WWF's Global Conservation Programme
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WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 Compiled, edited and designed by: Tim Davis DJEnvironmental Berrynarbor Devon EX34 9TB UK Picture research: Tim Davis and the WWF-Canon Photolibrary Printed by: Toptown Printers Ltd, Barnstaple, Devon, UK Cover photos: Main photo: Wing feathers of a Cuban parrot, Los Indios Ecological Reserve, Cuba (WWF-Canon/Michel Roggo) Top: Atlantic rainforest in Itatiaia National Park, Brazil (WWF-Canon/Michel Gunther) Bottom: Coral reef (WWF/UNEP/TOPHAM/Ezequiel Bece) Back: A freshwater pool at the heart of the Chihuahua Desert, Mexico (WWF-Canon/Edward Parker) Inset: Bayel tribes-people pole mokoros along the channels in the Okavango Delta, Botswana (WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey) Published in October 2001 by WWF–World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), Gland, Switzerland. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright holder. No photographs from this publication may be reproduced on the World Wide Web without prior authorization from WWF. The material and the geographical designations in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WWF concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. © text 2001 WWF contents Introduction . ii WWF’s Global Conservation Priorities . 1 Forests . 7 Freshwater . 19 The view from here — birdwatchers atop a dune in the Chihuahua Desert, Mexico, a Oceans and Coasts. 29 WWF Global 200 Ecoregion. WWF-Canon/Edward Parker Species. 39 Climate Change . 49 Toxic Chemicals . 55 Financial overview. 60 WWF around the world . 61 i introduction Julian Huxley, Max Nicholson, Guy Mountfort and others. No doubt WWF has not achieved all the successes they may have hoped for, but by following Peter Scott’s maxim for perseverance, the organization has nonetheless contributed significantly to some impressive achievements over the years. Huxley and his colleagues launched what they hortly before publication of this report, called ‘a New Ark’ based on four pillars: WWF celebrated the 40th Anniversary of its founding on 11 September 1961. Four n to preserve before it is too late as much as Sdecades on, WWF has become one of possible of what survives of this natural most respected names in environmental heritage conservation, with an impressive record of success. n to feed the hungry in spirit and the But what does ‘success’ really mean in undernourished in mind and to hand down our conservation terms? natural world intact In September 2000, we produced the third Living Planet Report, a review of the state of the n to learn more about the environment, and world and the human impact upon it. T h e additional data and refined analysis presented in n to gauge and promote any potential economic the report confirms the fact that our planet has lost gain from conservation. approximately one-third of its natural wealth in the last 30 years — during three-quarters of These were indeed far-reaching ideals which W W F ’s life. still influence the organization today. Some of the Conservation is a high-risk business. Not every earliest work focused on species conservation, biome or habitat, or species of animal or plant we using powerful icons such as African rhinos to deal with can be saved, and often the degree of mobilize public support to fight the environmental urgency has to be assessed to decide where to declines that Huxley and his colleagues were place scarce resources and effort in the face of witnessing. WWF has not saved as many species sometimes insurmountable obstacles. And just as we would have wished, and the past 40 years when everything seems to be going in the right has sadly seen many extinctions. However, there direction, events beyond one’s control can are a few notable animals that now have a much suddenly change and put everything at risk again. brighter future as a result of WWF’s support and This sounds fairly disheartening, and sometimes work with partner organizations: it is. However, one of WW F ’ s founders, the late Sir Peter Scott once wrote: "W e shan’t save all we n African rhinos. There are now more rhinos in would like to, but we shall save a great deal more the wild in Africa than at any time since the than if we had never tried". This dogged spirit lives early 1980s — just over 13,000 in 1999, up on within the 3,700 staff that WWF now employs from 8,300 in 1992. around the world — people who are used to a life where two steps forward can often be followed by n Mountain gorillas. Despite war in Rwanda and one or even two frustrating steps backwards. the pressures of shifting refugee populations, I would like to think that the present-day WWF recent reports show numbers of mountain matches the vision of those great names