GRASSLANDS UNDER THE RIO
CONVENTIONS’ OLBIGATIONS
Antofie M.M.1, Abrudan I.2, Popa B.2, Toza V.,3 Iagăru P.1.
Sand C.1, Ciortea G1., Ştefănescu R.
Grassland ecosystems are loosely defined as areas dominated by grasses
with few woody plants. Periodic drought, highly seasonal rainfall,
typical characteristics of natural grassland and savannah ecosystems
(Annex of the UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29, Convention on Biological Diversity) Diversity)
CBD
[1] Grasslands are ecosystem’
ecosystem’s types
[2] It is cited 15 times for all taken decisions up to 2008 (Bonn
(Bonn
COP 9).
[3] Important for conservation and sustainable use. SBSTTA
has got into their own modus operandi to address the subject
(Annex II of UNEP/CBD/4/16). Based on the Decision of the
UNEP/CBD/5/23 which takes into consideration options for
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in
dryland,
dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-semi-arid, grassland and
savannah ecosystems at point no. 1 it establishes a
programme of work on the biological diversity of dryland,
dryland,
Mediterranean, arid, semi-
semi-arid, grassland, and savannah
ecosystems, which may also be known as the programme on
"dry and sub-
sub-humid lands", bearing in mind the close linkages
between poverty and loss of biological diversity in these
areas. Part of the Pollinator’
Pollinator’s Initiative (Annex II of the
UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20) and also part of productive
ecosystems according to Appendix 3.
Target 4: At least 10% of each of the world’
world’s ecological
regions effectively conserved of the UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20
states that about 10% of the land surface is currently covered
by protected areas. This decision clearly request to the Parties
to (i) increase the representation of different ecological
regions in protected areas and (ii) increasing the effectiveness
of protected areas among which are mentioned also
grasslands. Effective conservation is understood to mean that
the area is managed to achieve a favorable conservation
status for plant species and communities. Various approaches
are available for use in the identification of ecological regions,
regions,
based on major vegetation types. Target 6: At least 30 per
cent of production lands managed consistent with the
conservation of plant diversity for which the decisions
required to the Parties that higher targets are appropriate for
natural or semi-
semi-natural forests and grasslands.The decision
UNEP/CBD/COP/7/21 request to the Parties among others to
share experience also regarding grasslands on the clearing
house mechanisms. Grasslands natural and seminatural
are a subject for conservation and sustainable use
monitoring.
monitoring. Requesting to the Parties data availability and to
reveal the used methodology and standards (annex V of the
decision UNEP/CBD/8/15). Parties are invited to identify
opportunities to deliver multiple benefits for carbon
sequestration, and biodiversity conservation and
sustainable use in a range of ecosystems including
peatlands,
peatlands, tundra and grasslands (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29).
R.4, Pop D.4,
1 “University Lucian Blaga from Sibiu,
Sibiu, Romania
2 “University Transilvania”
Transilvania” from Brasov,
Brasov, Romania
3 “Access Advisory Group SRL", Bucharest, Romania
4 “University of Ecology”
Ecology” Bucharest, Romania
grasses (Graminaceae
(Graminaceae)) or grass-
grass-like plants
rainfall, fire and grazing by large herbivores are
ecosystems
UNFCCC UNCDD
[1] Generally grassland ecosystem is used in close
conjunction with forests, croplands and wetlands.
Synergies between the Rio Conventions
1] Grassland is an ecosystem type
[2] It is cited 105 times for all taken decisions up to 2009
(Copenhagen COP 15). [2] It is cited over 25 times for all taken decisions under
[3] Importance: monitoring for GHG emissions: CO2 UNCCD up to 2009).
sink (FCCC/CP/1996/15/Add.1), CO2 emission, CO2 [3] Important for combating desertification,
removal, CH4, NO2, CO and NOX. (tab.le conservation and sustainable use. use.
(tab.le 1 of
FCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.2). Starting with 2003 land covered ICCD/COP(3)/9: UNEP 1999, Attention paid by the SBSTA
by grassland is for the first time separately treated in the through the study entitled “Assessment of the status and
trends and options for conservation and sustainable use of
context of LULUCF (Annex 1 of FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1).
Land conversion to grassland and from grassland to other terrestrial biological diversity: dryland,
dryland, Mediterranean, arid,
semi-
semi-arid, grassland and savannah ecosystems”
ecosystems”
options (table 5 C FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1) such as forest,
(UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/7). Decision IV/16, annex II, is
cropland, wetland, settlements. Organic soils and mineral
soils characterization for the grassland (table 5 (III) focused on “Dryland,
Dryland, Mediterranean, Arid, Semi-
Semi-arid,
Grassland and Savannah Ecosystems”
Ecosystems”.
FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1) moreover for Limestone CaCO3
and Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2. 1996 IPCC Guidelines and ICCD/COP(6)/4 Annex Joint work programme between
the secretariat of the convention on biological diversity
should include information on how it calculated totals for
forest and grassland conversion. All data reported should and the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to
be consistent with recommendations of Intergovernmental Combat Desertification on the biological diversity of
dry and sub-sub-humid lands. At its fifth meeting, the
Panel on Climate Change Good Practice Guidance for
Land Use, Land- Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological
Land-Use Change and Forestry.
Forestry.
(FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/8/Add.1) Advice (SBSTTA), prepared a programme of work on the
biological diversity of dryland,
dryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi-
semi-
arid, grassland and savannah ecosystems for the
consideration of the Conference of the Parties at its fifth
meeting (recommendation V/8, annex) and recommended
that the Conference of the Parties should request the
Executive Secretary to collaborate with the Secretariat of
the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in
the implementation of the programme of work, including
through the development of a joint work programme
between the two conventions. This was emphasized by the
Conference of the Parties in its decision VI/4.
REMARKS
[1] According to the recent draft NBSAP data, provided by the National
National Institute for Statistics,
Romania accomplished the 4th and the 6th targets of the of UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20 decision but
still little information exists concerning the biodiversity of the
the grasslands and especially the trends
of biodiversity conservation. [2] Romania was not able to properly respond to the grassland
conservation status requests under the UNFCCC as the survey at the the national level according to
the CBD and KP was not realized and therefore the chapter 5C of the LULUCF is not presented
according to the KP’ KP’s Decisions requirements. [3] Romania NFP for CBD, UNFCCC and UNCCD
should further cooperate in reporting to the Secretariat of the Conventions for ensuring the
coherency of data providing and creating valuable inputs for reporting
reporting also under the European
Landscape Convention. These NFP should integrate their work in close close cooperation with the
Government’ programme of work. [4] Knowing before monitoring!
Government’ monitoring! Developing: [i] surveys, [ii]
assessments [iii] monitoring and [iv] management capacities for grassland resilience maintenance
through [v] sustainable farming system, restoration, reintroduction,
reintroduction, rehabilitation and remediation
projects’ actions! Involving local communities and scientists is the successful key in the
projects’
ecosystem or landscape approach. [5] Even high nature value grasslands in Romania are
recognized at the European Level, the landscape units are not officially recognized in our
country according to the requirements of the Florence’
Florence’s Convention on Landscape and
quantifiable indicators should be developed on a case by case basis basis depending on the
farming applied system.
system. Moreover specific attention should be paid in the near future to fulfill the
Rio Conventions obligations and more emphasis on this type of grasslands should be put in
place for future environment negotiations.
negotiations.
To maintain the HNV grasslands we should develop new financial mechanisms
mechanisms for
balancing the cooperation between socio-
socio-economical development and biodiversity
conservation benefits.