Submitted by
masumbukob
on Tue, 11/05/2024 - 19:26
General Information
Resolution
49148
Period covered
Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
| Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec | Activities Overview | Description | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific/technical activities | The great bustard (Otis tarda), the heaviest flying bird and a symbol of grassland ecosystems, has experienced a sharp decline in numbers due to intensive industrial agriculture, habitat destruction, and hunting pressures. In Türkiye, it is estimated that only around 600 individuals remain, with an estimated global population of 30,000. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently upgraded the species' conservation status from Vulnerable (VU) to Endangered (EN), highlighting the urgent need for increased conservation efforts. We conducted an extensive study on the lesser-known habitats of the great bustard in Central Anatolia, identifying the presence of the species in several areas. A scientific paper detailing our findings in the Acıgöl Basin was published in the OSME Journal. | On-going | Full activity report | |
| Scientific/technical activities | The report on the impact of eucalyptus trees on biodiversity has been published for Türkiye. Eucalyptus trees, which originate from Australia, are among the invasive plant species that, when introduced to non-native environments, rapidly spread and exert pressure on local ecosystems. These trees were planted in various wetlands across Türkiye in the past, mainly for mosquito control purposes, but they have since caused negative effects on water cycles and biodiversity. The Gediz Delta, located in Izmir, is a prime example of this issue, where eucalyptus trees, known for their high water consumption, have rapidly depleted freshwater resources, placing pressure on pasture areas and temporary wetlands. This situation has affected not only the plant life but also the organisms living in the delta, soil organisms, and small-scale livestock dependent on the ecosystem. To protect water resources and restore the ecosystem of the Gediz Delta, it is necessary to remove eucalyptus trees in a controlled manner, restore native vegetation, and monitor groundwater, surface water, soil structure, and biodiversity through scientific methods during the restoration process. Wetlands are critical habitats not only for waterfowl but for numerous other species. To resolve the issues caused by incorrect practices and restore natural processes in sensitive ecosystems like the Gediz Delta, it is essential to take the right steps. This report, prepared with expert contributions, discusses the impact of eucalyptus trees on biodiversity and water resources, and offers recommendations to reduce these effects in the Gediz Delta. |
Completed | Full activity report | |
| Field activities | This is Year 1 of a 5 year IKI project entitled: Safeguarding overlooked Ecosystems: Protect, Manage and Restore Grasslands and Savannahs in Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay through multisectoral engagement and knowledge-sharing The goals of the project for Argentina are: 37,000 additional hectares of savanna and grassland ecosystems under (improved) protection, sustainable management or under restoration within the intervention areas (Bahia Samborombón in Buenos Aires province, and Bajos Submeridionales in Santa Fe province). -20,000 ha. Protection -16,000 ha. Management -1,000 ha. under restoration processes. |
On-going | Full activity report | |
| Policy influencing/advocacy | In collaboration with our partner IUCN, we are promoting elevating the profile of grasslands and savannas at the (inter)national political level and communicated. Target: 10 proposals submitted to international conventions and/or national authorities. To this end, we co-organized a side event at COP16 in Cali, Colombia. |
_none | Full activity report | |
| Scientific/technical activities | In collaboration with our partner Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), we are supporting the production of scientific evidence on the importance of grasslands and savannas for biodiversity conservation that is used by relevant stakeholders. Target: 24 publications accepted or published | On-going | Full activity report |
Actors involved from Activity Reports
| IUCN Members | IUCN Commissions | IUCN Secretariat | Other non-IUCN related organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
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Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
Report status
Published
I. IUCN Constituencies implementing this Resolution
IUCN Members
Fondo Mundial Para la Naturaleza (WWF Colombia) ( Colombia )
WWF - Deutschland ( Germany )
Association Naforé pour la Protection de l`Environnement ( Mauritania )
Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’Eau et de l'Assainissement ( Burkina Faso )
IUCN Commissions
IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management 2021-2025
IUCN Secretariat
Yes
Other non-IUCN related organisations
World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
II. Implementation
Activities carried out to implement this Resolution
Capacity-building
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
Field activities
Fundraising
Policy influencing/advocacy
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the activities
IUCNs engagement under the International Organizing Committee (IOC) of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) has convened grassland partners across the globe who are currently advocating for increased recognition of grasslands and rangelands within the conventions including the UNFCCC, UNCCD and the CBD. A scientific policy brief 'Global action for sustainable rangelands and pastoralism to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)"
directed to UNCCD parties has been completed and will be shared with the parties on multiple platforms beginning with the CRIC 21, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
In 2024, the above policy brief was further developed and designed and published on the IYRP website. The different "calls on action" addressed to the UNCCD COP will be disseminated during the UNCCD COP in Riyadh to raise awaress about the importance to restore grasslands and rangelands for multiple benefits, and increase action, commitment and investment for grassland restoration.
