TOGETHER Local solutions for nature conservation Lessons from the Mediterranean THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN: TOGETHER FOR NATURE Stretching from Cape Verde to eastern Turkey, the Mediter- civil society, so local people and organisations can continue ranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot is identified as one of the to protect nature in the future. world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots – Earth’s most biologically rich, yet threatened, areas. But CEPF is more than just a funding provider for local conservation projects. Through our Regional Implementa- But this politically turbulent region is also special because of tion Team in the region, we have built up the smallest of civil its cultural diversity – necessitating a local approach to nature society organisations, and discovered surprising similarities conservation that benefits both people and biodiversity. and lessons when successfully connecting together even the most diverse cultures and countries. Imagine bee-eaters, cave salamanders, geckos, macaques, dragonflies, pelicans for a flavour of the faunal diversity the As well as celebrating five years of investment in the region, Mediterranean Basin harbours – many found only in the we are also sharing important learned lessons and best prac- region. Covering more than two million square kilometres, tices in conservation. This brochure aims to do both, and reveals this biodiversity hotspot is also ranked as the third-richest in some innovative project ideas to not only inspire future conser- the world in terms of its plant diversity. Yet rapid economic vationists in the region, but to link them up with the now-experi- development, an increasing human population, and 32% of enced grantees for working together in future projects. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, the world’s international tourists are creating unprecedented Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, pressures on its natural resources. Inside you will find incredible species, motivating stories, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the World Bank. complex threats, conservation successes and innovative Additional support in the Mediterranean Basin is provided by the MAVA Foundation. Nature is local. Impacts are felt locally. The Critical Ecosys- ideas. So embrace the cultural and biological diversity, con- tem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is tackling the threats to some nect, learn, continue to promote local conservation, and read A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. of the world’s most critical ecosystems by investing in local on to discover more. LIZ SMITH Regional Implementation Team Manager for the CEPF Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot This network is not just 93 civil society organisations supported by CEPF. It is also 93 organisations who work together more and more as a team to preserve the amazing biodiversity of this region. Despite facing a lot of difficulties today and in the future, civil society organisations are finding inspiration in the work of their fellow CEPF partners from other countries in the hotspot. PIERRE CARRET Grant Director CEPF 5 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE HOTSPOT HIGHLIGHTS $10.9 MILLION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN INVESTING IN CIVIL SOCIETY 7 new Protected Areas established so far 90% 6-7 143,680 hectares of Protected OF ORGANISATIONS LOCAL SKADAR LAKE Areas expected WITHIN THE MED Montenegro, Albania 12-13 LEGEND 11 $10.9 million invested in the region KARST CAVE SYSTEMS policies, laws or Bosnia & Herzegovina, 16-17 regulations created so far 93 organisations funded Mediterranean countries Montenegro, Albania with CEPF-granted conservation projects ADRIATIC 106 grants awarded COASTLINE DALMATIAN PELICAN Albania 1,495,139 Pelecanus crispus hectares of Key $2 million extra leveraged Examples Biodiversity Areas with by civil society for conservation of best practices VU strengthened protection 12 developing countries funded OLM - Proteus anguinus 7 Page numbers VU conservation networks TACKLING THREATS LOCAL COMMUNITIES created so far Nature-based tourism All figures are in United States dollars 146 communities $2,111,097 benefited so far 19% $3,513,829 32% OTHER SPECIES BENEFITED 18-19 $2,109,092 19% SANTA LUZIA, RASO & BRANCO Cape Verde $3,234,479 EN EN 30% 8-9 BARBARY MACAQUE WHITE-HEADED DUCK KURIAT Macaca sylvanus Oxyura leucocephala ISLANDS CONSERVING AND STRENGTHENING Tunisia PROTECTING KEY SITES CIVIL SOCIETY CAPE VERDE SHEARWATER Calonectris edwardsii 14-15 EN EN MINIMISING THE MANAGING NEGATIVE EFFECTS FRESHWATER NT EHMEJ, OF COASTAL CATCHMENTS SARADA & BASKINTA 10-11 MED. MONK SEAL EGYPTIAN VULTURE DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABLY Lebanon Monachus monachus Neophron