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Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China Fion Cheung Conservation Officer (South China wetlands) Solutions for a living planet
Photo: © Bena Smith
Solutions for a living planet
Mai Po Nature
Reserve
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Wetland Management Training Programme
Solutions for a living planet
• Started in 1991
• Site managers and decision makers related to the management and conservation of wetlands along the EAA Flyway
• 8-day training at Mai Po Nature Reserve – Introduction of Ramsar; – Wetland management work in Mai Po; – Wetland monitoring; – Wetland restoration; – Preparation of wetland management plan
• ~150 per year
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Wetland Management Training Programme
Solutions for a living planet
• “The content of the training is good but the situation of our nature reserve is much more complicated than Mai Po…”
• “…don’t know whether I can use the knowledge directly in our site…”
• “Local communities living inside the nature reserve burden our wetland management work…”
• “We face difficulties in dealing with the local government and local communities…”
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
HSBC/WWF South China Wetlands Project
Solutions for a living planet
• Started in July 2005 • Models of wetland nature reserve in mainland China
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
HSBC/WWF South China Wetlands Project
Solutions for a living planet
• Started in July 2005 • Models of wetland nature reserve in mainland China
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Solutions for a living planet
Mai Po NR
Haifeng Bird Provincial NR
Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Importance of the sites
Solutions for a living planet
• Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway
1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) – Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province
2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) – >20,000 wintering waterbirds; – Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann’s
Greenshank, Purple Swamphen)
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Importance of the sites
Solutions for a living planet
• Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway
1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) – Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province
2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) – >20,000 wintering waterbirds; – Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann’s
Greenshank, Purple Swamphen)
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Importance of the sites
Solutions for a living planet
• Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway
1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) – Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province
2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) – >20,000 wintering waterbirds; – Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann’s
Greenshank, Purple Swamphen)
Black-faced Spoonbill
Purple Swamphen
Specific difficulties in Zhangjiang Estuary NR
Solutions for a living planet
• About 10,000 people living in 2 villages next to the NR
• Human disturbance – Harvesting mudflat products (razor clam); – Intensive aquaculture on mudflat
• Unwise use of mudflat– Env. unfriendly aquaculture method
Co-management + Alternative income
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey - Great economic dependency on the mudflat in terms of razor clam raising; - Key source of human disturbance
Step 2: Review the current razor clam raising practices and techniques on mudflat - Bring a lot of human disturbance; - Use of env. harmful insecticide (Triazophos)
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey - Great economic dependency on the mudflat in terms of razor clam raising; - Key source of human disturbance
Step 2: Review the current razor clam raising practices and techniques on mudflat - Bring a lot of human disturbance; - Use of env. harmful insecticide (Triazophos)
Step 3: Explore more sustainable ways in raising razor clam with lesser human disturbance - Raise razor clam in ponds
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 4: Organize study tours to other razor clam pond- raising sites - learn skills and techniques to improve the income
Step 5: Publication of Razor Clam Culture and the Control of Water Colour - Guide the pond-raising process
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 4: Organize study tours to other razor clam pond- raising sites - learn skills and techniques to improve the income
Step 5: Publication of Razor Clam Culture and the Control of Water Colour - Guide the pond-raising process
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 6: Stop the use of env. harmful insecticide Step 7: Replace it by substitute - Prove the effectiveness of the substitute by experiment; - Substitute: Better profit + faster recovery of benthos; - Regulation: Ban the use of the env. harmful one; - Promote the use of substitute in workshops
No harvest
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Alternative income
Solutions for a living planet
Step 1: Set up aquaculture experiments multi-trophic VS mono-trophic (crab)
Step 2: Organize training workshops about multi-trophic aquaculture
Step 3: Establish an Aquaculture Association - Exchange experience in operating the multi-trophic aquaculture ponds
>RMB5,000/acre RMB2,500 – 3,000/acre
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Alternative income
Solutions for a living planet
Step 1: Set up aquaculture experiments multi-trophic VS mono-trophic (crab)
Step 2: Organize training workshops about multi-trophic aquaculture
Step 3: Establish an Aquaculture Association - Exchange experience in operating the multi-trophic aquaculture ponds
>RMB5,000/acre RMB2,500 – 3,000/acre
Alternative income
Solutions for a living planet
Step 4: Apply for “Certificate of Non-harmful Aquaculture Products”
• Ecotourism
Unit price Income Multi-trophic
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Improve the living standard of local community
Solutions for a living planet
1: Develop garbage collection system 2: Build eco-friendly toilets
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Improve the living standard of local community
Solutions for a living planet
1: Develop garbage collection system 2: Build eco-friendly toilets
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Improve the living standard of local community
Solutions for a living planet
1: Develop garbage collection system 2: Build eco-friendly toilets
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Importance of the sites
Solutions for a living planet
• Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway
