Compiled by Leo Niskanen Technical Coordinator Conservation Areas and Species Diversity Programme IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Programme Office Draft May 2011 Situation Analysis – Conservation Areas & Species Diversity 2nd Draft for review by Leo Niskanen 10th May 2011 Table of Contents Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 8 2. State of biodiversity in eastern and southern Africa ............................................................................ 9 Overview of biodiversity in eastern and southern Africa ......................................................................... 9 Main ecosystems and habitats ............................................................................................................. 9 Species diversity and richness............................................................................................................. 10 Iconic species and ecological processes.............................................................................................. 12 Species endemicity.............................................................................................................................. 13 Threatened species ............................................................................................................................. 13 Important biodiversity areas ............................................................................................................... 14 Overview of protected areas .................................................................................................................. 18 Background and trends ....................................................................................................................... 18 Protected area coverage ..................................................................................................................... 23 3. Threats to protected areas and species diversity ............................................................................... 26 Main drivers of biodiversity loss ............................................................................................................. 27 1. Population growth and poverty .................................................................................................. 27 2. Growing demand for natural resources ...................................................................................... 30 3. Weak policies and legislation ...................................................................................................... 30 4. Poor governance ......................................................................................................................... 31 5. Conflict ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Direct threats .......................................................................................................................................... 31 1. Habitat loss and fragmentation .................................................................................................. 31 2. Overexploitation of plants and animals ...................................................................................... 34 3. Human‐wildlife conflict ............................................................................................................... 35 4. Pollution ...................................................................................................................................... 36 5. Invasive alien species .................................................................................................................. 36 6. Biofuels ........................................................................................................................................ 38 7. Genetically Modified Organisms ................................................................................................. 38 8. Fire .............................................................................................................................................. 38 9. Climate change ............................................................................................................................ 39 10. Capacity and resource constraints .......................................................................................... 40 2 CASD situation analysis for IUCN ESARO – 2nd draft 10th May 2011 by Leo Niskanen 4. Responses to threats........................................................................................................................... 42 Analysis of key policies, plans and strategies ............................................................................................. 42 Global ...................................................................................................................................................... 42 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ........................................................................................... 42 Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) ............................................................................ 45 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) ............ 46 The Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (The World Heritage Convention) .......................................................................................................................... 47 The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands ................................................................................................ 48 Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) ................................. 49 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ............................................. 49 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) ....................................................... 50 Other relevant global initiatives ......................................................................................................... 50 Regional .................................................................................................................................................. 52 Regional and sub‐regional biodiversity strategies and action plans................................................... 52 Other relevant regional programmes ................................................................................................. 56 National responses ................................................................................................................................. 58 National laws and policies .................................................................................................................. 58 Conservation trust funds .................................................................................................................... 59 Non‐governmental organizations ........................................................................................................... 60 African Wildlife Foundation ................................................................................................................ 60 Birdlife International ........................................................................................................................... 60 Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) ...................................... 61 Frankfurt Zoological Society ................................................................................................................ 61 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) .................................................................................................. 61 World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) .................................................................................................. 62 Great Ape conservation initiatives .......................................................................................................... 62 Great Ape Survival Partnership ........................................................................................................... 62 International Gorilla Conservation Programme .................................................................................. 62 Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund .................................................................................................. 62 The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International ........................................................................................ 63 The Jane Goodall Institute .................................................................................................................. 63 3 CASD situation analysis for IUCN ESARO – 2nd draft 10th May 2011 by Leo Niskanen 5. Opportunities and priorities for engagement ..................................................................................... 64 Stakeholder consultations .......................................................................................................................... 64 Summary of findings ..................................................................................................................................