Table of Contents Framework Support for Implementing the Strategic Plan of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) 2011 Report to the Environment Agency ‐ Abu Dhabi 2011 Report Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 Activity Reports ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. CEESP‐SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group ..................................................... 5 2. Reptile Assessment for the Arabian Peninsula .................................................................................... 7 3. Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment for the Arabian Peninsula ............................................... 10 4. IUCN Red List Training ................................................................................................................................ 11 5. Increasing Interoperability of the IUCN Red List and Global Invasive Species Database 15 6. Inclusion of the Magnolias on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ................................ 21 7. The Second Global Conifer Assessment ................................................................................................ 24 8. Completing the Global Cactus Assessment .......................................................................................... 27 9. Priority‐setting and Species ....................................................................................................................... 29 10. Consolidating the Criteria for Identification of Sites of Importance for Biodiversity Conservation ......................................................................................................................................................... 34 11. Species Conservation Planning .............................................................................................................. 38 12. Developing a Programme to Save Southeast Asian Vertebrates from Extinction ............ 42 13. Situation Analysis on East and Southeast Asian Intertidal Habitats, with Particular Reference to the Yellow Sea ........................................................................................................................... 44 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................. 50 2 2011 Report Introduction Simon N. Stuart, Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission In June 2011, the Environment Agency ‐ Abu Dhabi (EAD) awarded a most generous three‐ year (2011‐2013) “Framework Support for Implementing the Strategic Plan of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)”. This is the first report from the SSC to the EAD on the work accomplished so far. Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed in June 2011, it is stated that “the funds will be used for the implementation of the SSC Strategic Plan, as adopted and agreed by the IUCN World Conservation Congress. The funds will be allocated to particular items of work in the Strategic Plan at the discretion of the Chair of the SSC, in consultation with EAD and the Global Species Programme, focusing in particular on high‐ priority activities that are poorly funded from other sources”. The Strategic Plan is detailed in Annex 1 of the Memorandum of Agreement, and the thirteen activities selected for funding in this first year were chosen based on this plan. As is clear from the thirteen Activity Reports that follow, a huge amount has been achieved in a short space of time. Given that the Memorandum of Agreement was signed only in June 2011, and it then took several months to agree the activities to be supported and to transfer the funding, most of the activities reported on here are still at an early stage of development, but all are progressing according to plan. With the agreement of the Secretary General of the EAD, work on this 2011 report did not start until after the conclusion of the SSC Chairs’ Meeting (held in Abu Dhabi on 23‐27 February 2012, and also generously funded by EAD). This was because the Chairs’ Meeting was an important opportunity for advancing the implementation of many activities reported on in this document. In addition to the activities outlined here, funds from the “Framework Support for Implementing the Strategic Plan of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)” were also used for employing an intern in the SSC Chairs’ Office to help with the administration of the “Framework Support” and also to assist with the preparations for the SSC Chairs’ Meeting. The report on the Chairs’ Meeting will be sent separately to EAD, as this funding comes mainly under a separate grant agreement. The activities supported in the first year are highly strategic. Although some funding existed already for many of these activities, it was in no way sufficient to make the necessary progress, and the “Framework Support” is therefore hugely important. In future reports, as implementation gathers speed, I look forward to being able to report on very significant progress. On behalf of all of the members of the Species Survival Commission, I would like to record my thanks especially to HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of the EAD for this most generous and extremely welcome support. 3 2011 Report Activity Reports ©David Mallon 4 2011 Report 1. CEESP‐SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group Rosie Cooney, Chair, IUCN CEESP‐SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group Key Achievements Appointment of new Chair, Dr Rosie Cooney; Re‐naming of group, reflecting broadened focus of the Specialist Group and new, joint commissional base within CEESP and SSC; Attendance of 2nd SSC Chairs’ Meeting in Abu Dhabi, February 2012; Participation in 1st meeting of the CMS Saker Falcon Taskforce in Abu Dhabi, March 2012; Extensive consultations and developments, including work on a 2013‐2016 workplan. This section of the report focuses on the initial activities of the newly re‐formed Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi). Formerly known as the Sustainable Use Specialist Group, SULi is now an initiative shared by two IUCN Commissions: the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) and the Species Survival Commission (SSC). The period covered by the report is December 2011—marking the appointment of the Chair—to the present. This brief period has seen a great deal of consultation and planning for the new Specialist Group, as well as some substantive technical inputs into pressing policy issues. The sustainable use of wildlife and natural resources is a critical issue both for species conservation and for human livelihoods worldwide. Much of this use is currently unsustainable and human pressures on species are growing. However, sustainable use, if well‐managed, can be a powerful and effective conservation tool, while also supporting human livelihoods and culture. Key activities The appointment of the Chair, Dr Rosie Cooney, took place in December 2011. Dr Cooney is a consultant, lecturer and researcher affiliated with the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She has previously worked for WWF, ResourceAfrica and IUCN on wildlife trade, sustainable use, and natural resource management. She brings to the Specialist Group her © Rosie Cooney experience in the commercial, subsistence and recreational use of Aroha Mead, CEESP Chair (left); Rosie Cooney, SULi Chair wildlife across a range of (centre); and Simon Stuart, SSC Chair (right), on the sands developed and developing country of Abu Dhabi at the 2012 SSC Chairs’ meeting contexts, and has a strong focus on seeking solutions that meet both conservation and human needs. Dr Cooney fills this role on a part‐time basis funded through the framework agreement with EAD. 5 2011 Report The re‐naming of the Specialist Group took place during this period by the addition of livelihoods to the name. The new acronym is SULi: the Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group. This change reflects the broadened focus of the group with its new Commissional base in CEESP as well as the SSC, and clearly marks the start of a new initiative on sustainable use within IUCN. The Chair and four regional leaders of SULi attended the 2012 SSC Chairs’ meeting in Abu Dhabi. This was an invaluable opportunity to consult, share information, plan, and build relationships among people involved with the Specialist Group, SULi members, other SSC Specialist Groups, CEESP, and the IUCN regional and thematic programmes. An Executive Committee was established, including regional leaders and representatives from both Commissions. Two meetings of this Committee took place during the 2012 SSC Chairs’ meeting in Abu Dhabi. This grant period has seen wide consultation among relevant people in IUCN in order to understand the most important issues at hand; other work currently taking place; what people want from the SULi network; and the successes and failures of past approaches to developing a Specialist Group on sustainable use. A communications strategy and relevant tools were developed, including work toward establishing a new website, listserv, and newsletter. The first newsletter is scheduled for circulation in May 2012. Initial consultations also took place concerning how SULi should be structured