IMCG Resolutions adopted in Besançon, France

During the 10th IMCG biennial meeting in Besançon France, a total of 10 IMCG resolutions were adopted and published in the IMCG newsletter 3 & 4 2002.

IMCG Resolution for Czech Republic

The International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG) is a worldwide organisation of mire (peatland) specialists who have a particular interest in the conservation of peatland habitats. The IMCG willingly places its advice and expertise at the disposal of any government seeking to establish or maintain mire conservation programmes.

The IMCG held its 10th biennial General Assembly in Besançon, France, in July 2002. At that Assembly the following resolution was adopted with respect to the current provision for conservation of mires in the Czech Reoublic.

Peatlands, as water-driven environments, have been developing in Czechia for the last 13,000 years. They occupy less than 0.3 % of the area of the country, but they include a broad variety of mire types whose specificity and uniqueness is irreplaceable for the sustainable evolution of European biodiversity. The international network of Ramsar sites includes important representatives in the Czech Republic, but would be significantly enhanced by addition of the site Rašelinište Krušnohorí (Mires of the Ore Mountains), for which a national agreement has not yet been reached. IMCG recommends rapid processing of the proposal for the mire Rašelinište Krušnohorí to become a Ramsar site.

The extent of peatlands in Czechia has been reduced substantially in recent decades, and their protection has been recognized as an urgent need by the government. This was established in national legislation in 1992 (Law 128/1992). However, proper execution of this law is hampered by conflict with law 61/1956 Sb. on peat extraction, which allows extraction to proceed beyond the point at which irreversible damage to the natural functions of the peatland system occurs. Moreover, a robust mechanism to ensure that practice complies with the law is needed. With regard to preparation of the new Law on Nature Protection for the Czech Republic, IMCG recommends retraction of the law of 1956 and preparation of a detailed programme for scientific evaluation and monitoring of the conservation conditions of Natura 2000 and non-Natura 2000 peatland sites.

IMCG Resolution to the European Union

The IMCG held its 10th biennial General Assembly in Besançon, France, in July 2002. At that Congress the following resolution was adopted with respect to the current situation for mire conservation in Europe.

The current working lists of priority habitats and species for protection under the European Habitats Directive do not sufficiently represent the diversity of rare and threatened mire habitats and species in the EU. For example, it emerged during our 2002 IMCG Field Symposium in France that important calcareous fen types are not included, and we note that similar problems are reported from Austria and other countries of western Europe. Moreover, the deficiencies of the lists will increase as new countries in different biogeographical regions undertake the EU accession process. Therefore, we recommend that there should be a comprehensive revision of the lists of mire habitats and species so that they will be applicable throughout the new expanded area of the European Union. The IMCG has mire specialists from the EU accession countries, and invites dialogue with the EU on this matter, through the existing EHF channel or by an alternative direct route.
We are also concerned that many EU-LIFE projects on mires focus on active management but do not set any requirements for establishing a prior understanding of ecological processes and the full nature of the problems to be addressed. Thus, inappropriate work programmes have been undertaken and projects have consequently failed to achieve their restoration objectives. In order to reduce such wasteful application of resources, we recommend that the award of LIFE support for management that will substantially affect ecosystem functions should be made conditional on the successful completion of a preliminary phase of site study and collection of baseline data with separate funding; and on the submission of specific plans for medium-term monitoring and evaluation of results. Ideally, there would be input from independent experts in establishing the requirements for each pilot study, and these would take into account considerations of ecosystem function, stakeholder issues and practical feasibility. Again, the IMCG invites dialogue with the appropriate authorities towards establishing the principles of such staged approaches and realistic target-setting for LIFE projects on mires.

IMCG Resolution for Finland

Within Europe, Finland has a special importance with respect to the extent and quality of its peatlands, and in particular of its undisturbed, living mires. Finland is also known and respected throughout the world for the high quality of its research and education of students in mire ecology. In view of these facts, the IMCG is dismayed to learn that the almost 10 university chairs that were previously occupied by mire ecologists have now all been re-filled by specialists in other disciplines, and that mires have almost ceased to feature in the curricula offered by the country's universities. As a result of these changes, Finland may very soon have no mire scientists and teachers, and no specialists able to make nature inventories for mires.

Accordingly, the IMCG urges the Finnish Ministry of Education and the Academy of Finland to critically re-examine the balance of disciplines that are represented within its universities. Furthermore, the IMCG asks that these bodies should give urgent attention to possibilities for reinstating educational opportunities and research funding in mire ecology to a level that is consistent with the importance of Finland's mire resource, at both national and international scales.

