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Каспинфо февраль 2000 |
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Название: Отчет Каспийской экологической программы (на англ. яз) Главные Пункты: Тезисы докладов участников Первого Регионального семинара <Оценка трансграничных приоритетов сохранения биоразнообразия Каспийского моря> * Шабанова Л.В. Проблемы сохранения биологического разнообразия Каспийского моря * Большов А.А. Основные приоритеты сохранения биоразнообразия каспийского региона. (08.02.2000) Полный Текст Отчет Каспийской экологической программы (на англ. яз) Welcoming Address Herbert Behrstock Resident Coordinator UNDP/Almaty 22 July 1999 As you know, it took some five years and titanic efforts by many national and international experts as well as representatives of all GEF agencies to develop and initiate the Caspian Environment Programme. The successful start-up of the Caspian Environment Programme at Ramsar, Iran, last May was followed by extensive negotiations and collaboration between the Caspian littoral states and the international agencies. Today I am very pleased with the progress of the Programme and would like to welcome you at this First Biodiversity Meeting in Kazakhstan. Today we are not only present at the initiation of the work of the Biodiversity CRTC located in Kazakhstan, but we see the culmination of huge efforts Kazakhstan has put in the field of Biodiversity protection. As all of you well know, Kazakhstan submitted a proposal to the GEF for the regional Biodiversity conservation project in 1994, on behalf of all Caspian states. This proposal was one of the keystones on which the Caspian Environment Programme was built. Since 1994 Kazakhstan has placed the conservation of biodiversity as one of its priority activities. In 1998, a National Report on Conservation and Sustainable use of Biological Diversity was prepared. As a follow- up, the National Strategy and Action Plan on conservation and sustainable use of Biological diversity were developed in 1999. The GEF project "Integrated Conservation of Priority Global Significant Migratory Bird Wetland Habitat (PDF-B) is being successfully implemented with national and international expertise, and will see full-scale implementation before the end of 1999 to include the sensitive areas of the North Caspian and other globally significant targets. The Biodiversity CRTC located in Atyrau will utilise all of these achievements and will coordinate international activities of the Caspian countries to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Caspian Sea. We are expecting from this very important meeting to set up a regional biodiversity network, which will be able to address urgent needs in the protection of Caspian Biodiversity. The meeting will also agree on the 3-year work plan for the Biodiversity Center and elaborate the structure and contents for the preparation of the National Biodiversity Reports. As soon as the countries will reach an agreement on the biodiversity work plan, UNDP will be ready to provide financial support to the Caspian Countries using standard UNDP rules and procedures. UNDP will also make sure to secure enough financial resources before the full implementation stage of the CEP. UNDP has a very long history of fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology under the strong leadership of His Excellency Minister Daukeev. I hope now as the chairman of the CEP Steering Committee, he will be able to bring a new constructive dialog to the implementation of the Caspian Environment Programme in General and to the Caspian Biodiversity Center in particular. It is our hope that UNDP will continue its successful and dynamic cooperation with the Government of Kazakhstan. At the regional scale, one good example of fruitful cooperation between Ministries of Ecology in the region is the constructive dialog on the development of the regional environmental center. I am very pleased that this center will be located in Kazakhstan. Permit me to briefly summarise for you the history of the Caspian Environment Programme. In 1995, when important international meetings underpinning this CEP were held in Tehran, Iran, the political stage in the region was complex. However, given the urgency of the environmental situation at that time, all five Caspian States pledged to work together harmoniously to address the environmental issues, regardless of certain political issues such as the legal status of the Caspian Sea. In other words, the environmental issues require immediate attention and must not await political settlements of certain difficult issues. Just as this pledge was made four years ago, I urge the countries to renew this pledge. Certain difficult legal and political issues still remain unresolved. However, we cannot, and must not, postpone solution of environmental problems to await solution of these political issues. Following Ramsar, UNDP worked closely with the