Unique Migratory Bird Project Boosts Wetland Sites for Endangered Species and Water Birds Across Large Parts of Asia. Photo: UNEP
Bali, Indonesia, 24 February 2010, UNEP.- The future of the iconic Siberian Crane, Grus leucogeranus, a critically endangered species, is looking brighter thanks to an international effort by China, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia, four countries along the bird's dramatic migratory routes.
The conservation project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the International Crane Foundation through the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), is the first of its kind to use a 'flyway' approach to stabilize and to sustain the remaining 3,000-3,500 Siberian Cranes and millions of other migratory waterbirds. A flyway is a flight path used in annual bird migration from breeding grounds to non-breeding areas, which often span continents and oceans.
This partnership has also played a catalytic role in boosting the conservation and rehabilitation of wetlands covering some 7 million hectares -ecosystems of high environmental and economic importance.
Every year the Siberian Crane, one of the word's most endangered birds, migrates up to 5,000 kilometres from its breeding grounds in northern Siberia, along two migration routes to wintering sites in southern China and Iran.
During these immense journeys, the cranes cross some of the highest mountains on Earth, as well as some of the harshest deserts. However, in recent years, the draining of critical wetlands, where the birds normally take respite on route, as well as hunting, have threatened the survival of the cranes and other migratory waterbirds.
The story of this unique 10 year-project along two main flyways in Eastern and Western Eurasia is told in the book Safe Flyways for the Siberian Crane which was launched today at UNEP's 11th Special Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Forum in Bali, Indonesia.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "The Siberian Crane Wetland Project underlines how conservation of biodiversity and human concerns go hand in hand: a key point to underline in the UN's International Year of Biodiversity."
"The Siberian Cranes need the wetlands to rest and to feed. But communities and countries need wetlands too. Not only are they important suppliers and purifiers of drinking water and productive fisheries, but they play a significant role in flood defence and combating climate change. Indeed, by some estimates wetlands may be storing between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of all land-based carbon," he added.
Monique Barbut, Chief Executive Officer of the GEF, said: "Some 60 per cent of wetlands worldwide - and up to 90 per cent in Europe - have been destroyed in the past 100 years, principally due to drainage for agriculture but also through pollution, dams, canals, groundwater pumping, urban development and peat extraction."
"Thus this project has been a cost-effective investment in both people and wildlife - securing the future of this iconic bird but also assisting to secure the future health and well-being of hundreds of thousands if not millions of people," she added.
The project
The race to conserve the wetlands and this rarest of birds-the Siberian Crane -came as its numbers plummeted. Despite decades of conservation efforts, seven of the world's fifteen crane species were threatened with extinction by the 1970s.
Similar trends appeared among the ducks, geese, swans and other waterbird groups. Globally, 40 per cent of known waterbird populations are declining, and in Asia the statistics have risen to 59 per cent.
While the causes of the declines are diverse and vary among species, population growth, hunting and escalating demands on limited water supplies, have contributed to the loss and degradation of wetland habitats on which waterbirds, like the crane, depend.
The Siberian Crane Wetland Project which arose out of concern for the widespread loss of wetlands, is an unique example of how concerted action in four countries supported by regional efforts, has resulted in safeguarding a network of 16 critical wetlands over two flyways.
The project chose the Siberian Crane as a flagship species for inspiring action to safeguard all migratory birds. Launched a decade ago, with US$10.3 million in GEF financing, the SWCP emphasized public awareness and working with governments and local communities to protect key wetlands across Eurasia - to date over 7 million hectares, a landmass equivalent to Ireland or 3.5 times the area of Israel.
The project has been successful on many fronts. It not only strengthened the 16 critical wetlands across Eurasia for the waterbirds but has also assured improved water supplies for millions of people living in this region.
The project has also achieved the following:
* Water management planning, wetland restoration and related hydrological monitoring and research in China and Kazakhstan;
* A "flyway" environmental education programme covering 120 sites in nine countries that integrates subjects on wetlands and waterbird conservation through crane celebrations and the development of national school curricula;
* Development of "Practical Advice for Reducing Avian Influenza Risks at Wetlands of Importance to Waterbirds", benefiting both human health and bird conservation;
* Improved knowledge of monitoring programmes and knowledge of migratory waterbird distribution which help to identify and respond to emerging threats;
* Secured key wetland sites through international recognition and improved national protection;
* Improved recognition of the benefits of engaging stakeholders and local communities which have shifted towards constructive engagement and conflict resolution;
* Increased ecological awareness and giving stronger support for conservation, especially among schools and youth;
More specifically, at wetland sites in each of the four countries where there are flyways, project managers report significant collaboration and achievements.
These include:
China has pioneered approaches on resolving water distribution and wetland conservation. In northeastern China on the Songnen Plain livestock wetland grazing impacts were mitigated through community development programmes to help local herdsmen better manage the grazing of their animals on the wetlands.
A network of forestry protection stations have been developed in 15 counties around Poyang Lake Basin in southern China, significantly enhancing waterbird protection. Midwinter counts have been conducted across 68 sub-lakes of the Poyang Lake Basin over six consecutive years, this combined with regional water studies, providing a sound scientific base for management decisions.
Iran has supported alternative methods of governance of wetland reserves through community involvement; microcredit schemes have been set up with several bird-trapper associations in Iran and integrated pest management pilots were run in the Fereydoon Kenar Non-Shooting Area in an effort to reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides, protecting the health of both humans and birds.
Kazakhstan has expanded and established nature reserves and used public communications to raise awareness and engage stakeholders. A highly effective environmental education programme was implemented, and local communities benefited from sustainable livelihood training and development of community-based organizations on subjects ranging from water management and biodiversity conservation to care of disabled children.
Russia has created effective ecological monitoring programs and piloted innovative ways for providing local support for federal nature reserves.
The project has dramatically strengthened the network of wetlands for the waterbirds and the local communities who depend on these wetlands. Globally, 34 per cent of waterbird populations are stable and 17 percent are increasing. In Asia, 27 per cent are stable and 10 per cent are increasing.
The fate of the birds and the wetlands depends on increased protection and effective management of water resources. While captive breeding and release back into the wild is now being pursued, the survival rate will still depend on wetland management and safe flyways.
While the project has been largely successful on the Eastern Flyway, which is used by most of the Siberian Cranes and spans Russian and China, more attention will be given to the Western Flyway that covers Russia, Kazakhstan and Iran where hunting and wetland drainage continues to endanger the birds.
An agreement with the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS), which has been signed by 11 range states, is ensuring that follow-up work on protecting the Siberian Cranes and all migratory waterbirds along both flyways will continue into the future.
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