Xinjiang Altai Landscape project Core team Marc Foggin Yu Changqing Cao Dinggui

Global significance Altai-Sayan Ecoregion – Consideration for World Heritage Site status – Other countries: Kazakstan, Russia, Mongolia In China’s Altai region… – Includes two WWF 200 Priority Ecoregions – Many lakes, rivers, peatlands, etc. – Several species of interest, e.g. beaver, wolverine

Unique characteristics Amongst all the sub-projects of MSL Program, the Xinjiang project will highlight inter alia the following two elements: – Trialing, development and modeling of community co-management as novel management approach for PAs – Transfrontier elements (cooperation on issues of mutual interest, e.g. control of trade, poaching)

Project objective (PIF stage) To strengthen the management effectiveness of protected areas to respond to existing and emerging threats to the globally significant biodiversity and essential ecosystem services in the Altai Mountains and Wetland Landscape in Xinjiang UAR

Project components (3) Component 1. Systemic and institutional capacity for planning and managing the regional (provincial) PA system, particularly sub-system of wetland PAs in Xinjiang UAR Component 2. Altai Mountains and Wetland Landscape (AMWL) PA Cluster ensures effective biodiversity Component 3. Demonstration of effective wetland PA management, through community co-management

Diagram (sketch map) – 3 levels Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) Altai Prefecture – Landscape approach Liangheyuan nature reserve, as basis (focus) for development of co-management approach Landscape Site / PA Province/region

Integration of many project goals will occur at the landscape and PA site levels Including Landscape level analysis: Are there key gaps? Current management approaches, needs, etc. Role of co-management, local community participation, local ownership of goals, etc. Integration with other sectors, government Accessing new financing mechanisms

Now, introducing Dr Yu Changqing – who is more directly familiar with the project location, and the partners; has worked in the region for many years (with a focus on one of the Altai protected areas) First field trip, 18 June – 3 July 2012 Second field trip, 4 – 14 Sept 2012 (tentative)