countries to develop the Project Brief for the GEF Project supporting the Caspian Environment Programme. As you know, the Project Brief was approved by GEF Council in October 1998. By December 1998, a Project Document had been completed by UNDP, reviewed internally, and, in January 1999, submitted to the GEF Secretariat for distribution to GEF Council. At this time, the UNDP and participating implementing agencies (World Bank, UNEP) were informed that all three Project Documents had to be submitted to Council and approved at the same time. At the present, the UNDP and UNEP Project Documents await completion of the procedures that the World Bank must follow in order for them to complete their Project Document. We expect submittal of the complete package to the GEF Council sometime in Fall of this year. Although full activities in the GEF Project cannot take place until the GEF Council approves the project and the countries approve the Project Document, the Advanced Authorisation will assist in moving the CEP towards achieving its goals. The UNDP, despite the delay in funding, is committed to assistance in the CEP, and looks forward to working closely with the CEP in implementing its Activities. We will work closely not only with the countries, but with all the international agencies, in assisting this important regional intervention. The Almaty office of the UNDP looks forward to assisting the CEP in the coming years. ******************* Shabanova L.V. "Problems of Preservation of Biological Diversity of Caspian Sea" Nature in the Caspian region is unique. It has various landscapes: subtropics in the western part, deserts in the south and east. The flora of the region consists of more than 1000 species. Fauna are represented by hundreds species, many of which are endemic. The world's largest population of sturgeons (85% of world reserves) lives here, as does the rare species of the Caspian seal (450-500 thousand individuals). The northern coast of Caspian Sea is the territory used for nestling, molting, and habitat for 10-12 millions of birds migrating from Scandinavian and Siberia coasts. Southern coasts are wintering places for numerous flocks of migrating birds. In general, in accordance with priorities of the Ramsar Convention (1971), the Caspian region is classified as a wetland territory of international importance. Experts have assessed bioresources of the Caspian Sea at a value of 500 billion US dollars. The Caspian Sea covers territory of 5 states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan). More than 11 million people live in the coastal area (7000 km in length). Infrastructure is well-developed, and energy and oil extraction sectors of economy dominate. Sea-level rise, which has begun since the 1970s, occurred simultaneously with the intensive pace of development of oil and gas fields. Increase of the square of the sea by 40 thousands sq. km., adversely affected social-economic conditions of riparian states. The damage caused by sea-level fluctuation, water contamination and biological diversity loss in the Caspian region is counted in millions of US dollars. The problems of the Kazakh sector as well as other littoral states, have its own peculiarities, as stipulated by geographic position, and natural and social-economic conditions. The coastline of Kazakhstan goes through northeastern coast of the Caspian Sea (its length is 2.3 thousand km.). Coastal areas of a Kazakhstan (Atyrau and Mangystau districts) occupy 284.2 thousand sq.km., with a population of 800 thousand persons. Their economy is mainly oriented towards oil and gas production, and refining potential reserves of which are 2.1 billions tons) Out of 124 fish species inhabiting the Caspian Sea, almost all are present in Kazakh waters. Five types of fishes are included in the Kazakhstan Red Book (Caspian lamprey, Caspian salmon). Kazakh sector is the dwelling place for numerous mammal species (56), invertebrates and plants. More than 278 bird species over-winter here, out of which 36 species are included in the Kazakhstan Red Book. The Eastern coast of the sea merges with an endless clay desert (Usturt plateau) - the dwelling place of moufflon, oytred gazelle, saiga, falcons and the water area of the Northern Sea, including croplands of the Ural river, have the status of protected area. Conservation of biological diversity of Kazakh sector of Caspian Sea and its coastal zone is an important component of stability of the overall environmental system of the region. Main Problems: ? Destabilization of aquatic and coastal ecosystems of Caspian Sea. ? Decline of species diversity (in-situ, ex-situ). ? Reduction of area of natural inhabiting place of flora and fauna. ? Decrease of genetic fund of agricultural plants and animals. ? Lack of balance between utilization and reproduction of biological resources. Destabilization factors ? Caspian Sea-level fluctuation ? Contamination of the environment caused by