Donor
Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
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International Programme Implementation Organisation
Wageningen International
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Project Description
The development of an ecological network in the Carpathians as a constituent part of the Pan-European Ecological Network is one of the most important objectives of the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians. .
The BBI/Matra project supports the implementation of the Carpathian Convention by producing a Carpathian Biodiversity Information System as a base for the development of an Ecological Network for the Carpathians and by strengthening the capacities of the NGO network in the Carpathians..
The project results include:
1 Increased understanding of the NGOs in the Ukraine, Romania and Serbia and Montenegro in particular on the principles and techniques of ecological network development and implementation of relevant Directives and agreements. (Natura 2000, Emerald, PEEN)
2 A joint Carpathian Biodiversity Information System (GIS, database structure, data storage, set up criteria for adding data and methodology)
3 Concept for a Carpathian Ecological Network based on an analysis of existing protected areas, (p)SCIs and SPAs and other priority areas linked trough a network of ecological corridors for a number of flagship species and taking into account the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives, the CBD and the PEEN.
4 Strengthened organisational structure and capacities of the CERI to support the implementation of the Carpathian Convention and to design implement and monitor sustainable development in the Carpathians.
The most tangible output of the proposed project will be the Carpathian Biodiversity Information System (CBIS) as an indispensable tool for the development of the ecological network and the sustainable development of the Carpathians. The CBIS will be based on existing biodiversity data in Carpathian countries. The structure of fields in the data base will be restricted to minimal necessary content including: names of species or habitats, date, location and source of data. The CBIS will not replace any national, regional or other special biodiversity databases. Base line social economic and spatial data from national and/or international sources (CORINE Landcover, DTM, satellite images, etc.) will be added to support the design of a sustainable ecological network. The focus of data gathering and data base establishment will be on the three non EU countries of the Carpathians; Ukraine, Romania and Serbia and Montenegro.
A clearing house mechanism will be developed to facilitate scientific and technical cooperation both nationally and internationally. Full access to information will be available to organisations which will significantly contribute to the CBIS, including the CERI members and governmental organisations responsible for nature conservation.
The project is implemented by the Foundation DLO/ Wageningen International with the Carpathian EcoRegion Initiative (CERI) acting as Local Project Implementation Organisation. The Carpathian Eco-Region Initiative (CERI) is a non-governmental, non profit, politically independent organization founded in the Slovak republic and licensed to operate as an international organization. The seat of the organization is hosted by DAPHNE - Institute of Applied Ecology, Bratislava in Slovakia. The WWF Danube-Carpathian Program, Daphne, Orbicon and ECNC are project partners.
Apart from Local Project Management Organisation CERI is also an important beneficiary of the project. The project aims to strengthen the organization though training and supporting the elaboration of a long term strategy for the organisation. The members of the CERI network will be introduced to the principles of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive in order to support coherence of the data gathering and storage with these important EU Directives. This counts in particular, but also the NGOs and governments of Serbia and Ukraine have shown a key interest in harmonizing their conservation activities with the EU Directives. Additional trainings will be provided on the promotion of sustainable forestry and tourism.
The project implementation started on 1 April 2006 and will run until 1 April 2009.
Project activities
Workpackage 2: Establishment of a joint Carpathian Biodiversity Information System as a base for the development of an ecological network
• Assess existing data bases in the Carpathian countries
• Assess availability and reliability of biodiversity and geographical data in the Carpathian countries with focus on the three target countries.
• Assess capacities and capabilities of the focal CERI members in the three target countries to set up and manage databases and geographical information systems
• Improve the capacities and capabilities of the focal CERI members in the target countries to set up and manage the data base (hard ware, soft ware, training)
• Set up and agree on the criteria for compatible and harmonised data bases and information systems
• Decide on the information (priority habitats, key species) to be processed into the data bases.
• Agree on a structure for the biodiversity information system including the priority habitat types and species
Workpackage 3: Development of a design for the Carpathian Ecological Network
• Gather and process information (boundaries, Land use, data on habitat types and species) of existing protected areas (local, regional national) pSCIs, SPAs, Ramsar sites, etc) into the Carpathian Biological information System
• Analyse the juridical status of the protected areas.
• Collation of data and incorporation into database
Identify flagship species to evaluate the connectivity of the provisional ecological network
• Design provisional ecological network
Workpackage 4: CERI – Strengthening the organisational structure and capacities of the CERI to support the implementation of the Carpathian Convention and to support and monitor sustainable development of the Carpathians
• Identify threats and obstacles for sustainable development of the Carpathian Ecoregion
• Elaborate draft study of threats and obstacles
• Organise workshop to comment and finalise study
• Elaborate a strategy and action plan for the CERI to address these threats and to support sustainable development
• Elaborate draft strategy and action plan
• Organise workshop to comment and finalise strategy and action plan
Elaborate a communication strategy for the CERI to ensure effective external communication
• Elaborate draft strategy
• Discuss, finalise and approve strategy at the General Assembly