IMCG Resolution for France

The IMCG thanks the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development (MEDD), the Limousin, Auvergne, Rhône-Alpes and Franche-Comté Regions, the Conseil Général de la Loire and the Syndicat mixte de la Vallée du Drugeon for their generous financial and technical support, which enabled the 10th IMCG field symposium to be held in France. Thanks are also due to the management and scientific teams, and to the team of Pôle-Relais Tourbières, who enabled the participants to discover the diversity and high conservation value of the mires in France.

The IMCG General Assembly, held in Besançon on July 21st 2002, noted:
- the progress in conservation of wetlands and especially of mires that has been promoted by implementation of the Plan d'Action Interministériel pour les Zones Humides, in recent years;
- the creation of the Pôle-Relais Tourbières which has already proved to be a precious tool for the management of wetlands and mires in France;
- the adoption of the Schéma des Services Collectifs targeting natural sites and especially the recent changes in peat extraction in wetlands.

However, the IMCG asks the French government:
- to refuse, as proposed by the Préfet of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, every new extension of exploitation in the raised bog Pédestarres.
- to further both conservation and management of peatland habitats through rapid implementation of the Natura 2000 network;
- to implement appropriate agri-environmental schemes for the management of wetlands which are also financially attractive for farmers;
- to direct suitable financial support to the conservation of mires that are of European, regional and local interest;
- to rapidly designate ecologically rich mires as Ramsar sites; for example the Natura 2000 site la vallée du Drugeon (Doubs), whose designation is already of interest to the local authorities;
- to encourage the effective protection of internationally important migratory bird species that utilise habitats in French wetlands;
- to clearly state, within the planned revision of the Water Law (Loi sur l'Eau), the need for conservation of wetlands, and especially of mires, for their hydrological regulation functions;
- to introduce high quality environmental training programmes, especially on wetlands, to the school curriculum; in order to achieve this, there is a need also to provide sufficient university staff to sustain the initiative.

IMCG Resolution for Hungary

The 10th biennial General Assembly of the IMCG was held in Besançon, France, in July 2002. The Assembly adopted the following resolution to express the concerns of the IMCG with regard to the protection of mires in Hungary.

In the past, more than 1% of the territory of Hungary was covered by mires. This is a substantial area considering the climatic conditions of the Carpathian basin. The extensive Hungarian mire systems, for example Ecsedi lap and Hansag, were lost during water regulation works in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now, more than 97% of Hungary's mires have been drained so that protection of the remnants is of the highest importance to the biological diversity and natural heritage of Hungary, as well as at international scale.

In view of this, the IMCG is pleased to learn that the Hungarian government has provided legal protection for wetlands, mires and their remnants within the national ecological network; and that the protection process takes into account the whole of each mire complex, together with a buffer zone. The Hungarian practice of updating the national mire inventory every year is exemplary.

We are also encouraged to hear of Hungary's achievements in preventing further destructive activities (e.g. drainage and industrial mining) on some mires; in initiating mire restoration schemes; in establishing the principle that land use and development planning procedures should take some account of the national and Natura 2000 networks (which contain mires, beside other valuable habitat types ); towards developing a national strategy for the conservation of mires; and towards incorporating principles of "wetland wise use" in national policies such as the proposed National Environment Programme.

However, IMCG asks the Hungarian government to renew efforts towards establishing the local agreements and partnerships with land users that will enable the Natura 2000 network to be completed. In particular, the introduction of a scheme to provide reasonable compensation and other financial incentives to land owners and users is recommended.

IMCG also suggests that there should be a management plan for every protected mire, and that this should be revised regularly. Prospects for bringing Hungary's valuable mires to favourable conservation status would be greatly enhanced by establishing a national monitoring system; by conducting research on mires and peatlands (particularly research for nature conservation); by introducing education programmes to establish study paths related to mires; and by encouraging the collaboration of non-governmental organisations with state agencies in the management of peatlands.

IMCG Resolution for Latvia

We appreciate the ongoing activities to protect mires of Latvia in the face of increasing pressure for their utilization in whole Baltic region. The 8th field symposium and General Assembly of the IMCG was held in Latvia in 1998, and we had the pleasure of visiting Latvian mire sites. Since that time, the National Programme of Biodiversity was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2000, and provides guidelines for planners of sectoral development and municipalities. It includes a Strategy and Action Plan for conservation of natural biodiversity. In 2002, the mire habitat conservation plan is being prepared. However, the following additional needs to ensure the conservation of mire biodiversity are noted:

No new mires in Latvia should be planned for peat mining. Peat extraction must not be allowed on protected areas, even under exceptional circumstances. The whole ecological and hydrological system of each particular mire site should be included in the area designated for protection.
Most of the protected peatlands in Latvia are ombrotrophic mires (raised bogs). More attention should be paid to establishment of new protected areas that include minerotrophic mires (fens). Particular attention should be paid to the valuable spring mires that are highly sensitive to human activities.
Regular funding should be provided for management planning of protected mire sites. Administrative capacity should be raised also to implement management measures.
Latvia lacks an up-to-date peatland inventory. The existing dataset is based on an old nation-wide peat survey at a scale that is unsuitable for conservation purposes, and urgently needs revision. Research projects are needed to update the information on biodiversity values, hydrology and geology of peatlands in Latvia.
Awareness of the value of mires should be improved, in schools and universities as well as amongst the society. Introduction of university courses on mires would make a valuable addition to higher education, and establishment of a mire museum and information centre is desirable. Also, publication of a book on mires of Latvia would be welcomed by the international mire conservation community, as well as providing a useful resource for educational initiatives.