anthropogenic activity ? Predatory extraction of biological resources (excessive catch, smuggling) ? Imperfection of normative-legal base. ? Lack of optimal management system. ? Imperfection of mechanisms for regional interaction. ? Insufficient public awareness. Strategic directions - Rehabilitation of marine and coastal ecosystems. - Preservation of biological diversity (in-situ, ex-situ). - Rehabilitation of natural habitat. - Balanced utilization of biological resources. - Development of normative-legal frameworks. - Evolvement of regional partnership. Solutions - Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of biodiversity status. - Development of national and regional strategies and action plan for biodiversity conservation. - Development of normative-legal basis for extraction and protection of bioresources. - Creation of national and unified regional data bases on the status of biological resources of the region. - Organization of a biodiversity monitoring system. - Ensuring public awareness. - Preparation of pilot projects for rehabilitation and protection of ecosystems of rare and endangered species. All actions that we propose regarding biodiversity preservation are consistent with conceptual provisions of the European Strategy with respect to biological and landscape diversity. Conceptions on conservation and balanced utilization of biological diversity include the principles of: Conventions on preservation of migratory species, Ramsar Convention, Agreement on Preservation of Afro-Eurasian migratory waterfowls and Bazel Declaration. The common basis of all nature protection conventions and strategies is preservation of biodiversity, sustainable utilization of its components, and joint receipt of benefits on a fair and equitable basis. International cooperation implies a responsibility carried by every state, so that the activities within their jurisdiction should not harm the environment of other states and regions outside of the territory of national jurisdiction. In this view, the GEF project "Resolution of Transboundary Problems" can be considered as specific implementation of measures proposed in international conceptual documents on a regional basis. The main directions for liquidation of oil contamination, emergency response and the preservation of Caspian ecosystems are priorities for Kazakhstan and are included in the Development Strategy 2030 in Environment and Natural Resources section, Short- term Strategic Plan up till year of 2000, National Action Plan for Environmental Protection. In accordance with CEP implementation stages, the following measures have been undertaken in Kazakhstan: - The CEP structure is established. The Intersectoral Coordination Function is fulfilled by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection (National Focal Point of CEP is the Minister). - The executive body is the Committee on Problems of Caspian Sea and Oil-Gas Pollution (NEC/SD). Working programs of the Committee are agreed upon and approved. - There have been established interaction relations with international institutions, countries, Programme Coordination Unit, Caspian Regional Thematic Centers, as well as Ministries, local executive bodies, and NGOs. Implementation of this programme is based on fulfillment of works in agreed thematic directions. (Transparency). Among these directions is the Caspian Center for Biodiversity aimed at identification of transboundary priorities, preparation of national and regional action plans, and development of priority investment portfolio. Conduct of these works is the subject of this workshop. ****************** Bolshov A.A. Main Priorities for Conservation of Biodiversity of the Caspian Region Amongst the problem humanity face, one of the most important is preservation of biological diversity. Namely biota are the most vulnerable to all stressful factors and are indicators of ecological well being. Particularly the problem relates to the Caspian Sea - one of the unique reservoirs of the world. The Caspian Sea is situated at the juncture of two continents - Europe and Asia. It contains 44 % of the total water volume of all lakes and land-locked seas in the world. The Caspian Shelf is a vast habitat places for tremendous a number of flora and fauna, including rare species inserted in Red Books of literal states. As a result of the segregation of the Caspian Sea from the World Ocean, it has high level of endemism. Major groups of organisms of the earth are broadly represented in the sea and its coasts. Sturgeons, the most ancient phylogenetic group, are represented by five species and two sub-species (more than anywhere else in the world). Caspian sturgeon comprises more than 85% of existing world sturgeon stocks. Fish resources of the Caspian Sea have enormous economic value at market. The Caspian Sea possesses a unique variety of habitats. They are represented by vast river systems and mouths with their rich flats, huge