Challenges of Mountain Biodiversity Conservation and Management across the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region Andreas Schild 25 October 2010

Presentation outline Introduction and Importance of HKH region Impacts of climate change Vulnerabilities in the Eastern Himalayas ICIMOD’s biodiversity conservation and management approaches ICIMOD’s call for action

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu, Nepal Introduction and Importance of HKH Region

Exceptional Mountain Biodiversity Resources Four of 34 GBH; 6 UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites; 60 Ecoregions; 29 Ramsar Wetland Sites; 488 PAs (39%); 330 IBAs; 10% of global flowering plants and insects; 1200 bird species; Large number of endemics; >1000 live language; Conflicts & Poverty

Causes of Biodiversity loss Drivers of change Direct causes

Hotspots of Security Risks associated with Climate Change: The Asian Challenge Source:WBGU, 2007

Himalayas: Data Deficit Area … A data deficit area as stated by IPCC AR4

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu, Nepal Impacts of Climate Change

Impacts of CC in HKH Region- Glacier Mass Balance  Himalayan glaciers are shrinking more rapidly than elsewhere

Impacts of Climate Change- Imja Glacier, Nepal 2006 photograph of Imja glacier (Photo: Giovanni Kappenberger courtesy of Alton C Byers) 1956 photograph of Imja glacier (Photo: Fritz Muller; courtesy of Jack Ives)

Impact of Climate Change - Changes in Tibetan Plateau Source: ITP Research Glacier retreat Expansion of lakes Agricultur e Dried-up wetland Pastur e

Glaciers as complicated hydraulic systems

Impacts of CC : Water Induced Disasters In the village of Brep, Pakistan, houses and livelihoods were destroyed 2005 Assam, North East India – flood impact (sand casting)

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu, Nepal Vulnerabilities of Mountain Ecosystems in the EH

Most intensive irrigation depends largely on water from the Himalaya

Vulnerability assessment: Vulnerable areas from combined data

Ecosystem/habitats: Critical Ecosystems -Ephemeral habitats (seasonal) Riverine island ecosystems e.g. Majuli of Assam Wetlands (beels) and associated biodiversity Sub-alpine and alpine transition zones (ecotone) Sub-alpine and alpine meadows Transboundary areas Species: Endemic species (Mantesia, Panax, Ilex khasiana, Osbekia capitata, insectivorous plants), Brahmaputra dolphins, alpine species Genetic diversity: Upland variety of rice (dryland/wetland in the entire north-east), indigenous bean varieties, cucurbits, citrus Vulnerability assessment: Vulnerable entities

Catchment yield Erosion risk Water balance  Ch Körner

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu, Nepal ICIMOD’s Biodiversity Conservation and Management Approaches

Transboundary landscapes and transects Consistent and comparable data Co-location and network of centers for long- term monitoring on climate and ecological system Proper representation with latitudinal and longitudinal coverage

Kailash Sacred Landscape China-India-Nepal - Landscape Approach Addressing scientific uncertainties; Regional cooperation framework for research; Capacity building and information sharing

Brahmaputra-Salween and Kangchenjunga Landscapes – Corridors Approach in Landscape Management Promoting habitat connectivity among protected areas through conservation corridors

ICIMOD’s call for action Mainstreaming the CBD Programme of Work on Mountain Biodiversity into regional and national priority Linking biodiversity with sustainable livelihoods Reducing scientific uncertainties – regional research and long term monitoring Connecting biodiversity and climate change for sustainable mountain development A regional initiative - improve understanding of regional change and provide knowledge base for decision-making and planning

Thank you