Global & European Strategies for Plant Conservation
ESPC Target 5
Protection of 50% of
the most important areas for plant diversity
assured by 2010
TARGET 5. PROTECTING & CONSERVING IMPORTANT PLANT AREAS (IPAS)
Information: The GSPC defines IPAs as areas identified according to criteria including endemism, species richness, and/or uniqueness of habitat, including relict ecosystems, and taking into account the provision of ecosystem services. They would be identified primarily at the national and local level.
In Europe a set of criteria for identifying IPAs ( Anderson, 2002) has been used and tested in programmes across Europe. To date more than 15 countries have been actively engaged in IPA identification projects and more than 1000 IPAs identified. Many of these sites fall within the EU Natura 2000 Network and the Bern Convention’s Emerald Network. Information on the IPAs identified so far are available on the online IPA database (www.plantlifeipa.org/guest.asp) In the UK specific methods have been defined for identifying Important Fungus Areas, Important Lichen Areas, Important Algae Areas, and Important Arable Plant Areas. In Spain and the Mediterranean the Plant Micro-Reserves Project has been very successful in identifying, managing and protecting small populations of endemic species. Wetlands International hosts the database of RAMSAR sites, wetlands of international importance. The European Cooperative Programme on Plant Genetic Resources plans to identify 25 plant genetic reserves under target 9. The focus of IPA work in Europe will move towards effective management, protection, the connectivity of the network and habitat restoration where practical.
Targets: (for details of lead partners download pdf of ESPC)
GSPC target
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Protection of 50% of the most important areas for plant diversity assured by 2010. |
ESPC 5.1 |
All countries implement a national strategy (action framework) by 2014 for the conservation of IPAs (or equivalent programme with a focus on site-based conservation on plants, fungi, and their habitats, including genetic reserves for crop wild relatives. |
| ESPC 5.1a | IPA Identification programmes (or equivalent programmes with a focus on plants and fungi and their habitats) completed in 100% of European countries by 2014. |
ESPC 5.1b |
At least 50% of IPAs legally protected through national protected area systems and regional strategies such as EU Natura 2000 AND at least 50% under appropriate management (which could be passive or active depending on conservation need). |
Actions to mitigate the effects of climate change: Increased connectivity of important sites for plant and fungi diversity to allow for migration of species and to prevent isolation of populations. Publicising methods and case studies for improving connectivity of plant sites. |
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European Projects/Databases/Organisations:
Organisations |
Project/Database (DB)/Aims |
Online DB |
The Bern Convention and the Emerald Network |
Pan-European Convention and network to identify key nature conservation sites. (http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/conventions/bern/default_en.asp) |
|
The EC Habitats Directive and the Natura 2000 Network |
EU Legislation and framework for conservation of key nature sites, criteria include plant species and habitats of European importance. (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm) |
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ECPGR – On Farm & In Situ Network |
European Cooperative Programme on Plant Genetic Diversity - project to identify 25 genetic reserves for crop wild relatives |
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EUROSITE |
Network of conservation organisations in Europe, including public bodies, private organisations and NGOs, activities include site management and implementation of Natura 2000. |
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Generalitat Valenciana |
Plant Micro-Reserves - Initiative to protect & manage small in situ plant populations – originated in Valencia, Spain but now being adopted in many Mediterranean countries – Information from the Plant Micro-reserves Blog http://microreserve.blogspot.com/ & Original methods in E. Laguna Lambreras, 2001, Council of Europe Environment & Nature Series 121 |
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IUCN-WCPA ( Europe) |
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas ( Europe) – Network of protected area expertise, includes databases and best practice guides for management. (http://cms.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_work/wcpa_regions/wcpa_europeregion/) |
yes |
PEEN |
The Pan-European Ecological Network – Pan-European Project under the Bern Convention and the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS) – aims to links core sites through the restoration and conservation of corridors (http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/Regional/EcoNetworks/PEEN_en.asp#TopOfPage) |
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Plantlife International & national IPA partners |
IPA methods and projects in European countries and on-line database of sites, including threats, species and habitats www.plantlife.org.uk and http://www.plantlifeipa.org/reports.asp |
yes |
The RAMSAR Convention and Wetlands International in Europe |
The RAMSAR Convention on wetlands of international importance – database of RAMSAR sites in Europe and the rest of the world maintained by Wetlands International. |
yes |
Link to case-studies/tool kits: (.pdf)
- IPA Methodology in Europe
- Medicinal Plants in the Himalayas
- Methodologies for fungi, algae, lichens and arable plant IPAs
- IPAs in the Altai-Sayan Eco-region (Russian Federation)
- Plant Micro Reserve Methodology
- Boundaries and Zones of Opportunity for Restoration (Wales)
- IPANet – IPA site guardians in Turkey
International Projects :
- IPAs in Southern Africa - SABONET
- IPAs in South East Asia
- IPAs in South America – conservation conference