areas covered by reeds, vast shallow waters, and waters with strong salinity variations, from fresh to brine water in Kara-Bogaz-Gol. Biota on land includes salt-tolerant desert plants, enormous populations of coastal birds, but few land mammals. Migratory fishes adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions live in the Sea. There are a great variety of birds and their population is enormous. Some of the species are classified as rare and endangered. The Caspian Sea is the biggest land-locked reservoir on our planet. It occupies a territory of about 380 thousand sq.km. The length of the Caspian Sea from the north to the south is 1030 km, and from the west to the east ranges from 196 km to 435 km. High meridianal variability exists for climatic conditions, coastal landscapes, and biological species. There is a change from acutely continental desert climate in the northeastern part to a subtropical climate in the southwest. The depth of the Caspian Sea varies from 1025 m. in the deepest southern part of the sea, to an average depth of 4.4 m. in the eastern part of the northern Caspian Sea. The northern part of the Caspian Sea is a shallow water shelf zone, where the main part of freshwater discharges, contributing its high biological productivity. The coastline in the northern part of the sea is tortuous, whereas in the remaining part of the sea is comparatively smooth. The eastern coast of the Northern Caspian Sea has a low slope. It has flooding zones caused by wind tides and waves, as well as longer-term sea-level fluctuation. The isolation of the Caspian Sea from the World Ocean has enhanced the evolvement and existence of endemic forms of fauna and flora. Vegetation of the Caspian plain is represented by 945 species belonging to 371 types and 88 families. 357 species of high plants belonging to 185 types and 35 families occur within the coastal flora. Migratory forms of flora from outside the Caspian basin contribute to the allochthonous flora framework. Younger indigenous flora consists of Caspian and Aral-Caspian species, such as Suaeda salsa, S.kossinskyi, Corispermum laxiforum, C.aralo-caspicum. Endemics of Kazakhstan are represented by 25 species (7%), 6 types of which are included in the Red Books of Kazakhstan and CIS countries. There are 64 species of benthic algae in the Caspian Sea, out of which 12 were brought from the Black Sea, after opening of Volga-Don canal. Phytoplankton of the Caspian Sea is represented by 449 species and sub-species, of which 414 forms exist in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, 225 in the middle part, and 71 in the southern part. Most numerous are blue-green (102), diatom (163), and green (139) algae. Species content of zooplankton of the Caspian Sea is poor relative to the World Ocean, but the origin of species varies. Here, there are Arctic, Mediterranean and endemic species. In total, about 100 species of animal plankton are described, among which 61 are mainly freshwater inhabitants, 20- marine, 5 - euryhaline and 9 with unidentified ecology. Out of these species, approximately 35 belong to Rotiferas, 32 to cladocerus,18 to copepods, 9 to Mysydacea, 6 species are ichthyoplankton. 379 species of benthic organisms inhabit in the Caspian Sea. They belong to 4 fauna complexes: 1 - indigenous Caspian complex (310 species), mainly remaining of tertiary fauna, which experience change of hydrological regime of the Sea; 2 - Mediterranean-Atlantic complex (29 species): species which have been brought to the Caspian Sea at different times; 3 - fresh wateк complex (31): species which comparatively recently have been brought into the Caspian Sea by rivers flowing into it; and 4 - Arctic complex (9 species). The Caspian Sea is characterized by the fact that, in comparison with regions having access to the World Ocean, it has a small number of fish species: only 76 species and 17 families. Mostly they are carps (33%), gobies (28%), northern Caspian (14%). Many species are indigenous including several representatives of Mediterranean complex. We identify 4 main groups of fishes: Marine fishes: These fishes spend all their life cycle in the sea. This group consists of sprats, Caspian shad, and some types of gobies. Anadromous fishes: These fishes live in the sea until they are sexually mature, whereas for breeding, they migrate upstream in the rivers to spawning places including lamprey, salmon, sturgeons (except sterlets), black-backed shad, black sea roach and others. Self-migratory fishes (living in the sea, spawning in fresh water): Fattering of these fishes occurs in fresh water of the Caspian Sea and they spawn during floods in river basins. This group includes Caspian bream, roaches, carps, zander, and others. River and coastal species: These fishes live their entire life-cycle in fresh water of rivers, streams, rivers mouths and adjoining coastal areas of the Sea. This group includes carp, perch, red-eye, and