Measuring progress in nature conservation
against the CBD and PEBLDS
Management plan for steppe ecosystem in Ramsar
Site "Lower Dniester"
With ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),
Moldova took some responsibilities in the field of conserving
and restoring biological diversity. As an instrument of CBD
implementation, PEBLDS also requires indicated that all countries
should elaborate Action Plans in the field of Biodiversity
Conservation. In Moldova the Strategy and the Action Plan
for the Conservation of Biological Diversity (SAPCBD)
was approved by the Parliament on 27 April 2001.
To implement provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity,
and under the requirements for Sustainable Country Development,
the SAPCBD in Moldova focuses among other main objectives
also on the assessment of the existing situation and specifics
of biological diversity as a fundamental value of the Republic
of Moldova and its protection and the improvement of the system
for management of activities in the area of biological diversity
conservation. One goal of the Action Plan is rational use
of biological diversity.
In order to help the country to reach these objectives and
to promote rational use of biological conservation BIOTICA
decided to research biological diversity's state and assess
existing situation in the region of Lower Dniester within
the limits of Moldova, as is indicated in the Action Plan
on the protection of steppe ecosystems (for example -
Improve the norms on steppe ecosystems regulation (grazing,
hay-making, medical plants collection etc.); Highlight the
surfaces with typical meadow vegetation and elaborate projects
on the creation of new areas protected by state; Inventory
of the spontaneous biodiversity of steppe ecosystems and elaboration
of recommendations on biodiversity conservation) and Action
plan on the protection of agricultural ecosystems biodiversity
(Analyze the status of agricultural ecosystems and elaborate
recommendations to increase the capacity of environment stabilization.).
As basis for activities in the framework of the project Endangered
Snakes Conservation and Steppe Habitat Restoration in the
Ramsar Site "Lower Dniester" financed by Frankfurt
Zoological Society, Frankfurt were following documents:
- Decision of COP7 VII/3 Agricultural biological diversity
invites Parties to support the efforts of local and indigenous
communities in conserving agricultural biodiversity
- Decision of COP7 VII/12 Sustainable Use invites Parties
in collaboration with …local communities and stakeholders
to undertake researches in elaboration of management plans
appropriate to the life history of species or population and
also methods and mechanisms to determine sustainability of
various intensities of use and participatory methods for determining
appropriate levels of sustainable use.
- Article 8.b of CBD, stipulates that each Party should
develop guidelines for management of protected areas or areas
where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological
diversity, and
- Article 10.d of CBD stipulates that each Party should
support local populations to develop and implement remedial
action in degraded areas where biological diversity has been
reduced.
That is why BIOTICA had studied many management plans of
protected areas in order to elaborate management plan for
the planned first national park in Moldova, including as a
part of it also management plan for steppe ecosystems. At
the elaboration of management plan, the authors took into
account the Addis
Ababa Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable use of
Biodiversity(especially principles 5, 9, 11, 12)
and IUCN Guidelines for compiling management plans for
protected areas.
During these activities BIOTICA specialists conducted research
of biodiversity elements in project region, on the basis of
discovering, systematization, management and generalization
of the obtained information and elaboration of special protection
measures to be included in the Management Plan for correspondent
areas.
In the same time local population also was involved, as well
as local public authorities as is stipulated in art. 10 of
CBD that promotes encouraging cooperation among local public
authorities and private sector in development methods for
sustainable use of biological resources. Three interested
private organizations received grants to create steppe reserves
(genetic micro-reserves) on public lands and public authorities
allocated land for creating seed refuges through decisions
of Councils of Popeasca, Talmaza and Rascaeti communities
and took responsibility to preserve and to use these sectors
in a sustainable way. Another activity regarding Public awareness
and involvement measures was preparation and edition of a
prospect (or brief brochure on snakes and steppes) to ensure
friendly attitude of rural youth and population in general
to snakes and its habitats.
Due to the fact that Parliament failed to approve the decision
on creation of National Park till the deadlines imposed by
World Bank Plan for steppe ecosystems was adapted to be addressed
to environmental ministry and local authorities whose competence
includes biodiversity-related management.
At the elaboration of this management plan also local communities
and local authorities participated that were consulted agreed
with its provisions. The Academy of Science and Ministry of
Ecology and Natural Resources gave a good reference to it
and recommended to local authorities to use it in the managing
of steppe lands
Project results may have a multiplicative effect; elaborated
management plan may be recommended as model one; that will
be discussed at Collegium of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural
Resources of Moldova. Increased experience of BIOTICA ES in
environmental management planning may be used to develop regulations
for some kinds of Protected Areas (PAs) of Moldova as it is
stipulated by model by-laws but not done yet; that activity
should be connected with PAs, which are assessed or may be
assessed as high level core areas of the National Ecological
Network (NEN) of Moldova. Currently BIOTICA owns the unique
experience in Moldova with respect to management planning
and zoning for PAs with multiple uses and BIOTICA is known
national leader in the field of ecological networks being
author of NEN Concept; creation of NEN is the only biodiversity
issue that is nominated as priority in Moldova - European
Union Action Plan adopted in 2005. This position may be used
exercising political focus to increase conservational capacities
of PAs and PEEN core areas on the territory of Moldova.
