Lesotho Fourth National Report On Implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity December 2009 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ADB African Development Bank CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CCF Community Conservation Forum CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CMBSL Conserving Mountain Biodiversity in Southern Lesotho COP Conference of Parties CPA Cattle Post Areas DANCED Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development DDT Di-nitro Di-phenyl Trichloroethane EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan ERMA Environmental Resources Management Area EMPR Environmental Management for Poverty Reduction EPAP Environmental Policy and Action Plan EU Environmental Unit (s) GA Grazing Associations GCM Global Circulation Model GEF Global Environment Facility GMO Genetically Modified Organism (s) HIV/AIDS Human Immuno Virus/Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome HNRRIEP Highlands Natural Resources and Rural Income Enhancement Project IGP Income Generation Project (s) IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources LHDA Lesotho Highlands Development Authority LMO Living Modified Organism (s) Masl Meters above sea level MDTP Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Project MEAs Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements MOU Memorandum Of Understanding MRA Managed Resource Area NAP National Action Plan NBF National Biosafety Framework NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NEAP National Environmental Action Plan NES National Environment Secretariat NGO Non-Governmental Organization (s) NPGRC National Plant Genetic Resources Centre NUL National University of Lesotho PA Protected Area PELUM Participatory Ecological Land Use Management PIU Project Implementation Unit PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy RAMSAR Convention on wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat Ramsar (Iran) RMA Range Management Area SACU Southern African Customs Union SADC Southern African Development Community SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SNP Sehlabathebe National Park ii SPGRC SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre SWACAP Soil and Water Conservation and Agro-forestry Project TBPA Trans-Boundary Protected Areas UDP uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change YWCA Young Women Christian Association iii Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures........................................................................................................................... vii and programs using a 'food security lens' ................................................................................. vii List of Maps .............................................................................................................................. vii Executive Summary................................................................................................................. viii Chapter I –Overview of Biodiversity Status, Trends and Threads ..............................................1 1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................1 1.1.1 The key Purpose of chapter is to deliberate on the following: ........................... 2 1.2 Overview of Biodiversity:............................................................................................4 1.3 Biodiversity Status.......................................................................................................5 1.3.1 Highveld Grassland Zone: .................................................................................. 6 1.3.2 Afromontane Grassland Zone............................................................................. 9 1.3.3 Afroalpine Grassland Zone............................................................................... 11 1.3.4 Wetlands ........................................................................................................... 14 1.3.5 Plant Taxa:........................................................................................................ 16 1.3.6 Conservation Categories:.................................................................................. 18 1.3.7 Invasive Alien Species:..................................................................................... 21 1.3.8 Criteria for Classification of Species:............................................................... 24 1.4 Trends ........................................................................................................................24 1.4.1 Vegetation......................................................................................................... 25 1.4.1.1 Status and Trends.......................................................................................... 25 1.4.2 Birds:................................................................................................................. 25 1.4.2.1 Status and Trends.......................................................................................... 25 1.4.2.2 RED DATA LIST:........................................................................................ 31 1.4.3 Mammals: ......................................................................................................... 32 1.4.3.1 Status and Trends.......................................................................................... 32 1.4.4 REPTILES:....................................................................................................... 35 1.4.4.1 Status and Trends.......................................................................................... 35 1.4.5 Amphibians:...................................................................................................... 37 1.4.5.1 Status and Trends.......................................................................................... 37 1.4.6 FISH:................................................................................................................. 39 1.4.6.1 Status and Trends.......................................................................................... 39 1.5 Main threats to biodiversity.......................................................................................41 1.5.1 Uncontrolled use of biological resources.......................................................... 41 1.5.1.1 Overgrazing................................................................................................... 41 1.5.1.2 Unsustainable harvesting .............................................................................. 42 1.5.2 Uncontrolled fire............................................................................................... 43 1.5.3 Encroachment ................................................................................................... 43 1.5.3.1 Settlements.................................................................................................... 43 1.5.3.2 Cultivation..................................................................................................... 43 1.5.4 Alien Invasive................................................................................................... 44 iv 1.5.5 Pollution............................................................................................................ 45 1.6 Implications of Changes on Human wellbeing..........................................................46 Chapter II - Current Status of National Strategy on Lesotho’s Biological Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use.............................................................................................47 2.1 Background................................................................................................................47 2.2 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Priority Activities ..........................49 2.3 Domestic and International Funding for Priority Activities ......................................65 2.4 Review of Successes, Obstacles and Lessons Learned..............................................66 2.4.1 Successes........................................................................................................... 66 2.4.2 Lessons Learned................................................................................................ 67 2.4.3 Obstacles........................................................................................................... 68 2.5 Effectiveness of NBSAP............................................................................................70 2.5.1 Whether the observed changes in biodiversity status and trends mentioned in the report are as a result of measures taken to implement NBSAP and the Convention.. 70 2.5.2 Whether the current NBSAP is adequate to address the threats to biodiversity identified in Chapter 1: ..................................................................................................... 71 2.5.3 How implementation of NBSAPs may be improved, where necessary, including suggestions of possible ways and means to overcome identified obstacles. .... 72 2.6 Response to COP 8 Decisions (Progress in achieving participation