Biodiversity in Africa's Protected Areas declining fast PDF Print E-mail

The status of Biodiversity is progressively declining in Africa's protected areas according to BirdLife International.  This was unveiled during a side event today hosted by BirdLife International during the on gong SBSTTA meeting attended by Government delegates from all over the world.  The side event shared results from an on going monitoring project of protected areas in 117 sites in seven African countries implemented by BirdLife International and RSPB and funded by the European Commission.

The state of biodiversity in protected areas monitored under this project is declining with sites with poor state increasing from 43% in 2001 to 57% in 2008.  At the same time there has been a general trend of threats facing the protected areas increasing within the same time frame.  “The results of our monitoring indicate that the pressures on biodiversity have been increasing falling far short of the target to reduce biodiversity loss”. Said Dr. Muhtari Aminu Kano, BirdLife International’s Global Policy and Advocacy Advisor.

 

BirdLife developed a simple easy to use framework using State – Pressure – Response Model and uses this framework for monitoring of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) 46% of which are protected areas in Africa.  The data from the monitoring has been used to develop indicators to show trends over time in terms of state-pressure and response within IBAs at all scales.  These indicators form important components of the suite of indicator suitable to track biodiversity, progress towards the 2010 biodiversity target and sustainable development.

 

“The results also show that if proper management responses are put in place its possible to improve the state of biodiversity and reduce pressures.  This was well demonstrated through the sites monitored in Botswana (Central Kalahari Game reserve, Okavango Delta and Mannyelanong) where comprehensive and effective management of existing management plans have been instituted.”  Said Mr. Achilles Byaruhanga, Executive Director, Nature Uganda (BirdLife in Uganda)

 

BirdLife is working in 22 countries in Africa in over 1,200 IBAs almost half of which are protected areas.  While all countries have increased efforts to conserve biodiversity a lot more requires to be done.  Its important for policies to be implemented and alternative livelihoods be provided for to reduce pressures facing protected areas to ensure that governments start moving towards meeting their biodiversity target under the CBD.

 

“BirdLife’s monitoring tool is a useful tool and can be used by Governments to identify threats, assess their impacts and that of conservation action while at the same time helping to develop solutions”  Said Dr. Julius Arinaitwe, BirdLife Africa Partnership Director.  “BirdLife supports a post 2010 commitment by Governments (2020 target) that urges for urgent action to halt biodiversity loss; to reduce pressure on biodiversity, prevent extinctions, restore ecosystems while equitably sharing the benefits, thus contributing to human well being and poverty reduction”  Dr. Arinaitwe concluded.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 May 2010 )
 
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Some Facts about the Wattled Crane

Name: Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus)

Range:  Endemic resident, in 2 areas: Ethiopia, and central and southern Africa. In Ethiopia, usually only 1-3 individuals seen at a time but sometimes in flocks; population size unknown and no information since 1975. In Central and southern Africa locally abundant to rare, but declining, endangered or recently extinct in some areas.

Description: Easily distuigished from sympatric cranes by huge size and white neck, but at distance beware superficial resemblance to Wholly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus), which also has dark cap, white neck and dark wings and body. At closer range, Wattled Crane easily identified by grey wings, red face and throat wattles.

General Habitats: Inhabits very large open areas including wet grasslands, open marshes and river edges, usually above 2000m or below 1000m in non-breeding season.

Breeding Habits: Monogamous; each pair defends a territory c. 1km. sq. Pairs may not breed annually. In courtship bird sometimes spread wings, runs a little way, then jumps several metres straight up with wings spread and head held up and legs bent and dangling.

 

For more details: The Birds of Africa, Vol. II (Emil K. Urban; C. Hilary Fry & Stuart Keith; 1986). Copies of this book available in the resource center at NatureUganda offices, Kampala