NATIONAL REPORT ON COMBATING DESERTIFICATION CYPRUS Environment Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment February, 2007 Executive Summary 3 Introduction 7 Desertification Factors in Cyprus 8 Climate 8 Soil 9 Water Resources 9 Anthropogenic Factors 10 Measures to Prevent and Mitigate Desertification 11 Water Management 11 Management of Agricultural Land and Soils 12 Forest Management 13 National Action Plan 15 2 Executive Summary Conditions in Cyprus are typical of all countries in the Mediterranean region: semi-arid climate; poor and erodible soils; water shortages; vegetation cover losses, largely due to uncontrolled fires; rural land abandonment and a high urbanization rate; often unsustainable practices in agriculture, irrigation, water exploitation, etc. Cyprus has long been experiencing the impacts of desertification as a result of this combination of natural and human-induced factors. Desertification Factors in Cyprus Climate Low rainfall, with strong seasonal variations and uneven geographic distribution, coupled with high temperatures during the summer season. Over the recent decades, precipitation is characterized by a decreasing pattern, while temperature follows an increasing trend. Soil Soil degradation, particularly erosion, due to human factors, such as the overexploitation of natural resources, intensive cultivation and inappropriate agricultural practices, as well as deforestation, fires and rainstorms. Water Resources Restricted availability of water resources, due to long periods of drought, overexploitation, population growth and socioeconomic development. Anthropogenic factors Rural land abandonment as a result of urbanization; overexploitation of land resources; inappropriate agricultural, irrigation and drainage practices; overgrazing; deforestation and forest fires. Measures to Prevent and Mitigate Desertification in Cyprus Water management During the last few decades attention was paid to the systematic study and construction of water development infrastructure, both for storage and recharge purposes. Currently, government water policy focuses on the maximum potential exploitation of non- conventional water resources, such as recycled water, and the efficient use of available resources. Substantial work has also been carried out in investing in and developing appropriate irrigation methods. Management of agricultural land and soils The Rural Development Plan covers a number of measure and provides support for the use of environmentally friendly faming methods, such as crop rotation; the preservation of traditional varieties of cultivations, shrubs and other plants; the reconstruction of bench terraces and dry stonewalls; the afforestation of abandoned agricultural land; and agriculture in disadvantaged areas of the island. 3 Executive Summary Forest management The National Forest Programme promotes the protection and extension of the country’s forest cover and the afforestation of abandoned land and degraded areas. Furthermore, the Rural Development Plan covers measures for the protection of forests against fire, the reforestation of burnt areas, the afforestation of agricultural and non- agricultural land and the development of private forests. An extensive protection system against fires is also in place. National Action Programme The Environment Service is currently in the process of preparing the tenders for the preparation of a National Action Programme. This will include measures for the management of water resources; the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, traditional agricultural methods and traditional crop varieties; the further promotion of afforestation, the enhancement of the fire protection system; as well as institutional and fiscal measures to encourage population to remain in the rural areas. Additionally, the programme will include education and awareness raising activities regarding the impacts of desertification, appropriate practices and other necessary measures to combat it. 1. Focal point institution Name of Focal Point Christina Pantazi Environment Service Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Address including e-mail address 1411 Nicosia, CYPRUS Tel: 0035722303870 Fax: 0035722774945 e-mail: [email protected] Country-specific websites relating to www.moa.gov.cy desertification 2. Status of NAP Date of validation NAP review(s) NAP has been integrated into the poverty reduction strategy NAP has been integrated into the national development strategy NAP implementation has started with or without the conclusions of partnership agreements Expected NAP validation Final draft of NAP exists 4 Executive Summary Formulation of a draft NAP is under way Basic Guidelines for a NAP have been Yes established Process has only been initiated Yes Process has not yet started 3. Member of SRAP/RAP Involvement specifically in topics such as Name of subregional and/or regional co- water harvesting techniques, soil erosion, operation framework etc. 1. 2. 4. Composition of the NCB Name of institution Government NGO Male/Female 1. Environment Service 5 2. Forestry Department 5 Department of Agriculture 5 3. Fisheries Department 5 Water Development 4. Department 5 Geological Survey 5. Department 5 Meteorological 6. Services 5 Town Planning and 7. Housing Department 5 Institute for Agricultural 8. Research 5 5. Total number of NGOs accredited to the process: ……………………………………… Has an NGO National Coordinating No. However NGOs are represented in all Committee on desertification been major committees by the Federation of established; if yes, how many NGOs or civil Environmental and Ecological society organisations participate in it? Organisations of Cyprus. 6. Total number of acts and laws passed relating to the UNCCD: 1 Title of the law Date of the Adoption 1. Law ratifying the Convention to Combat Desertification (No. 23.12.1999 5 Executive Summary 23(III)/1999) 7. The consultative process Number of partnership agreements that have been concluded and/or re being initiated within the framework of the UNCCD Donor(s), international Date of (expected) Official title of partnership organisation(s), and/or agencies conclusion of the UN system involved 1. 2. List of consultative meetings on UNCCD implementation International organisations or Donor countries Name of meeting Date/year agencies of the UN system involved involved 1. 2. 8. Name up to 10 projects currently under implementation which are directly or indirectly related to the UNCCD Project implemented Partners Name of project Timeframe Overall budget within the involved framework of Programme for the preservation and Rural Department of 91.800.000 1. improvement of the Development 2004 - 2006 Agriculture euro natural environment Plan in rural areas Programme for the protection, and the Rural sustainable Forestry 2. Development 2004 - 2006 8.500.000 euro development and Department Plan management of forest resources National Forest Forestry 3. 2001 – 2010 Programme Department Programme for the Water Water 4. treatment and reuse management - 2012 Development of recycled water policy Department Water Water Water Development 5. management - 2015 Development Programme policy Department 6 Introduction Desertification is currently one of the problems that threaten the world’s ecosystems and social structures. The Mediterranean region has long been experiencing the impacts of desertification and suffered from the fragility of its ecosystems, particularly in the coastal areas where most of the population is concentrated. As a result, Cyprus has long recognized the pressing need for controlling and managing the phenomenon of desertification, with its complex dynamics which are affected both by natural phenomena as well as human activities, and its short and long term impacts on the natural environment and society as a whole. Cyprus has signed and, in 1999, ratified the Convention to Combat Desertification. The competent authority for implementing the Convention is the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. The need for controlling and managing the impacts of desertification is being given primary consideration. Activities to combat desertification are currently pursued by a number of government departments and agencies that deal with specific aspects of the environment which are being affected, including the water, forests, agriculture, etc. Cyprus does not yet have a National Action Programme, however a wide range of measures have already been implemented by a number of Departments to combat the problems encountered. The Environment Service is currently in the process of preparing tenders for the preparation of the country’s National Action Programme. The programme will integrate and guide the multitude of efforts to combat desertification. 7 Desertification Factors in Cyprus CLIMATE Cyprus has an intense Mediterranean climate with strong seasonal characteristics with respect to weather, temperature and rainfall. Hot dry summers from mid-May to mid- September and rainy, rather changeable winters from November to mid-March are separated by short autumn and spring seasons with rapid changes in weather conditions. Generally, summer is a season of high temperatures and almost negligible rainfall. Rainfall Rainfall is geographically unevenly distributed, with maximum precipitation falling on the island’s two mountainous masses and minimum precipitation observed in the eastern plain and the coastal areas. The average annual total precipitation increases from approximately