8/8/2019 GRASSLANDS UNDER THE RIO CONVENTIONS OLBIGATIONS

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GRASSLANDS UNDER THE RIOGRASSLANDS UNDER THE RIO

CONVENTIONSCONVENTIONS OLBIGATIONSOLBIGATIONS

Grassland ecosystems are loosely defined as areas dominated by gGrassland ecosystems are loosely defined as areas dominated by grasses (rasses (GraminaceaeGraminaceae) or grass) or grass--like plantslike plants

with few woody plants. Periodic drought, highly seasonal rainfalwith few woody plants. Periodic drought, highly seasonal rainfall, fire and grazing by large herbivores arel, fire and grazing by large herbivores aretypical characteristics of natural grassland and savannah ecosystypical characteristics of natural grassland and savannah ecosystemstems

(Annex of the UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29, Convention on Biological Divers(Annex of the UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29, Convention on Biological Diversity)ity)

CBDCBD

[1] Grasslands are ecosystem[1] Grasslands are ecosystems typess types

[2] It is cited 15 times for all taken decisions up to 2008 (Bon[2] It is cited 15 times for all taken decisions up to 2008 (Bonnn

COP 9).COP 9).

[3] Important for conservation and sustainable use. SBSTTA[3] Important for conservation and sustainable use. SBSTTA

has got into their own modus operandi to address the subjecthas got into their own modus operandi to address the subject

(Annex II of UNEP/CBD/4/16). Based on the Decision of the(Annex II of UNEP/CBD/4/16). Based on the Decision of the

UNEP/CBD/5/23 which takes into consideration options forUNEP/CBD/5/23 which takes into consideration options for

conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity inconservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in

drylanddryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi, Mediterranean, arid, semi--arid, grassland andarid, grassland andsavannah ecosystems at point no. 1 it establishes asavannah ecosystems at point no. 1 it establishes a

programmeprogrammeof work on the biological diversity ofof work on the biological diversity ofdrylanddryland,,

Mediterranean, arid, semiMediterranean, arid, semi--arid, grassland, and savannaharid, grassland, and savannah

ecosystems, which may also be known as theecosystems, which may also be known as theprogrammeprogrammeonon

"dry and sub"dry and sub--humid lands", bearing in mind the close linkageshumid lands", bearing in mind the close linkages

between poverty and loss of biological diversity in thesebetween poverty and loss of biological diversity in these

areas. Part of the Pollinatorareas. Part of the Pollinators Initiative (Annex II of thes Initiative (Annex II of the

UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20) and also part of productiveUNEP/CBD/COP/6/20) and also part of productive

ecosystems according to Appendix 3.ecosystems according to Appendix 3.

Target 4:Target 4:At least 10% of each of the worldAt least 10% of each of the worlds ecologicals ecological

regions effectively conservedregions effectively conservedof the UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20of the UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20

states that about 10% of the land surface is currently coveredstates that about 10% of the land surface is currently covered

by protected areas. This decision clearly request to the Partiesby protected areas. This decision clearly request to the Parties

to (i) increase the representation of different ecologicalto (i) increase the representation of different ecological

regions in protected areas and (ii) increasing the effectivenessregions in protected areas and (ii) increasing the effectiveness

of protected areas among which are mentioned alsoof protected areas among which are mentioned also

grasslands. Effective conservation is understood to mean thatgrasslands. Effective conservation is understood to mean that

the area is managed to achieve a favorable conservationthe area is managed to achieve a favorable conservation

status for plant species and communities. Various approachesstatus for plant species and communities. Various approaches

are available for use in the identification of ecological regionare available for use in the identification of ecological regions,s,

based on major vegetation types. Target 6:based on major vegetation types. Target 6:At least 30 perAt least 30 per

cent of production lands managed consistent with thecent of production lands managed consistent with the

conservation of plant diversityconservation of plant diversityfor which the decisionsfor which the decisions

required to the Parties that higher targets are appropriate forrequired to the Parties that higher targets are appropriate for

natural or seminatural or semi--natural forests andnatural forests andgrasslands.Thegrasslands.Thedecisiondecision

UNEP/CBD/COP/7/21 request to the Parties among others toUNEP/CBD/COP/7/21 request to the Parties among others to

share experience also regarding grasslands on the clearingshare experience also regarding grasslands on the clearing

house mechanisms.house mechanisms. Grasslands natural andGrasslands natural andseminaturalseminatural

are a subject for conservation and sustainable useare a subject for conservation and sustainable use

monitoringmonitoring. Requesting to the Parties data availability and to. Requesting to the Parties data availability and to

reveal the usedreveal the usedmethodology and standardsmethodology and standards(annex V of the(annex V of the

decision UNEP/CBD/8/15).decision UNEP/CBD/8/15). Parties are invited to identifyParties are invited to identify

opportunities to deliver multiple benefits for carbonopportunities to deliver multiple benefits for carbon

sequestration, and biodiversity conservation andsequestration, and biodiversity conservation and

sustainable usesustainable usein a range of ecosystems includingin a range of ecosystems includingpeatlandspeatlands, tundra and grasslands (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29)., tundra and grasslands (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29).