who, gorillas have increased by more than 10 per cent, along with Peter Scott, laid our foundations — Sir growing from 320 to 355 individuals in the wild. ii WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 n Siberian tigers. In the 1930s, Siberian tigers not enough. Over the past decade WWF has were almost extinct; now there are just under established and now supports the work of the 500. Still an endangered species, the major Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to oversee the threats to them are loss of habitat and poaching independent certification of wood and wood for use in traditional Asian medicines. products that come from well-managed forests. To date more than 200 forests covering at least 20 n Iberian lynx. Now found only in fragmented million ha in 35 countries have been habitat in Spain and Portugal, this is the world’s independently certified under the FSC scheme most endangered cat species. In 1995, WWF and and more than 20,000 products worldwide carry partner organizations in 17 European countries the FSC label. In addition, the Global Forest and launched a Large Carnivore Initiative to secure Trade Network, coordinated by W W F, brings the survival of the brown bear, Eurasian and together some 700 companies, including B&Q, Iberian lynx, wolf, and wolverine. Th e I K E A and Home Depot, committed to producing in i t i a t i v e ’ s action plans have been approved by and purchasing forest products from well- the Council of Europe and the Bern Convention. managed forests and to supporting independent certification. These members range from forest n Golden lion tamarin. This is one of the best- owners and timber processors to architects and known forest conservation efforts in Brazil. A home improvement chain stores. strikingly beautiful, squirrel-sized primate that One of the earliest freshwater conservation exists only in the lowland Atlantic forest of the initiatives that WWF engaged in was a grant of state of Rio de Janeiro, the tamarin has US$574,000 to purchase 65km2 of land near the significantly increased in number since 1984 Guadalquivir River in Spain which later led, under due to protection, expansion of habitat, a the guidance of another WWF founder and now reintroduction programme, and the support of Vice-President Emeritus, Dr Luc Hoffmann, to the landowners. Early 2001 marked the birth of the establishment of one of the world’s best known 1,000th golden lion tamarin. However, the wetland protected areas — Doñana. species remains one of the most endangered As with forests, mobilizing the right level of animals on earth. political and public support for freshwater conservation is also important. WWF was a major In order to survive, however, species require supporter of the Ramsar Convention — the their habitats to remain intact. This is why WWF’s Convention on Wetlands of International Importance global conservation priorities focus attention on the — when it was created in 1971. Since then, WW F planet’s three most important biomes: forests, has been working closely with governments under freshwater ecosystems, and oceans and coasts. It is the framework of the convention to conserve in these areas that WWF has made significant wetlands worldwide. Tod a y , 127 nations are contributions over the years. Contracting Parties to the Convention, and more In 1975, WWF launched its than 1,000 wetlands totalling over Siberian tiger. 81 million ha around the world first Tropical Rainforest WWF-Canon/Jean-Louis Klein Campaign which raised funds and have been designated for inclusion helped establish several dozen in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of new national parks or reserves in International Importance. In May Africa, Asia, and South America. 1999, WWF started a special push Since then WWF has helped to protect at least 25 million ha many forest conservation areas more. around the world, supporting Undoubtedly one of the their establishment, maintenance longest running battles for and protection. Only 8 per cent of conservation of the oceans and the world’s forests are currently their resources has centred upon under protection and WWF’s goal the world’s great whales. WWF’s is to reach 40 per cent by 2050. vigorous lobbying culminated in But as long as the world virtually the whole Southern needs wood, simple protection is Ocean being declared a whale Introduction iii sanctuary in 1994. The sanctuary’s boundary abuts global treaty that calls for the elimination of eight the Indian Ocean Sanctuary’s southern extremity, synthetic chemicals that are toxic to both wildlife together covering around 100 million square and humans. Severe restrictions on the production kilometres and protecting about one-third of the and use, with the ultimate aim of elimination, of a world’s oceans from whaling.