percnopterus WADI MUJIB LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE RESERVE IUCN RED LIST SCALE Caretta caretta Jordan CR CR EN EX CR EN ALGERIAN FIR NORTHERN BALD IBIS SOFAR IRIS Abies numidica Geronticus eremita Iris sofarana EXTINCT CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ENDANGERED EN NUBIAN IBEX Capra nubiana VU CR VU NT LC VU VULNERABLE NEAR LEAST LEBANESE CEDAR RASO LARK THREATENED CONCERN Cedrus libani Alauda razae 4 7 LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR NATURE CONSERVATION LESSONS FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN PELICAN PROBLEMS SEASONAL FLOODING Natural nesting sites for Dalmatian Pelican on The first generation of rafts was made mainly of Skadar Lake are mainly reed and peat islands that wood (3-4 year lifespan); the latest generation will are prone to flooding during spring storms – this be built from polypropylene pontoons (30 years is a major problem for the nesting success of such with limited maintenance). a small colony. The pelicans had no problem adjusting to the new plat- The project team created four manmade buoyant nesting forms. In large waves, the pelicans are hesitant to sit on the rafts, which, unlike terrestrial nests, are able to rise and fall bobbing rafts, but still nesting success is better than a terres- with the changing water level. trial nest which would be flooded at that time. HUMAN DISTURBANCE MANAGEMENT “Motivating people to protect a species is the most have been involved in discussions and a unanimous important task,” says Bjanka Prakljačić. “We humans decision was made to respect a 300 m no-approach are the ultimate problem solvers, so call on humans zone between December and July when pelicans when you have a problem.” are nesting. Zonation by anchoring of floating buoys was established. PROTECTING THE GENTLE GIANTS OF THE WETLANDS Several measures have been used to manage the dis- turbance of Dalmatian Pelican on Skadar Lake. The most Pelican hotline: violations are reported immediately, in Using nesting rafts and video monitoring to conserve bird breeding colonies important is remote video surveillance. Cameras have been response to which the national park authority sends out a installed on the nest rafts, powered by solar panels mounted ranger and a patrol boat. on the rafts. Videos and screen-shots from the colony are “With a wingspan of almost three metres and weighing over 10 kg, you can imagine that then sent via a GSM signal to a distant computer, avoiding the Pelican Day and Pelican Villages: the project is also devel- it would be like a small person standing next to you. Just without a voice for his rights.” need for long cables leading to the colony. Another impor- oping ecotourism on and around the lake, with information Bjanka Prakljačić tant factor in mitigating disturbance of the pelican’s colony centres, non-invasive boat tours and observation points. is control of the intentional and unintentional access to the Fishermen, who disturb the birds and compete for fish, can colony by local communities. Local stakeholders (fishermen, gain a financial benefit from the pelicans that will compen- national park rangers, policemen, tourist boat operators, etc.) sate for any loss of fishing income. OVERVIEW WHERE Skadar Lake, on the border Even one of the world’s largest birds is not immune from of Montenegro and Albania, Europe natural and human impacts on wetlands. Despite their size, Dalmatian Pelican are easily affected by human disturbance, NESTING SUCCESS A RECORD HIGH SINCE 1977 persecution, seasonal flooding and wetland changes, mean- ing they are listed by BirdLife International as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Skadar Lake harbours an important nesting colony that 2013 2015 has suffered an 80% population decrease since the 1970s. PROJECT STARTED 40 CHICKS FLEDGED This is an especially pressing conservation issue because the species is an ecological indicator for the health of the lake, KEY SPECIES an emblem of Skadar Lake National Park; and this work a Dalmatian Pelican 2014 2016 “flagship” example of wetland conservation. Pelecanus crispus (Vulnerable) A RECORD NUMBER OF 48 40 CHICKS FLEDGED. PELICAN CHICKS FLEDGED NUMBER OF DISTURBANCE A conservation project has utilised the power of participa- INCIDENTS CAN BE COUNTED tory planning to successfully protect the Dalmatian Pelican ON ONE HAND from threats and increase the colony’s population in Mon- tenegro, through a set of good management practices that have involved all local stakeholders. FUTURE The colony of “gentle giants” now nests on purpose-built "THE PEOPLE OF SKADAR LAKE SEE THE THRIVING DALMATIAN PELICANS rafts which are video-monitored 24 hours a day so threats AS THEIR NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS." can be responded to immediately. Community outreach PROJECT PARTNERS Bjanka Prakljačić, Noé