1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) – Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province
2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) – >20,000 wintering waterbirds; – Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann’s Greenshank,
Purple Swamphen); – 3 separated parts; – Traditional operation method of aquaculture ponds is beneficial to
both human and wildlife
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Importance of the sites
Solutions for a living planet
• Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway
1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) – Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province
2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) – >20,000 wintering waterbirds; – Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann’s Greenshank,
Purple Swamphen); – 3 separated parts; – Traditional operation method of aquaculture ponds is beneficial to
both human and wildlife
Traditional operation method
Solutions for a living planet
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct Nov Dec
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
by Peter Yip
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Traditional operation method
Solutions for a living planet
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct Nov Dec
Harvesting
Draining
Sun baking
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Traditional operation method
Solutions for a living planet
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct Nov Dec
Harvesting
Draining
Sun baking
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Traditional operation method
Solutions for a living planet
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct Nov Dec
Harvesting
Draining
Sun baking
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Solutions for a living planet
Specific difficulties in Haifeng NR
Solutions for a living planet
Lian’anwei • No control right on land use
• Potential change of aquaculture method from the traditional one to the intensive one
Co-management
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey - Most families depend on aquaculture (traditional / intensive one) to make a living; - learn the skills from others or by themselves
Step 2: Set up a demonstration site to compare the economic benefits and env. impacts between:
Traditional method
Intensive aquaculture of crab and shrimp
Intensive shrimp monoculture VS VS
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Economic benefit (RMB/ha)
Risk Adverse environmental Impact
Traditional
Intensive (crab + shrimp)
Intensive shrimp monoculture
19,500 X
5,200 XX
27,800 XXX
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 3: Organize study tours to Mai Po NR - Introduce the wise use concept of wetlands; - Demonstrate how the traditional method is operated in Mai Po; - Learn about the certification of organic produce in HK
Step 4: Organize training workshops for pond operators - Promote the traditional method; - Techniques to improve the water quality in ponds
Step 5: Produce a documentary to promote the merits of the traditional method
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Co-management
Solutions for a living planet
Step 3: Organize study tours to Mai Po NR - Introduce the wise use concept of wetlands; - Demonstrate how the traditional method is operated in Mai Po; - Learn about the certification of organic produce in HK
Step 4: Organize training workshops for pond operators - Promote the traditional method; - Techniques to improve the water quality in ponds
Step 5: Produce a documentary to promote the merits of the traditional method
Specific difficulties in Haifeng NR
Solutions for a living planet
Step 6: Sending samples to check the quality of the produce raised by the traditional method
Step 7: Help promote the produce raised by the traditional method by producing leaflets
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Common difficulties faced by management bureau
Solutions for a living planet
• Lack of well-trained staff • Lack of a practical management plan • Low public awareness on wetland conservation
1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials; 5. Develop local green schools
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Common difficulties faced by management bureau
Solutions for a living planet
• Lack of well-trained staff • Lack of a practical management plan • Low public awareness on wetland conservation
1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials; 5. Develop local green schools
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Common difficulties faced by management bureau
Solutions for a living planet
• Lack of well-trained staff • Lack of a practical management plan • Low public awareness on wetland conservation
1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials; 5. Develop local green schools
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Common difficulties faced by management bureau
Solutions for a living planet
• Lack of well-trained staff • Lack of a practical management plan • Low public awareness on wetland conservation
1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities;
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Common difficulties faced by management bureau
Solutions for a living planet
• Lack of well-trained staff • Lack of a practical management plan • Low public awareness on wetland conservation
1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials;
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Common difficulties faced by management bureau
Solutions for a living planet
• Lack of well-trained staff • Lack of a practical management plan • Low public awareness on wetland conservation
1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials;
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Common difficulties faced by management bureau
Solutions for a living planet
• Develop local green schools
Long term protection of the two sites
Solutions for a living planet
• 2nd February 2008
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Conclusions
Solutions for a living planet
• Have a good understanding on the local situation, esp. socio-economic • Explore ways to use wetlands wisely • Engage the local people in the project • Raise public awareness and gain their support
Communication
Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China
Thank you
© 2010, WWF. All photographs used in this presentation are copyright protected and courtesy of the WWF-Canon Global Photo Network and the respective photographers.
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Solutions for a living planet Presentation to Suncheon International Conference on WLI and Wetland Conservation
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Photo: © Michel Roggo / WWF-Canon
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