UNFCCCUNFCCC

[1] Generally grassland ecosystem is used in close[1] Generally grassland ecosystem is used in close

conjunction with forests, croplands and wetlands.conjunction with forests, croplands and wetlands.

[2] It is cited 105 times for all taken decisions up to 2009[2] It is cited 105 times for all taken decisions up to 2009

(Copenhagen COP 15).(Copenhagen COP 15).

[3] Importance:[3] Importance:monitoring for GHG emissions: COmonitoring for GHG emissions: CO22

sink (FCCC/CP/1996/15/Add.1), COsink (FCCC/CP/1996/15/Add.1), CO22emission, COemission, CO22

removal, CHremoval, CH44, NO, NO22, CO and NO, CO and NOXX. (. (tab.letab.le1 of1 of

FCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.2). Starting with 2003 land coveredFCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.2). Starting with 2003 land covered

by grassland is for the first time separately treated in theby grassland is for the first time separately treated in the

context of LULUCF (Annex 1 of FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1).context of LULUCF (Annex 1 of FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1).Land conversion to grassland and from grassland to otherLand conversion to grassland and from grassland to other

options (table 5 C FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1) such as forest,options (table 5 C FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1) such as forest,

cropland, wetland, settlements. Organic soils and mineralcropland, wetland, settlements. Organic soils and mineral

soils characterization for the grassland (table 5 (III)soils characterization for the grassland (table 5 (III)

FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1) moreover for Limestone CaCOFCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1) moreover for Limestone CaCO33

and Dolomite CaMg(COand Dolomite CaMg(CO33))22. 1996 IPCC Guidelines and. 1996 IPCC Guidelines and

should include information on how it calculated totals forshould include information on how it calculated totals for

forest and grassland conversion. All data reported shouldforest and grassland conversion. All data reported should

be consistent with recommendations of Intergovernmentalbe consistent with recommendations of Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate ChangePanel on Climate ChangeGood Practice Guidance forGood Practice Guidance for

Land Use, LandLand Use, Land--Use Change and ForestryUse Change and Forestry..

(FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/8/Add.1)(FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/8/Add.1)

UNCDDUNCDD

Synergies between the Rio ConventionsSynergies between the Rio Conventions1] Grassland is an ecosystem type1] Grassland is an ecosystem type

[2] It is cited over 25 times for all taken decisions under[2] It is cited over 25 times for all taken decisions under

UNCCD up to 2009).UNCCD up to 2009).

[3][3]Important for combating desertification,Important for combating desertification,

conservation and sustainable useconservation and sustainable use..

ICCD/COP(3)/9: UNEP 1999, Attention paid by the SBSTAICCD/COP(3)/9: UNEP 1999, Attention paid by the SBSTA

through the study entitledthrough the study entitledAssessment of the status andAssessment of the status and

trends and options for conservation and sustainable use oftrends and options for conservation and sustainable use ofterrestrial biological diversity:terrestrial biological diversity:drylanddryland, Mediterranean, arid,, Mediterranean, arid,

semisemi--arid, grassland and savannah ecosystemsarid, grassland and savannah ecosystems

(UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/7). Decision IV/16, annex II, is(UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/7). Decision IV/16, annex II, is

focused onfocused onDrylandDryland, Mediterranean, Arid, Semi, Mediterranean, Arid, Semi--arid,arid,

Grassland and Savannah EcosystemsGrassland and Savannah Ecosystems..

ICCD/COP(6)/4 AnnexICCD/COP(6)/4 AnnexJoint workJoint workprogrammeprogrammebetweenbetween

the secretariat of the convention on biological diversitythe secretariat of the convention on biological diversity

and the secretariat of the United Nations Convention toand the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to

Combat Desertification on the biological diversity ofCombat Desertification on the biological diversity of

dry and subdry and sub--humid lands.humid lands. At its fifth meeting, theAt its fifth meeting, the

Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and TechnologicalSubsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological

Advice (SBSTTA), prepared aAdvice (SBSTTA), prepared aprogrammeprogrammeof work on theof work on the

biological diversity ofbiological diversity ofdrylanddryland, Mediterranean, arid, semi, Mediterranean, arid, semi--

arid, grassland and savannah ecosystems for thearid, grassland and savannah ecosystems for the

consideration of the Conference of the Parties at its fifthconsideration of the Conference of the Parties at its fifth

meeting (recommendation V/8, annex) and recommendedmeeting (recommendation V/8, annex) and recommended

that the Conference of the Parties should request thethat the Conference of the Parties should request the

Executive Secretary to collaborate with the Secretariat ofExecutive Secretary to collaborate with the Secretariat ofthe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification inthe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in

the implementation of thethe implementation of theprogrammeprogrammeof work, includingof work, including

through the development of a joint workthrough the development of a joint workprogrammeprogramme

between the two conventions. This was emphasized by thebetween the two conventions. This was emphasized by the

Conference of the Parties in its decision VI/4.Conference of the Parties in its decision VI/4.

