UNDP-GEF Project Writeups

UNDP-GEF PROJECT WRITEUPS

A partnership funded by GEF and implemented by UNDP

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Basic Project INFO

FOCAL AREA:
Biodiversity
PROJECT TITLE:
Biodiversity Conservation and sustainable natural resource management in Algeria
PROJECT NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
PROJECT STATUS:
PROJECT DOWNLOAD (WORD)

Biodiversity Conservation and sustainable natural resource management in Algeria

Facts and figures

The overall goal of this project was to conserve and sustainably use globally significant biodiversity, and to fight against land degradation in three priority natural reserves (Taghit-wilaya, Mergueb-wilaya, and Oglat Ed Daïra-wilaya . Although the sites were established as natural reserves by the government of Algeria during the mid 1980s government resources had not been sufficient to meet proper conservation and management needs.

The natural areas in these regions have traditionally been used by nomadic populations, practicing extensive livestock grazing (sheep, goats and camels). In modern times the destabilization of traditional societies has resulted in land use practices that disrupt ecological balances. Climate change over the past 30 years has increased and accelerated this disruption, producing a degradation of ecosystems and the extinction of remarkable species. Other species such as the Atlas pistachio tree, acacias, gazelles, the audad and the cheetah were already on the IUCN Red List and becoming very rare in these areas.

The project sites are located in the arid and semi-arid zones of Algeria which cover three-quarters of the country. These areas consist of steppe zones (covering a total area of 200,000 km 2 , with rainfall ranging from 100 to 500 mm/year and a dry season of six to nine months) and Saharan areas (characterized by a total rainfall of less than 100 mm/year and year-round drought). In these harsh environments, a broad diversity of globally significant ecosystems has developed; characterized by flora and fauna with numerous endemic and threatened species.

These sites harbor a high plant and animal diversity. The Taghit reserve has four locally-threatened species of wildlife, three regionally-threatened species, and five globally threatened. The Algerian mountain gazelle and the striped hyena are endemic to the Mergueb reserves, and are on the IUCN Red List. The Naâma reserve has over 24 global significant plant and animal species, some of which are extremely endangered due to intensified anthropogenic pressures.

Project description

The overall goal of this project was to conserve and sustainably use globally significant biodiversity, and to fight against land degradation in three priority natural reserves in Taghit, Mergueb and Oglat Ed Daira. The immediate objectives were two-fold: to promote biodiversity conservation; and to promote sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resource management in the reserves' buffer zones.

The project was implemented in close cooperation with local populations. S ince both stakeholders and project staff members in the three reserves have had little training or experience in protected area management and biodiversity conservation, a project priority was to address the capacity-building at each site, including staff, grassroots community associations, broader local communities and authorities.

SELECTED PROJECT ACTIVITIES/RESULTS

The limits of the three protected areas were increased from 113,000 to 260,000 ha after experts used remote sensing site mapping to identify the areas needed to protect endangered biodiversity. More than 30 animal and plant species were protected as a result of the project and 20ha of land was fenced to allow regeneration of local flora. Another 50 ha was sown with local grass species.
Management plans drawn up for each site also benefited from the use of site mapping.
Particular attention was paid to strengthening the capacities of NGOs in the areas of preservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and prevention of soil erosion and land degradation. The project worked closely with CNOA/RIOD - the national committee of Algerian NGOs - to improve their operating and information-exchange capacities and ensure that they were fully involved in future biodiversity projects.
Rapid ecological surveys and basic studies for the elaboration of the legal status of each site were undertaken.
The project partnered with the National Agency of Nature Conservation to collect scientific data for the assessment of local fauna and flora.
A total of ten watering points were established at the sites in 2004 to provide water for wild fauna, especially gazelles. Rehabilitation of watering points, and planting of local flora, will contribute to adaptation to climate change in coming years when the vegetation will cover the desert areas.
A study was made of species suitable for the rehabilitation of tracts and 150 hectares of tracks since have been planted and rehabilitated. On going activities include the replanting of 5000 ha.
To halt uncontrolled access by local shepherds grazing of animals 150 hectare fenced reserve was created in Margueb in 2003. Although it is too early to gather confirming evidence, experts believe there has been an increase of numbers for some rare species including gazels and atriplex.
A centre for environmental documentation and education was created.

Community

A local steering committee was formed for each site as well as a national committee for the project. The committees are now working independently and helping coordinate the activities of local civil society organizations and NGOs at each site to encourage local governance for natural resources conservation and sustainable use
Local populations have actively participated in the project through local area committees and the workshops they organize. It was estimated that 40 percent of the local population became involved with the project. They helped in formulating management plans and assisting experts to define the limits of the new protected areas. The association of livestock breeders, owners of family lands and farmers' associations were involved in the development of management plans, in particular the mapping of threats to the site.
Improvements in the rangelands, rehabilitation of local flora and the creation of protected areas created greater support for the project from herders and breeders, a new interest in local plants from the population and an opportunity to draw the attention to the disadvantaged areas.

Legal

The Magueb site was given the legal status of protected area in 2004 followed by Oglat Daira and Taghit in 2005.
The Wilayas of Becher, Naama and M'sila issued proclamations to help publicize the new legal status of the Taghit, Oglat Daira and Megueb sites. The Wilaya of Becher also helped the project complete a waste water treatment facility at the Taghit site.

Communications

After an assessment had been made of local NGOs' capacity to host an IT network, the project purchased the equipment needed to produce a website and newsletter. Four copies of the newsletter (1,000 copies each) were produced along with educational materials (including 5,000 copies of a poster on desertification for distribution in schools, universities and other institutions) and a guide to local species and their habits which was in production as the project closed.
The project website was established in 2004. More than 1,000 enquiries were registered on the site in its first year.

Training

A training workshop on 'Principles to combat desertification' in 2003 attracted 30 participants from local NGOs and local civil society.
Five training workshops on awareness were organized in 2004. In 2005 two workshops were held targeting 60 people from NGOs, civil society and local sectors

Partners etc

Co-financing partners include:

Government of Algeria: http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/dz.html
International Fund for Agricultural Development: http://www.ifad.org
NGO-RIOD Network ( International Network of Non-Governmental Organizations against Desertification (RIOD) http://www.unsystem.org/ngls/documents/publications.en/voices.africa/number6/vfa6.07.htm
and Local Communities
French Embassy in Algeria: http://www.ambafrance-dz.org/
Fonds Canadien des Initiatives Locales (FCIL): http://www.dfaitmaeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/algeria/aid_development_2-fr.asp

Implementing partners include:
National Agency of Nature Conservation http://www.interenvironment.org/wd4countries/algeria.htm
,Wilayas of Bechar, Naama and M'sila,
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: http://www.minagri-algeria.org/

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