IMCG Resolution for Poland

The IMCG notes with approval the 2001 revision of the Nature Protection Act and especially the associated lists of protected species and habitat types which contain the majority of important wetland habitats. We welcome recent progress in developing the network of protected mire sites within National Parks, Landscape Parks, Nature Reserves and Ramsar sites; and we encourage the new prerogatives that enable local (communal) authorities and the State Forest Administration to establish protected areas on the basis of ecological importance. We also commend the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in ensuring mire protection, especially the Coalition for Wetland Protection, the Nature Club, OTOP (Polish Society for Bird Protection), REC (Regional Environmental Centre) and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), as well as the regional organisations e.g. PTOP (North-Podlasie Society for Bird Protection) and the Biebrza Society.

However, IMCG notes that there are three problems related to the protection of mires that require urgent attention:

We note that new opportunities for integrated protection of valuable wetlands arise from the large-scale land ownership changes that have taken place since 1989. Many of these wetlands lie within the large area of previously cultivated land that is now held by the State Land Ownership Agency (AWRSP). Although this land has limited economic value, the mechanism for assessing its nature conservation value, and for protecting the valuable wetland sites, is largely unsatisfactory. IMCG urges the Polish government to install the legal and administrative mechanisms that would enable the successful transfer of unused State-owned land to nature conservation where appropriate.
Poland lacks an up-to-date peatland inventory. The existing dataset is based on an old nation-wide survey at a scale that is unsuitable for conservation purposes, and urgently needs revision. Its usefulness would be greatly enhanced by adding the smallest mires, many of which have escaped disturbance and so are important for nature protection. Since the majority of these mires are hidden in forest areas, the introduction of mire expertise into the State Forestry Service would make a significant contribution to the protection of Poland's most valuable wetland sites.
We are concerned to hear that a law to enable afforestation of disused agricultural land has recently been adopted. In view of past experience of the disastrous impacts of such legislation on mires and wetlands in other European countries, we urge the Polish government to ensure that a full assessment of nature conservation value is undertaken prior to granting permission for afforestation of all such land.

IMCG Resolution for the Russian Federation

The IMCG held its 10th biennial General Assembly in Besancon, France, in July 2002. At that Assembly the following resolution was adopted with respect to the current provision for wise use of mires in Russia.

The IMCG recognises the essential contributions of Russia to advancing our knowledge of mires, in progressing mire conservation, and in initiating the wise use approach for peatlands. We welcome the progress that has been made in recent years towards wise use of Russian mires, towards establishing the dialogue between stakeholders from different economic sectors, in the regulation of federal legislation, and in the public awareness campaign that aims to establish a common understanding of the benefits and functions of mires. We also commend the increasing activity of non-governmental organisations in supporting mire protection and introducing mire restoration practices.

However, IMCG notes the following problems related to the protection of mires that require the urgent attention of both the government of the Russian Federation and the international community:

We note that Russian mires are threatened by economic activities which are potentially connected to foreign markets; principally peat cutting in the Baltic Region, and oil and gas mining in highly paludified areas of West Siberia and the north-east of European Russia. A valuable contribution to establishing mire-friendly economies in these regions might be achieved by installing ecological impact assessment procedures that are independent of the large companies; and by introducing ecological certification procedures for peat-based products and the products of the oil and gas industries.
Although Russia has the world's largest national resource of peatlands, these are now rare and endangered habitats in the forest-steppe provinces of the European part of Russia and in West Siberia. In highly populated areas, river valley fens are close to extinction. One of the key biodiversity and nature conservation issues is that special support is needed for landscape planning, ecosystem management and mire restoration in these regions.
The international reputation of Russian mire science is legendary, and we note with concern the recent decline of activity in this field. Thus, the IMCG urges re-establishment of the all-Russian network of multidisciplinary professionals and stakeholders in mire issues.
Public awareness of the special values and functions of mires is generally low in Russia, and this restricts possibilities for people to benefit fully from this natural resource. The IMCG would welcome new initiatives in mire education and in dissemination of information to all interested parties.
The impact of Russian mires on global processes is under-estimated. We confirm the urgent need to obtain fundamental knowledge about the natural functions of Russian mires and their dynamics under different climate change scenarios.