others. Out of all species living in Caspian Sea, 40 have commercial importance. The Caspian Sea is an important habitat for seasonal migration, molting and over-wintering of birds coming from almost all parts of former USSR and adjacent regions. About 10-12 million waterfowl find interim asylum in the Caspian region during their annual migrations. Approximately 3-3.5 million birds over-winter in the Caspian region, representing nearly 50% of all birds over-wintering in the territory of the former USSR. Major risk factors for biodiversity of the Caspian region are: - Sea-level rise and the human activities responding to sea-level rise - Regulation of water discharge and water consumption - Pollution of air, rivers, ground water and sea - Intensive fish catch - Eutrophication of the sea - Biological settlement - Desertification of coastal zones - Anthropogenic impact on coastal ecosystems Sea-level rise has both positive and negative aspects. On one hand it leads to increase in the area of the sea, expands the area of feeding for fishes, biological productivity of the reservoir also increases. The shallow water area also increases, which potentially might become habitat for migratory and nesting birds. On the other hand, sea-level rise causes increase of water depth. The area occupied by surface vegetation is reduced, which, in rapid level rise, cannot move towards the coast rapidly enough. That leads to decrease of the areas suitable for waterfowl nesting and their living conditions deteriorate. Creation of artificial structures, restricting sea intrusion (dams, etc.) decrease the area of shallow water available for inhabitation of waterfowl, also adversely affecting on their population. A serious threat to biodiversity is regulation of river water discharge. Construction of the Volga cascade of hydropower stations affected traditional spawning place of sturgeons, inconnu, and migratory herring, jeopardizing their existence. A similar effect is also caused by regulation of other rivers of the Caspian basin. One valuable commercial species, Caspian salmon, became rare. The regulation of river discharge led to alteration of river hydrography, alerting timing of spring freshet, and negatively influencing reproduction of semi-migratory fishes. Water, air and soil pollution represents a particular danger. In the 1980s, because of increased sea pollution, mass mortality of sturgeons occurred, called cumulative polytoxicosis. It evolved in the form of exfoliation of mussel tissues and disruption of the structure of caviar. At the same time, increased levels of heavy metals and pesticides were observed in different sturgeon organs. Some, particularly contaminated areas became unsuitable for habitation by fishes and other aquatic life. In conjunction with economic decline in the 1990s, the level of pollution of the Caspian Sea and rivers flowing into it began to decrease. However, in connection with sea-level rise, oil wells and coastal oil fields began to be submerged, creating potential for sea pollution and threat to biodiversity. There is a separate problem of irrational utilization of biological resources of the Sea. Primarily affected are sturgeon populations - the most valuable fish species in the Caspian basin. The illegal catch by poachers, which according to estimates exceeds sturgeon catch limits by more than 3 times, brought this ancient fish species under threat of extinction. Even catch with permits, under condition of lack of rigorous control, does not assure that reported data reflects actual catch. Under increasing discharge of Volga and Ural rivers, the observed increased discharge the sea of biogenic elements and organic substances carried by rivers and also their introduction from flooded shores, led to increase eutrophication of coastal waters. In the southwestern part of the Northern Caspian Sea, during summer, a large zone of hypoxia appears, and low oxygen content in sediment water layers makes them of little use as habitat of fishes during this season of a year. Local zones of eutrophication are observed in many coastal areas. Unauthorized release of exotic biological species in the Caspian Sea is a serious threat to conservation of biodiversity. Most probably they are carried by vessels entering the Caspian Sea via the Volga-Don channel from the Black Sea or through the Belomor-Baltic systems of canals from the northern seas. They may occupy a particular trophic niche, displacing indigenous inhabitants. Another threat is desertification of coastal territories. Desertification has many causes, connected with natural factors (climate change, droughts, frosts, sea-level rise ground water level) as well as anthropogenic factors (irrational nature utilization, extensive livestock pasture, pastures clogging, wood stock, uprooting of bushes, phytoamelioration, intensive of dry agriculture, regulation of river discharges, industrial and livestock pollution of