In parallel, the GEF project STELARR, implemented by IUCN and executed by ILRI, contributes to address sustainable investment of rangelands through the development of sustainable rangeland producst and other value chains. The project organised a workshop in October 2024 to share ideas and provide inputs in the ongoing efforts of developing value chains, rangeland management standards, and integrated rangeland monitoring systems.
The PRAGA methodology to assess rangeland and grassland health, developed by IUCN and FAO, is a monitoring tool that considers both locally determined indicators (local land users perspectives) and the results from the remote sensing. The tool helps improve the quality of assessments because of the participatory aspect, and provides useful information for decision making. The tool was presented, and promoted during several events, including the regional workshop for East Africa and Central Asia of the Dryland sustainable landscape impact programme that focuses on grassland management regarding those two regions.
Finally, at the upcoming UNCCD COP, IUCN and partners organized events that specifically adress grassland restoration, including a high level event with selected country Parties to increase commitment for grassland restoration.
directed to UNCCD parties has been completed and will be shared with the parties on multiple platforms beginning with the CRIC 21, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
In 2024, the above policy brief was further developed and designed and published on the IYRP website. The different "calls on action" addressed to the UNCCD COP will be disseminated during the UNCCD COP in Riyadh to raise awaress about the importance to restore grasslands and rangelands for multiple benefits, and increase action, commitment and investment for grassland restoration.
In parallel, the GEF project STELARR, implemented by IUCN and executed by ILRI, contributes to address sustainable investment of rangelands through the development of sustainable rangeland producst and other value chains. The project organised a workshop in October 2024 to share ideas and provide inputs in the ongoing efforts of developing value chains, rangeland management standards, and integrated rangeland monitoring systems.
The PRAGA methodology to assess rangeland and grassland health, developed by IUCN and FAO, is a monitoring tool that considers both locally determined indicators (local land users perspectives) and the results from the remote sensing. The tool helps improve the quality of assessments because of the participatory aspect, and provides useful information for decision making. The tool was presented, and promoted during several events, including the regional workshop for East Africa and Central Asia of the Dryland sustainable landscape impact programme that focuses on grassland management regarding those two regions.
Finally, at the upcoming UNCCD COP, IUCN and partners organized events that specifically adress grassland restoration, including a high level event with selected country Parties to increase commitment for grassland restoration.
Challenges/obstacles encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and measures taken
There is still limited investments in grassland restoration globally and although they there is overwhelming evidence of their importance, decision-makers are not paying enough attention to their sustainable management which is leading to increased vulnerability in these systems which is exacerbated by climate change.
Future actions / activities needed for the implementation of this Resolution
Research - more information needs to be collected to establish the state of global rangeland and where priority action needs to be taken
Policy influencing and advocacy - through capacity building and better communication to decision-makers to pay attention to grasslands especially when developing restoration policies and actions
Investment - The gap of investment in restoration can be bridged by harnessing the participation of private sector. The knowledge and guidelines on private sector engagement will be key to achieving impact.
Continue to invest time, together with Partners (ILRI, WWF, WOCAT, FAO, and Countries) in the related platforms: rangeland and savannahs led by WWF, IYRP, etc, and strongly support the upcoming flagship programme on rangeland restoration that UNCCD will launch in 2026 during the UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia.
Policy influencing and advocacy - through capacity building and better communication to decision-makers to pay attention to grasslands especially when developing restoration policies and actions
Investment - The gap of investment in restoration can be bridged by harnessing the participation of private sector. The knowledge and guidelines on private sector engagement will be key to achieving impact.
Continue to invest time, together with Partners (ILRI, WWF, WOCAT, FAO, and Countries) in the related platforms: rangeland and savannahs led by WWF, IYRP, etc, and strongly support the upcoming flagship programme on rangeland restoration that UNCCD will launch in 2026 during the UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia.
Are these actions/activities planned?
Yes
III. Status of implementation
Implementation status of this Resolution
Underway: implementation well-advanced