IMCG Resolution for South Africa

The IMCG notes with approval the developments in South Africa since the IMCG meeting in Quebec, August 2000 adopted the first resolution on South African peatlands (as acknowledged by DEAT communiqué dated 01 August 2001):

Especially the enforcing of relevant environmental legislation (Environmental Impact Assesment, Environmental Management Plans and Wetland Reserve Determinations) concerning peat mining applications, as well as
The development of the Peatland Eco-region map and database by the National Department of Agriculture.
Recent progress in developing methodology for a wetland inventory in South Africa by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), that will contribute to the mire conservation objectives of various international organisations, including Ramsar, IMCG, IUCN and Wetlands International.
We encourage new initiatives (and support from DEAT) on peatland conservation and research in South Africa and in the southern African region, such as government departments (in the Peat Working Group) and NGO's (Mondi Wetlands Project and various Friends of Wetlands Groups), as well as the international IMPESA project (IMPESA - Identification and Mapping of Peatlands of Southern Africa).
We commend the activities of the Working for Wetlands partnership (DEAT, Working for Water Programme and the Mondi Wetland Project). The Working for Wetlands programme is setting an international example in establishing wetland awareness and poverty reduction by rehabilitating and restoring peatlands and wetlands.

However, IMCG notes that there are two problems related to the protection of mires that require urgent attention:

South Africa does not have an up-to-date National Peatland Management Plan. Present wetland related legislation is fragmented between different departments, and peatlands are not directly described in any of the relevant environmental legislation. This situation leads to inefficiency in:
- the enforcing of legislation and policy,
- the monitoring of impacts and exploitation, as well as
- he co-ordination of involved departments on all levels of government.
We therefore urge the South African government to ensure:
- a full strategic environmental audit of peatlands in the country, including
- the industrial, horticultural and subsistence utilisation of peat and peatlands and
- a re-evaluation of relevant legislation.
We note with concern the latest developments of the proposed storage dam of the Braamhoek Pump Storage Scheme in the Watervalvley mire (peatland).
We welcomed the news, in March 2002, that the South African government had upheld the appeals against the proposed Braamhoek Pumped Storage Scheme. We recognised it as a decision of international importance due, not only to the world wide degradation of peatlands, but also due to the significance of the Watervalvley on an intra-African scale. A European representative of the Executive Committee of the IMCG visited the wetland on 24 March 2001 and confirmed the significance of this peatland.

We certainly understand and support the concept of clean electricity and the responsibility of the South African government to supply energy to previously disadvantaged communities. However, at the same time we need to voice our concern about the reopening of the application by ESKOM and the potential destruction of the Watervalvley peatland.

We would like to request a detailed study on the peatland component of the wetland by an acknowledged peatland specialist. We further believe that ESKOM is ignoring the occurrence of peat in the wetland, and that ESKOM's proposed mitigation measures are thus fatally flawed.

We request advice as to whether ESKOM utilised the latest GIS technology and techniques in the selection of this specific site.

Peatlands, like most wetlands, are under severe pressure internationally and urgently require additional protection (cf. Ramsar Recommendation 6.1 & 7.1). The IMCG is willing to make its expertise available to the South African government to assist in these matters and looks forward to visiting a pristine Watervalvley peatland during its 2004 Congress.

Besançon, France, July 2002

IMCG Resolution for Sweden

The national wetland inventory

The IMCG notes with approval that funding is in place to complete the wetland inventory for the lowland part of the county of Norrbotten. However, it is a matter for concern that the wetlands of the alpine region of Sweden have not yet been surveyed for the national wetland inventory. Although threats to these sites currently appear to be slight, completion of the inventory is advisable in order to provide a basis for countrywide knowledge of the wetland resource.
Sweden has made a large investment in the national wetland inventory. Unfortunately, the data are not easily accessible to interested parties. The IMCG would appreciate a move by the Swedish government to ensure that the data will be easily accessible, for example within a modern electronic database that is available via Internet. There is also a need to analyse the data, and to make the results available.

Site protection (especially the National Mire Protection Plan and Natura 2000)

IMCG has learned that several high quality sites from the National Mire Protection Plan have not been included in the Natura 2000 list, and recommends that all remaining sites with suitable habitats should be proposed as Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) and that those with qualifying ornithological conservation values should become Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
The IMCG commends the initiative of the Swedish National Mire Protection Plan, but has noticed that during the last ten years the land acquisition issues have been solved for less than 15% of the unprotected area and that the situation with regard to the formal establishment of nature reserves is similar. The Swedish government is asked to facilitate progress in establishing the protection of the sites that remain unprotected.
We have also noted that there are some important mire sites in the Mire Protection Plan, for example Fjällmossen (Skåne) and Hammarmossen, that have suffered hydrological disturbance resulting in lowering of the water table. We recommend that restoration work should be undertaken on such sites in order to achieve their long-term favourable conservation status.