News from the CEPA e-mail list

On coral reefs, mangroves and lake basins . . . (01/03/06)

Good morning everyone:

Here are two publications you may be interested in. The first, aimed at decision and policy makers, provides a useful source of information on the values and functions of coral reefs and mangroves. The second provides a focus on the diverse lessons learned from an analysis of 28 lake basins on managing lakes and basins for their sustainable use.

1. The economic value and life saving function of coral reefs and mangroves is brought into sharp focus in a new report In the front line: Shoreline Protection and other Ecosystem Services from Mangroves and Coral Reefs by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report underlines the vital role these natural features play in tourism, stemming coastal erosion and acting as nurseries for fish including those in the multi-million dollar aquaria trade. The report recognises that corals and mangroves absorb up to 90 per cent of the energy of wind-generated waves. It is also underlines that conserving them is a small price to pay when set against the costs of destroying them or substituting their role with man-made structures. It addresses the huge range of benefits provided by these ecosystems and the role that they can play in coastal development and in restoring livelihoods for those suffering from the effects of extreme events.

The report says, for example,

Produced by UNEP's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) in collaboration with the International Coral Reef Action Network and IUCN-the World Conservation Union, the report can be downloaded in PDF format (low res and high res versions) here http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/resources/publications/UNEP_WCMC_bio_series/24.cfm.

2. Managing lakes and their Basins for Sustainable Use: A Report for Lake Basin Managers and Stakeholders is the main output from a medium-size GEF project. The report by the main implementing agency, the International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, has focussed on the practical lessons learned from an analysis of management in 28 lake basins selected from around the world. While Chapter 6 in Section II may be of most interest to CEPA list members, here’s a brief summary of the report’s contents.

The three chapters in Section I, Understanding the Resource, provide the background necessary to understand the challenges facing lake basins as a key resource for promoting sustainable human livelihoods and development. This includes reference material on the 28 selected lake basins, biophysical aspects of lakes, as well as how lakes are used and the problems they face.

Section II, Meeting the Governance Challenge presents the lessons learned from the 28 basins regarding institutions, policies, involvement of people, technology, information and financing. Each chapter in this section can be read as a stand alone description of one component of lake basin management so if you have only a little time then do have a look at Chapter 6 Involving People and Stakeholders: an Essential Element of Effective Lake Basin Management. It is only ten pages long but effectively identifies the critical roles of participatory and communication techniques in effective lake basin management.

Finally Section III, Synthesis, includes just two chapters, the first is on planning for sustainable basin management and the second on guidelines for taking action to improve lake basin ecosystems for the benefit of people who depend upon them.

This report is available for download as a PDF file here http://www.ilec.or.jp/lbmi/index.html

Best wishes from a snowy Switzerland, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat

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Sandra Hails, CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0176; Fax: +41 22 999 0169
E-mail: hails@ramsar.org
Web Site: http://ramsar.org
CEPA mini-Web site: http://ramsar.org/outreach_index.htm

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