Using EoH tools to identify values and threats to those values (tools 1 and 2)

Context Tools Tool 1: Identifying Site Values and Management Objectives Background: Developed from TNC methodology for identifying priority conservation targets Concept: Define ‘key’ values, including OUV and associated objectives which drive management and the assessment process Methodology and datasheet: guides sites through the process of identifying range of values for biodiversity cultural, economic, educational and social values

Worksheet 1a Values = what is important within the site Objectives = concrete management aims It is not usually possible to manage all values present at a site – tool can help managers group major site values that can help focus management Document the major site values and to relate these to the principal management objectives Understanding values helps inform the entire management effectiveness assessment process And is the basis for the development of monitoring programmes (i.e. Tool 11)

Review information sources  Site nomination report  Statements of Outstanding Universal Value or Significance  Management and/or other planning documents  Other reports  Interviews Identify major values List principal management objectives and relate these to values where appropriate Identify major values and their relationship to World Heritage status Identify values and objectives

Bwindi Management Objectives World Heritage values reflected in objective Additional values reflected in objective Biodiversity Values Mountain gorillasEndangered speciesPopulation and health HabitatAfro-montane, continuous forest Lowland-medium to High altitude forest and high altitude wetlands. Other endemic species Species endemic and endangered that exist in BINP Numbers, home-ranges Other Natural values Climate modification Rainfall Humidity and temperature Water catchments Source of rivers for both domestic and wildlife use Water quality and quantity Carbon sinkForest absorption of excess CO 2 Vegetation SceneryLandscape Cultural/ Social values Revenue generation from tourism activities Gorilla tracking, Bird watching, Nature walks Non-timber forest Products Resource off takes (Medicinal, weaving materials, honey) Education and Research Research Institutions, School study tours, and independent researchers

Using the worksheet in the management planning process Tool 1 is used to set the context for the EoH process – can highlight problems in management context In Sangay National Park in Ecuador, the initial management assessment undertaken using this tool identified the need to revise the management plan to ensure the objectives better reflected the site’s values and management challenges Ensuring that values match objectives can be a time consuming process

Tool 2: Identifying Threats Background: Developed from work carried out by TNC Concept: Understanding the causes and impacts of threats and the urgency of action Methodology and datasheet: Guidance on characteristics of current and potential threats for each value identified in tool 1 and summarise its impacts (extents and intensity) and the urgency of management responses (actions) Context Tools

Understanding threats Threats are major problems facing a site: i.e. forest loss or degradation of a coral reef Causes of threats are the reasons why, to use the sample examples, the forest is disappearing (e.g. illegal logging and agricultural encroachment) or coral is degrading (e.g. tourist over-use, global warming) Impacts of threats are the problems that result: e.g. for forests, an impact could be soil erosion; for coral reefs, loss of fish species Also considers current and potential threats

Uses of the assessment It allows managers to develop strategies for threat abatement by tackling the actual causes of the threat If the causes cannot be eliminated, helps develop interventions can reduce their impacts As threats can create more than one impact, management activities can be prioritized according to the causes responsible for the gravest and most numerous impacts Worksheet concentrates on direct causes, those within the managers power, rather than underlying causes, such as poverty, global trade balance, etc

Assessment Identifies threats Identified the values impacted by the threat – and whether they are current or potential Identifies causes Assess impact of threat by extent (%) of value threatened and severity using a 4-point rating scale Management response: identifies actions to be taken and assess urgency of that action

Threats and management planning The threat context of the site should have a major impact on management planning priorities and actions Tool can help focus on direct causes and decide urgency of action following assessment of extent and severity of threat