National Workshop on Biosphere Reserves and Landscape Planning, April 7-9, 2009

IBC

Policy Brief

National Workshop on Biosphere Reserves (BR) and Landscape Planning, April 7-9, 2009

Organized by Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC),German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), EthiopianCoffeeForest Forum (ECFF), UNESCO-cluster Office, Addis Ababa and Center for Development Research (ZEF)

April, 2009

1

National Workshop on Biosphere Reserves and Landscape Planning, April 7-9, 2009

Main Outputsof the workshop:-

1-Landscape planningprovides a coordinated information basis for all natural resources management including biosphere reserve establishment and serves as tool to combine nature conservation aspects in their operational management.

2-The UNESCO-MAB program is an intergovernmental programme for
deriving an interdisciplinary basis forimproving of people-environment
relationships by combining conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

3-There are two parallel initiatives (Yayu and Kaffa) underway to establish Biosphere Reserve (BR) in Coffee Forests of Ethiopia.

4-To realize the two initiatives, the independent gazettement of the two BR initiatives at regional state level is considered as a feasible option to back-up the legal framework forestablishment of BR in Ethiopia.

5-To enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the proposed BR areas –an increase in the production and productivity of coffee and other agricultural products are identified as an important intervention areafor the livelihood improvement of the local communities in the area.

6-Evidence from genetics and species diversity analysis of overall coffee forests in Ethiopian underlined the distinctness of the different sites and the need to consider multi-sites conservation approaches. Hence, the need to consider the two initiatives independently was underlined.

I. Introduction

Ethiopia is a country with greatly varying physiographic features and landscapesraging from highland and rugged mountains, deep gorges and river and rolling plains. The altitude generally ranges from 120m below sea level at the Afar depression to 4,370m on Tullu Dimitu in SE and 4,620m on mount Ras-Dashen in NW Ethiopia. Great Rift Valley, geologically active valley,extends from Lake Turkana in SE to the Afar lowland in the north-east dissecting the two highlands massive system. The lowlands and arid areas stretch from these highlands and Plato to nearly all borders. This enormous terrain diversity and divers physiographic features havecontributed for wide variations in climate, soil and natural vegetation and endowed Ethiopia with diverse biological resources.

Ethiopia is one of the top 25 biodiversity rich countries in the world and centers of origin and diversity for several cultivated crops. Most parts of the country falls within twobiodiversity hotspots; namely Eastern Afromontane and Horn of Africa, which are among the 34 globally important biodiversity conservation regions.

Despite also these great biological resources in the country, a biodiversity conservation record of Ethiopia is not great. Apparently many ecosystems have been degraded and others are under serious pressure from human induced factors. Hence, the link between biodiversity conservation and the development needs of the local communities is a central component that should be considered for future conservation practices. For this, the concept and practices of UNESCO-MAB program- Biosphere Reserve approach is a suitable model for sustainable development via co-existence of human and nature in sustainable ways. The biosphere reserve approach protect biodiversity, improve livelihood of the local community through innovative marketing of their products, environmentally friendly agriculture and eco-tourism. It also prompt education and research and interact with world network.

II. Aim and structure of the workshop

The workshop aimed to create awareness, inform and discuss about the potential of BR as approaches for biodiversity conservation in human dominated landscapes, while taking development into consideration. In addition it aims to introduce landscape planning as an instrument to plan and manage protected areas.

The workshop participants include representatives from Federal and Regional states, mainly senior experts, policy makers, representatives of conservation and development initiatives in the country, international experts and UNESCO representatives.

The first two days of the workshop were:-

  • To introduce the potential and scope of the BR approach.
  • To introduce the new MAB-Africa initiative with specific reference to the implementation of the Madrid Action Plan.
  • To demonstrate the suitability of the BR approach for sustainable development in Ethiopia.
  • To introduce and support the ongoing initiatives to establish a first BR in Ethiopia.
  • To discuss the requirements and “toolkit” for the establishment and development of a BR on the basis of landscape planning.

The third day had a strong training component for landscape planning and BR, and was designed for potential users of the instrument in Ethiopian context.

III. Main issues addressed

1. Landscape planning as a tool to establish and mange biosphere reserves:-

Landscape planning is the central planning instrument for realizing the objectives of nature conservation and landscape management. The complex interaction of soil, water, air and climate, biodiversity components, characteristics features of all landscapes and land use are needed to be considered for landscape planning to achieve sustainable conservation and use of the biological resources.

Landscape planning as a tool can provide a way to integrate all factors that affect the balance of nature.Its purpose is to translate general nature conservation and landscape management objectives into spatial terms and provide an instrument for implementation. It also allows the participation and involvement all stakeholders in the area. Generally, it is a process of information (data base creation), participation, public relation and coordination that is designed in iterative way.

