Download WWF GLOBAL 200 APROACH

WWF GLOBAL 200 APROACH
ECOREGION CONSERVATION FOR FRESHWATER AND TERRESTIAL
ECOSYSTEM
• An approach for biodiversity conservation at large scales
What is an Ecoregion?
An ecoregion is defined as a large area of land or water that contains a geographically
distinct assemblage of natural communities that:
(a) share a large majority of their species and ecological dynamics;
(b) share similar environmental conditions, and;
(c) interact ecologically in ways that are critical for their long-term persistence.
Ecoregions
• Biodiversity ignores national and other
political boundaries, so a more relevant
conservation planning unit is required
• WWF addresses this need with ecoregions.
Freshwater ecoregions
• Are based primarily on the historic
distribution of fresh water species
Why should we use ecoregion planning
Ecoregion enable;
• An analysis of ecological process that shape and maintain patterns of biodiversity
• The consideration of wide ranging species or that require large area habitat
• The representation of all naturally occurring biological communities within a
system of protected or managed areas
• A coherent analysis of threats to biodiversity operating across the whole entire
ecoregion rather than ad hoc site by site basis
• identification of key species and places for conservation investment
• A better understanding of the role of specific projects can and should play in long
term biodiversity conservation
What is an ecoregion
The Conservation Science Program has identified;
- 825 terrestrial ecoregions across the globe, and
- a set of 426 freshwater ecoregions has just been
completed.
- WWF has recently launched an analogous global
framework of 229 coast and shelf marine
ecoregions in collaboration with The Nature
Conservancy.
Priority Ecoregions
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WWF has assessed these ecoregions and identified the Global 200 -- the most
biologically distinct terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecoregions of the planet.
This global assessment has been built in part through a series of more
detailedregional assessments that the Conservation Science Program continues to
undertake.
What is ecoregion conservation?
The cornerstone of ecoregion conservation is biodiversity vision
The vision is built around conservation targets:
• Distinct communities, habitats, and species assemblages
• Large expanses of intact habitats , and intact biotas
• Keystone habitats, species ,and processes
• Other species of specially concern
• Large -scale ecological phenomena
Representation- capturing the full range of biodiversity of a biogeographic unit
within a system of protected –is a key component of ecoregion conservation
How to develop a biodiversity vision?
A vision is builds on the findings of a biological assessment
A biological assessment is a record of the distribution of:
• Species, communities, and habitats in the ecoregion
• Ecological process sustaining that biodiversity; and
• Current and future threats to its maintanance
See map showing a simplified biological assessment
Primary distinguishing features of ecoregions conservation for
fresh water systems
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Mantaining connectivity within and between aquatic habitats, conectivity with the
riparian zone and flood plains, and conectivity with subtearan system is essential
Because aquatic habitats are linked, focusing solely on the protection of discrete
sites will be generally an in complete solution to developing a bidiversity vision
The recovery of disturbed habits can depend on the presence of adjacent or
connected undisturbed habitats – called spatial refugia-that can save a a source
of recolonisation.
Within a basin, effects, effects of land based activities are propagetad downhill ,
and downstream and downstream impacts can propagate upstream
A vision must aim to protect hydrologicla process operating over large spatial
scales. In alterd systems this may include alteration of local hydrograph