REMARKSREMARKS

[1][1] According to the recent draft NBSAP data, provided by the NationAccording to the recent draft NBSAP data, provided by the National Institute for Statistics,al Institute for Statistics,

Romania accomplished the 4th and the 6th targets of the ofRomania accomplished the 4th and the 6th targets of the of UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20 decision butdecision but

still little information exists concerning the biodiversity of tstill little information exists concerning the biodiversity of the grasslands and especially the trendshe grasslands and especially the trends

of biodiversity conservation.of biodiversity conservation. [2][2] Romania was not able to properly respond to the grasslandRomania was not able to properly respond to the grassland

conservation status requests under the UNFCCC as the survey at tconservation status requests under the UNFCCC as the survey at the national level according tohe national level according to

the CBD and KP was not realized and therefore thethe CBD and KP was not realized and therefore the chapter 5C of the LULUCFchapter 5C of the LULUCF is not presentedis not presented

according to theaccording to the KPKPss Decisions requirements.Decisions requirements. [3][3] Romania NFP for CBD, UNFCCC and UNCCDRomania NFP for CBD, UNFCCC and UNCCD

should further cooperate in reporting to the Secretariat of theshould further cooperate in reporting to the Secretariat of the Conventions for ensuring theConventions for ensuring thecoherency of data providing and creating valuable inputs for repcoherency of data providing and creating valuable inputs for reporting also under the Europeanorting also under the European

Landscape Convention. These NFP should integrate their work in cLandscape Convention. These NFP should integrate their work in close cooperation with thelose cooperation with the

GovernmentGovernment programmeprogramme of work.of work. [4][4] Knowing before monitoringKnowing before monitoring! Developing: [i] surveys, [ii]! Developing: [i] surveys, [ii]

assessments [iii] monitoring and [iv] management capacities forassessments [iii] monitoring and [iv] management capacities for grassland resilience maintenancegrassland resilience maintenance

through [v] sustainable farming system, restoration, reintroductthrough [v] sustainable farming system, restoration, reintroduction, rehabilitation and remediationion, rehabilitation and remediation

projectsprojects actions! Involving local communities and scientistsactions! Involving local communities and scientists is the successful keyis the successful key in thein the

ecosystem or landscape approach.ecosystem or landscape approach. [5][5] Even high nature value grasslands in Romania areEven high nature value grasslands in Romania are

recognized at the European Level,recognized at the European Level, the landscape units are not officially recognized in ourthe landscape units are not officially recognized in our

countrycountryaccording to the requirements of the Florenceaccording to the requirements of the Florences Convention on Landscape ands Convention on Landscape and

quantifiable indicators should be developed on a case by case baquantifiable indicators should be developed on a case by case basis depending on thesis depending on the

farming applied systemfarming applied system. Moreover specific attention should be paid in the near future. Moreover specific attention should be paid in the near future to fulfill theto fulfill the

Rio Conventions obligations andRio Conventions obligations and more emphasis on this type of grasslands should be put inmore emphasis on this type of grasslands should be put in

place for future environment negotiationsplace for future environment negotiations..

To maintain the HNV grasslands we should develop new financial mTo maintain the HNV grasslands we should develop new financial mechanisms forechanisms forbalancing the cooperation between sociobalancing the cooperation between socio--economical development and biodiversityeconomical development and biodiversity

conservation benefits.conservation benefits.

AntofieAntofie M.M.M.M.11,, AbrudanAbrudan I.I.22,, PopaPopa B.B.22,, TozaToza V.,V.,33 IagruIagru P.P.11..

Sand C.Sand C.11,, CiorteaCiortea GG11.,., tefnescu Rtefnescu R..44, Pop D., Pop D.44,,

11 University Lucian Blaga from SibiuUniversity Lucian Blaga from Sibiu, Romania, Romania

22 UniversityUniversity TransilvaniaTransilvania fromfrom BrasovBrasov, Romania, Romania

33 Access Advisory Group SRL", Bucharest, RomaniaAccess Advisory Group SRL", Bucharest, Romania

44 University of EcologyUniversity of Ecology Bucharest, RomaniaBucharest, Romania