There is a close relationship between ecosystem services, biodiversity and human well-being. Hence, there is a need for integrated approaches for conservation and
sustainable development. Biosphere reserve approaches as designated by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program provide a suitableframework for
combining the concept of conservation and sustainable development.This is best achieved by comprehensive land-use planning that includes a zoning system with strictly protected core areas, buffer and development zone.

The contribution oflandscapeplanning towards the establishment of Biosphere Reserve could be via establishing data base (water, soils,air/climate,landscapeand biodiversity), assess and evaluate ecosystem functions and services, develop zonation and management concepts, help to establish ideas that contribute to local welfare and support stakeholder involvement.

2. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BR): Model sites for sustainable development

MAB programme is an intergovernmental programme for deriving an interdisciplinary basis for improvementof people-environment relationships. It is a program which focuses on ecosystem for biodiversity conservation. The main ecosystems includeTropical and sub-tropical forest ecosystems, Arid and semi-arid zones, Mountain ecosystems, Island and coastal ecosystems, and Ecological effects of urban systems.

Biosphere Reserves is a place designated for achieving three functions, i.e., Conservation of biodiversity (ecosystem, species and gene), sustainable development and logistic support for research and education. Up to now, there are 531 Biosphere Reserves in 105 countries.

The concept of biosphere reserve has proved its value further than protected areas and is increasingly embraced by scientists, planners, policy makers and local communities to bring a variety of knowledge, scientific investigations and experiences to link biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development for human well-being. Hence, through establishing BR, it is possible to enhance the ecosystem functions and services and offset the current world challenges like climate change.

3. BR initiatives in Ethiopia

Currently, there two parallel initiatives underway to establish BR in Ethiopia. These include Yayu and Kaffa Biosphere Reserve. The state of each initiative is summarized as follow.

YayuCoffeeForest BR initiative:- Yayu BR initiative is the outcome of more than ten years of research and development activities on coffee forests. The study began in 1999 mainly as part of PhD and M.Sc thesis work. These research works became starting point for the initiation of an inter-disciplinary research project, in 2002 by Ethio-German research team ( with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research. The research work was carried out in Yayu, Berhane-Kontir (Sheko), Bale (Harenna), Maji and Bonga forests. In addition to these sites, extensive survey and analysis of genetic diversity were also conducted with samples from all forest coffee regions and landraces.The objectives of the research project were toassess the diversity and the economic value of the montane rainforests and the wild coffee gene pool and to develop model concepts for theirconservation and use, based on the in-situ conservation of genetic diversity linked to the conservation of species diversity of the forest

The findings of the multi-disciplinary research project showed that:-

  • Coffee forests are important for conservation of forest biodiversity. The studies showed that the regions are different floristically and have high species diversity.
  • In term of coffee genetic diversity, there is high gene pool variability of coffee germplasm with great distinction from the cultivated landraces. Some forests are observed to be distinctive and diverge from the rest.
  • High variability observed among the coffee forest in response to a biotic (drought) and biotic (disease) stress.
  • Coffee forests are important as sources of livelihood for local community: for Coffee, spices, honey and wood products.
  • The cost-benefit analysis shows that the sustainable use of the forest is the most beneficial land use option from the national point of view
  • The indigenous institutions and traditional system in the coffee forests have been contributing a lot in the conservation and use of natural resources including forest coffee and natural forest.

Generally, within the past eight years more than 15 PhD and 25 MA/M.Sc students trained and several scientific publications published in reputable local and international journals.

As a conservation model or approach, the research result as identified the UNESCO-MAB program of Biosphere Reserve as the best approach for conservation and sustainable use of coffee forests in Ethiopia. This approach protects biodiversity in the core areas, support livelihood through creation of better market for local products, eco-tourism and environmentally friendly agricultural practice in the rest zones.

Although all the coffee forest deserves conservation through BR approach but due to resources limitation, Yayu Coffee Forest was identified as pilot site for implementing BR approach (coffee project phase-II:

The reasons why Yayu forest selected for implementing BR approach were:-

It is the largest remaining coffee forest fragment worldwide.

Yayu forest comprises an extraordinary landscape mosaic of forest, agricultural land and wetlands.

The area is centre of origin and diversity of several plants with high versatility, suchas Aframomum kororema, Piper capense,Ddiscorea sp, Coccinia abyssinica (Anchote), Placterantus edulis (Oromo dinich) beside coffee.

In the area, over 70% of local income is directly linked to coffee production. Hence, the biosphere reserve approach can act as an important pilot site for enhancingsustainable coffee forest use.

The site is located on the economically important regional watershed, the NileBasin, requires an integrated management approach at landscape level via UNESCO concept.

The proposed area harbors historical site like the Gada Assemblyof the IluuOromo – a key landmark in Oromo People’s sophisticated political culture.

The importance of the forest for livelihood and the existence of traditional resource management institutions helped to maintain forest cover with little change over time. The traditional resource management rule like the territory based informal administrative institutions (tuulla, xuxee and shane) and elders’ councils (mucho, salgii and jaarsa biyya) can play a role in conservation and sustainable use of the coffee genetic and other forest resources.

