub-provinces are divided into smaller units – orographical units (mesoregions) [for more details consult Witkowski, Król & Solarz (eds.) 2003: Carpathian list of endangered species].
Only the units representing mountains will be included (lowlands and plains will be excluded). The target of the first step is to have the map of orographical units of the project area with the scale 1:200 000. Under refinement of the boundaries/borders of orographical units we understand correction of the geometry of polygons or creation of new ones if needed.
3. Prepare national lists of plant species, animal species and habitats
Prior to start up of the data collection in the project countries it is indispensable to prepare the country lists of plant and animal species and habitats, in the process of preparation of proposal for ecological network also called “conservation features”. The country lists of the three types of conservation features will be prepared based on the regional/endemic (Carpathian) elements as well as Habitat Directive lists. This secures the link of the regional natural values with the natural values on EU level.
Plants:
Carpathian endemic plants
Annex II (Habitat Directive) plant species
Animals:
Focal animal species
Annex II animal species (Habitat Directive )
Habitats (the Braun-Blanquet nomenclature used for the purpose of the project): alliances representing Carpathian habitats where relevant linked to Annex I habitats (Habitat Directive)
4. Prepare the database and logistic for collection of GIS data (workflow)
CERI GIS/IT expert will prepare database files (MS Access) for the four country teams. The country experts will fill in the blank databases. There will separate plant species database, animal species database and habitats database. These databases will already comprise the country lists of conservation features as well as the lists of the orographic units.
5. Collect the data on distribution of plant species, animal species and habitats according to the national lists, process the data into the databes and GIS layers
Within this activity the country teams of experts (expert in plants, animals and habitats) will gather the information on the distribution of the species in the project area. For each conservation feature an information “present-absent” in the planning unit (= orographic unit) will be collected and entered into the databe. For priority species and habitats at least one georeferenced information will be required (coordinates, polygons etc.). This precise data will be passed to the national GIS/IT expert, who will prepare GIS layers for each priority conservation feature.
6. Prepare GIS layers for distributional data of priority conservation features
The national GIS/IT experts will be delivered the georeferenced (precise) data on the occurrence of the priority conservation features (coordinates, polygons, etc.) gathered by biodiversity experts. Their task is to prepare GIS layers.
7. Select key species and habitats and set a target for conservation for each of them
The panel of country experts will select the key species and habitats for which conservation targets will be set and consequently they will be used for identification of elements of ecological network.
8. Identify elements of ecological network
To identify elements of ecological network a softwares CLUZ and Marxan will be used. The ouput of the analysis based on this software is a conservation planning system for the territory visualizing core areas and opportunities for the corridors.
The data which will be used for the analysis are those collected in the steps 5 and 6. Apart from that further information will be added: Lancover data (these will enable to precise information on distribution of some conservation features), Corine biotopes (although the data are very fragmented), the national data which are in the Topic Centres, Paris and we have them at disposal, EEA data, Copenhagen (when relevant) accessible on internet.
9. Discuss the design of ecological network with local experts and stakeholders and incorporate the comments into the system
It is important to discuss the output of the computer analyses, being a map, which suggests the conservation planning system for the analysed territory with local experts and stakeholders. It is expected, that country experts will bring on the table substantial comments, which will contribute to the improvememt of the planning system designed by the computer. For this reason, country workshops will be organized.
10. Elaborate strategic action plan outlining the steps how to bring the proposal for ecological network into life
The document of a strategic action plan presenting the descriptions of core areas, analysis of the obstacles and threats for establishment of an ecological network and a strategy how to face them and thus to support the implementation of the ecological network will be elaborated. The draft will undergo commenting process within the CERI network, which will secure regional – Carpathian scope of the document. It will be further promoted on international level through CERI´s international and policy activities linked to the Carpathian Convention and regional nature conservancy.
11. Publication on the Carpathian biodiversity
A publication comprising the outputs of the project linked to the biodiversity will be prepared. It will inform on Carpathian biodiversity, comment on the distribution and rarity of particular species and habitats in the countries, groups of species and habitats. Such collective work is still missing and the need of it is felt mostly on international level. For this purpose, only an Eglish version will be prepared (which, if needed in future can be translated into national languages). Overall number of copies 1000, number of pages – 100, format A4.
12. Public relation
CERI Secretariat will be in charge of managing reputation and of building goodwill on behalf of all the project parties, both externally and internally.
