Strategy for the wise use of peatlands of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Daniel E. Blanco, Wetlands International Argentina

Transcription

1 Strategy for the wise use of peatlands of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Daniel E. Blanco, Wetlands International Argentina

2 Peatlands distribution Peatlands: 270,000 ha Island area: 12.5% Eastern sector: 88%

3 Tierra del Fuego peatlands Mires of Sphagnum spp. Age: years old Thick: 6-10 m Growing rate: 1 mm/year Important functions for regulating the local, regional and global climate, hydrology, and for sustaining biodiversity

4

5 Peatlands exploitation In the central part of the island (area of Tolhuin) peat extraction is the main threat to Sphagnum peatlands. Peat has been exploited for horticulture and gardening during the last 20 years, however the environmental condition of peatlands in general is good (except those areas under exploitation). This panorama has changed in recent years and demands for peatlands exploitation have increased significantly.

6 Project Strategy for the wise use of Peatlands of Tierra del Fuego Wetlands International Argentina Partners: FARN & Dirección de Recursos Hídricos / Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable y Ambiente de la Provincia de Tierra del Fuego. Donor: Wetlands and Poverty Reduction project (Wetlands International - DGIS) Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur República Argentina SECRETARÍA DE DESARROLLO SUSTENTABLE Y AMBIENTE

7 Project objective To contribute to the wise use of the Peatlands of Tierra del Fuego and to strengthen the capacity of Argentina as a Contracting Party of the Ramsar Convention-, to fulfil the obligations derived from the Ramsar Resolution VIII.17 Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands.

8 Ushuaia Workshop April participants from: Government (local and national) Peatlands experts (academia) Technical agencies (National Park Administration, INTA) Local and international NGOs Mining and tourism sectors Local communities and the media

9 Strategy for conservation and wise use The workshop resulted in the Ushuaia Statement 2008, which was signed by representatives from all involved sectors, being the basis for the development of the proposal of Strategy for the conservation and wise use of peatlands. The proposal of strategy was adopted by the provincial government and was used as a roadmap for de development of specific regulations to better manage peatland ecosystems.

10 Strategy for conservation and wise use 17 components (seven main components / priority ones). 1) Peatlands inventory 2) Moratorium 3) Environmental land planning (OAT) 4) Protection of high value areas 5) Regulation of peatland uses 6) Economic assessment / valuation of ES 7) Strategic environmental assessment (EAE)

11 Peatlands inventory Develop an inventory based on satellite images and considering existing inventories.

12 Moratorium Cessation of new concessions for peat exploitation for a specified period and until the Environmental land Planning is defined and adopted. The moratorium was in place from March 2009 until 2011, when the land planning resolution entered into force.

13 Environmental land planning (OAT) Advance the process of Environmental Land planning at legislative and administrative level: In Creation of the Mire Commission consisting of representatives from sectors of Mining, Environment, Protected Areas, Forests, Legal Affairs and Water Resources (coordination), to develop a "peatland management plan". In May Resolution 401 adopted, regarding Criteria for planning and zoning the peatlands in the province"

14 Zoning map A) Conservation areas B) Future use areas (30 y) C) Sacrifice areas

15 Protection of high value areas Conservation of peatlands of Rancho Hambre, Península Mitre and Andorra valley (urgent). Part of the Andorra Valley was designated as a Ramsar Site (Glaciar Vinciguerra y turberas asociadas). It includes several kinds of peatlands, glaciers rivers and lakes which provides fresh water for the Ushuaia city. It is the southernmost Ramsar Site in the world. Plans for the protection of the peatlands of Carbajal Valley.

16 Regulation of peatland uses Drafting the project for the conservation / regulation of the use of peatlands (zoning for conservation, different uses). The law should include recognition of the value of peatlands ecosystems and protecting them from the impact generated by various uses (livestock, wild cattle, mining use, fire, tourism, etc.). Regulation of peatland uses in covered by the Resolution 401 (May 2011) on Criteria for planning and zoning the peatlands in the province.

17 Main conclusion This project shows that the implementation of the Ramsar Resolution XIII.17, regarding Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands is possible and was done in Argentina, where 95% of the country peatlands are located in Tierra del Fuego, including the designation of a Ramsar Site.

18 How / lessons learned Importance of multidisciplinary work and knowledge development as basis for peatland management Leadership and strong personal commitments Strategic alliances with the public agencies in charge of natural resources management Partnership and participation of all sectors involved

19 Acnowledgements Thanks to Rodolfo Iturraspe and Adriana Urciuolo, Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego (Ushuaia, Argentina), who have lead the implementation of the strategy from the government of Tierra del Fuego. Also thanks for the materials they provided for this presentation.

20 Thank you