Application of the decision VI/12 of the COP 6 Case study on the implementation of the ecosystem approach The area forest charter of Luberon Regional Nature Park (France) February 2003 The area forest charter of the Luberon Regional Nature Park In 1998 the Conference of the Parties at the Convention on Biological Diversity defined the ecosystem approach as "a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way" (Decision V/6 of the CBD). This approach, containing detailed principles and operational guidances, was intended to serve as an integrated concept for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In fact it was criticised for being a theoretical concept that could not be implemented. So the Conference of the Parties decided to re-examine the concept with the help of case studies, provided by the Parties and evaluated by the SBSTTA (Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice). This document demonstrates a practical example of the use of the ecosystem approach in a French forest: the application of the new Forest Charter, created by the latest Forest Law (July, 2001), in the Lubéron area. This Law introduces new practices into French forest policies. It favours a multipurpose approach to forest management and aims to improve the dialogue between foresters and the society. Several methods are suggested, with emphasis on a more holistic approach to managed ecosystems, on participation, negotiation and contracts, and decentralised decision- making. Here the conservation of biological diversity is closely associated with the implementation of sustainable forest management. All these changes, giving more responsibility at each level, should lead to a better understanding of biodiversity at the different spatial scales, and also of the wishes of all those involved in the forest. This example of area forest charters is relevant as a case study because it illustrates two main aspects of the implementation of an ecosystem approach: (i) the integration of a forestry approach into a wider territorial approach, and (ii) the different levels and facets of the participation and consultation. Luberon, chosen for its original approach, is a very rich area, on both cultural and biological levels. A long-existing human influence has moulded and still moulds the landscapes that visitors like so much. Here the management and protection of biodiversity involves a reconciliation between environmental and socio-economic issues: how can we preserve the biological and landscape diversity created by ancient practices while land use is changing. The Luberon Regional Nature Park, supported by the Maß Reserve, took up this challenge. In 2001 the Luberon Regional Nature Park decided to volunteer to test the new area forest charter. 1 I. Luberon: introduction (See Figure 1: Location of Luberon) Luberon is influenced by two climatic types (Alpine and Mediterranean), and has a contrasted relief (plains, gorges, plateaus, cliffs…) and a diversified river system (intermittent Mediterranean rivers). All these factors give rise to a wide diversity of microclimates and habitats. Past agricultural and industrial practices have created a mosaic of habitats and landscapes. Using all of the available space, including the forest, agricultural practices combined subsistence crops with grazing. The ochre industry opened areas with characteristic bright colours (quarries, mining zones). The forest was mainly managed to produce firewood (oak coppice) and more recently and locally to protect soils (pine and cedar plantations). Today Luberon is mainly an agricultural area with diversified and more intensive practices (fruit, vegetables, vines, sheep, lavender) which use less space. The abandonment of agricultural land has radically changed the landscape: widespread land closure and new vegetation dynamics. Due to its attractive climate, landscapes and its proximity to Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, in the Mediterranean hinterland, urban and touristic pressures are increasing in Luberon. The Park and its activities in favour of a sustainable development of this area increase the attractiveness of Luberon and favour property speculation. Inset n°1: The threat to the environmental and What is a Regional Nature Park? cultural richness of this area, by the The status of Regional Nature Park (RNP) is given abandonment of agricultural land, lead to by State and promotes a global approach to an area the foundation of the Luberon Regional and sustainable development, based on partnership, Nature Park in 1977, which includes 69 consultation and contracts. A park is built around three mainstays: townships and 155 000 inhabitants today, within an area of 165 000 ha, from *an area: it shelters a rich natural and cultural heritage, but the fragile balance between the two is Cavaillon (Vaucluse) to Villeneuve (Alpes threatened. All the partners negotiate its borders de Haute Provence), on both sides of the and its final outline is determined by the ratification Luberon Mountains (1125 metres high at of the charter by the townships concerned. the Mourre Nègre). [See Inset 1: What is a *aproject: this is intended to ensure rational Regional Nature Park?].ThePark was protection, management and development in the given the status of Biosphere Reserve in parklands. It is implemented by a mutual th organisation representing all the local 1997 (the 9 in France). [See Inset 2: What administrations involved (regions, departments and is a Biosphere Reserve? ] townships), completed by a contract with State. Renewed in 1997, the Park Charter *acharter:itisthe contract that confirms the institutes the freely negotiated preservation and development project of the park. It establishes the objectives for the park, the actions responsibilities of all Charter signatories needed to achieve them and the measures required (Regional Council of Provence-Alpes- to implement these actions. The charter is assessed Côte-d'Azur, Council of the Vaucluse and revised every ten years. Department, Council of the Alpes-de- The original aspect of the RNP is that they have no Haute-Provence Department, the 69 restrictive power over the townships or inhabitants: townships and State). the parks can only use consultation, participation and contracts to achieve their aims. 2 The charter defines the following mandates for the RNP: *toprotect the natural and cultural heritage, through an adapted management of natural areas and landscapes; * to contribute to land use planning; * to contribute to the economic and social development and to the quality of life, * to carry out experimental or exemplary actions and to contribute to research programmes. These mandates generate several objectives: *tomaintain large natural areas and to Inset n°2: conserve the biological diversity by What is a Biosphere Reserve? management rather than integral UNESCO gives the status "Biosphere Reserve" in protection, and to meet the social demand the framework of its Man and Biosphere for "nature"; programme. This programme aims to increase *tosupport agriculture in its traditional knowledge about the relationships between man and his environment, in order to develop tools for production role and to promote its sustainable economic and social development. The secondary functions, which are important designated areas remain under the jurisdiction of for the preservation of the environment and the country where they are located. In some ways the quality of life: the upkeep of open- they act as "living laboratories" to test and spaces, the prevention of natural hazards, demonstrate integrated land, water and biodiversity management. and the preservation of cultural heritage etc; Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil three basic functions, which are complementary and *touse the quality of the environment as mutually reinforcing: (i) conservation (landscapes, an asset for the economy and tourism; ecosystems, species and genetic pools), (ii) development -( human and economic, *topromote the environmental quality in socioculturally and ecologically sustainable), (iii) each development or project and to make logistic (support for research, monitoring, education people, and particularly young people, and diffusion of information). aware of this issue; Biosphere reserves are organised into three interrelated zones, known a: the core area, the *toconsolidate the identity of the Lubéron buffer zone and the transition zone; only the core area; area requires legal protection. A number of biosphere reserves simultaneously encompass areas *toaccompany social change: the demand protected under other systems (such as national for a more urban way of life by rural parks or nature reserves) and other internationally populations, and the need of new recognised sites (such as World Heritage or inhabitants to learn about the area and take RAMSAR wetland sites). part in local activities in order to become integrated into the community. To fulfil these objectives, the charter defines three zones with different objectives (See Figure 2: Landuse in Luberon area): 3 *the nature and silence zone: the uninhabited area of the Luberon and Vaucluse mountains . This is the natural zone in the park; in which a holistic management, including different uses (agriculture, forest, outdoor activities…), is developed for sustainable development. People are dissuaded from using motor vehicles here; urbanisation plans prevent new constructions and the