territories, urbanization). Their consequences are soil contamination with oil, malfunctioning and unpredictability of the evolution of vegetation and top-soil, destruction of the environment of temporary habitat on the migration paths of birds and animals, soil erosion, salinization, malfunctioning of flooding of soil and vegetation in deltas and shoals of the rivers. Under the effect of human activity, destabilization of traditional nestling places and migration of many species of birds occurs, e.g. yellow Egyptian squacco, small white heron, brand geese, and white forehead geese. Decrease of natural habitat area and population density are observed. Near the borders of oil fields in the north-eastern part of the Caspian Sea, birds are observed 10 times frequently, than in natural desert landscapes. As a result of the mosaic human settlement, the integrity of nesting and forage areas is disrupted. Possible causes of adverse impact on biodiversity are linked both with local factors and transboundary processes. Transboundary factors are pollution transfer, regulation of river discharge and irrational utilization of nature. From the another hand, there is local impact on transboundary species of biota - fishes, birds, aquatic, and land animals. Disruption of their habitat, poaching with exceeds officially approved fisheries level, and deterioration habit lead to decline of total population and disappearance of some species. Among many other problems of biodiversity preservation, priority transboundary and transnational problems include preservation of sturgeon species, preservation of habitat for migratory and nesting birds, combating desertification of coastal areas, land prevention of contamination of the Caspian Sea. Priority issues on biodiversity preservation include a complex set of problems. The first issue is qualification of the entire biotic complex of the Caspian Sea and coastal territories. Data available at the present time are unsystematic and describe separate areas of the sea with varying complexity. It is necessary to determine all rare or endangered species of biota, and to supplement Red Books of some littoral states. It is necessary to determine trends of ongoing biodiversity changes caused by natural and anthropogenic factors. There is an acute need to detect all local and regional risk factors for biota and habitats. Development of special measures for sturgeon preservation is needed, including reduction of poaching activity, increased artificial reproduction, and amelioration of spawning areas. It is necessary to undertake efforts for rehabilitation of historical commercial populations including Caspian salmon and herring. Rational water consumption and water discharge from water reservoirs consistent with natural river hydrographic play an important role for creating favorable environmental conditions for fish spawning and birds nesting in deltas of the rivers. It is essential to develop a legal framework, defining priorities of water resource utilization for the sake of biodiversity preservation. Existing protected territories play an important role in conservation of biodiversity of the Caspian Sea. It is necessary to define the status of existing protected areas and their biota, especially those having transboundary importance, and to consider need for increasing the status of existing territories and creation of new territories. For preservation of species diversity of coastal flora and fauna, special programs for integrated management of coastal areas must be developed to minimize anthropogenic destruction of habitat, malfunctioning of soil and desertification. One of the factors facilitating biodiversity preservation is improvement of environmental education and awareness in the Caspian region, so the inhabitants feel responsibility for nature conservation. Significant constrains on biodiversity preservation are existing social and economic conditions in the region. Their improvement will allow development of alternative types of production and technologies enabling reduction of anthropological load on adjacent territories, and more rational utilization of aquatic and coastal bioresources. At the same time, there should be developed and implemented economic leverage aimed at reduction of pollution, rational nature utilization, and encouragement of application of "clean technologies". It is necessary to develop legal frameworks and standards which would be common for all riparian states, harmonization of existing legal acts with the Convention on Biological Diversity, and basic national laws on nature protection. This overview does not purport to cover all problems. This list will be supplemented in the course of our workshop as well as further work from the National Reports and in the process of drafting TDA. All priority issues on biodiversity preservation should be reflected in the Priority Investment Portfolio and development of strategic and national action plans. |