Since 2006, major preparatory works have been accomplished for nomination of YayuCoffeeForest as UNESCO-MAB biosphere reserve site.

These include:-

  • Awareness creation at various levels (farmers, school children, teachers, university student, development agents, experts, and policy makers and government authorities).
  • Participatoryzonation of the biosphere reserve area with local community undertaken.
  • Formation of Yayu Biosphere Reserve Management Unit. An institution that is supposed to follow-up and administer the establishment and management of Yayu BR. The Management Unit is established at three levels: Zonal, District and Kebele levels. At zonal level the MU composed of Zonal Administration Office, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Office, Ethiopia Coffee Forest Forum,Illubabor Forest Enterprise, and Illubabor Zone Peace and Security Office. At district level, the above mentioned institutions were also represented but at kebele level different community representative delegated as a member of MU such as tradition leader, elders, Youth and Women in addition Kebele Chairman, Development agent. The MU has also adopted its own founding charter.
  • The MU has also development Coffee Forest ManagementGuidelines and has been discussed on and approved by different groups.
  • To finalize, the Yayu BR initiative different activities underway such as finalization of zonation, preparation of the nomination and application process etc.

Kafa Coffee BR Initiative:-This initiative is initiated by thePublic Private Partnership (PPP) Projectof “Sustainable coffee production, marketing and forest conservation”.

The main aims of the project are:-

•To develop and introduce a scheme for sustainable coffee production and marketing that complying with international quality standards using the natural resources of the area.

•To improve the livelihood of the local community by using the available coffee and forest genetic resources in a sustainable manner.

•To conserve biodiversity and improve the ecosystem service.

•to bring sustainable development in Kafa zone.

The main tasks of the PPP project are:-

•To improve coffee quality and establishing a sustainable marketing strategy.

•To introduce community based family planning /HIV prevention.

•To conserve natural forest (PFM)

•To establish BR for sustainable development and conservation.

The reasons behind Kafa BR initiative include:-

•The area has untouched areas for core zones and the existing sustainable development which includes certification of coffee and honey and tourism structure could also play a role.

•The existing structures like 40 participatory forest management (PFM), forest user groups and traditional user rights are some of the systems in place.

•Sources of water for OmoBasin.

•Natural forests of Kafa are at a high risk of disappearing (42 % loss between 1980 and 1995).

•Several endemic and threatened plant and animal spp. are occurring in the area.

The progress so far made to realize the Kaffa BR initiative includes:

•Experience-sharing at zonal, regional and federa governmental level.

•Research and baseline studies on flora, fauna, land use.

•GIS studies for map compilation.

•Participatory resource mapping for zonation.

•Participatory workshops for zoning of the area at kebele level.

•Establish a multipliers training program.

•Establish Participatory Forest Management (PFM) systems.

•Set up of local basic infrastructure (office, staff).

•Two workshops conducted (zonal and national level).

•Network established and stakeholders meeting to form/strengthen national MAB committee.

•Participatory zonation of core, buffer and transitional areas underway.

As part of continuing effort to realize BR in Kafa, communication and raising awareness, participatory demarcation and zonation and setting up proper administration will be the main task in the future with preparation for the official application to UNESCO.

IV.Main findings of the group discussion

Institutional arrangement for BR:-Group discussion was made on institutional arrangement and integrating research and education in the framework of BR management inEthiopia. The IBC were identified as focal point at federal level and the other important institutions like Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Ministry of Education and Ministry of Tourism and culture should also take part directly or indirectly in this institutional arrangement at different levels.

The local stakeholders like Administration, department of Agriculture and Rural development, department of education, culture and tourism, Forest Enterprise, Peace and Security, and CBOs, DAs, representatives from elders, women and youth associations should be included in MUs at all level.

Data on endemic, endangered and threatened mammals have to be made available for both initiatives.Research and education center should be established at the Buffer zone. The establishment of networks with universities and research centers also needs consideration. The two BR initiatives should also collaborate and learn from each other.

The long term research issues of monitoring the change in ecological condition, genetic or molecular evolution, climate change and the impact of the forest, research on the livelihood improve should also be considered in the future. Generally, the existing institutions at local level should be organized and take responsibility to administer and follow the establishment of the BR.

Legal framework for the establishment of BR:-In this regard, two main issues were discussed in details. These were whether Ethiopia needs to have new policy/law for establishing BR or to consider as part of protected area system of Ethiopia which already has different policies. After having detail discussion on the two points and considering the short time the two initiatives have to apply for the next round nomination deadline, the second option, consideration of the existing policies and developing some sort of act that address the concept of BR of the two initiatives was agreed and for this the act to be developed in the respect regional state. According to the Federal constitution, the regional governments have the right to administer land and other natural resources.