IMCG Action Plan (2002 - 2006): Progress report 01-01-2004

 

year

Action completed (with year of delivery)

year

Still on schedule

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Action in need of attention and rapid completion (with year of planned delivery)

year

Action not completed and in need of urgent attention (with year of planned delivery)

 

Objective A: To identify the global diversity of mire features, functions, and values

Targets

Actions

Output

Champion(s)

Remarks

Year of delivery

A.1. Assessment of the global distribution and condition of mires and peatlands

Preparation of an overview and gap analysis for all countries of the world on the basis of literature research and expert consultation

Report “The global status of mires and peatlands”

Hans Joosten

Draft data used for Wise Use Book

2002

Full database prepared

2003

Published under www.imcg.net/gpd/gpd.htm.

2004

A.2. Development of a globally valid system of mire types and an overview of their distribution

The preparation and publication of a typology and corresponding maps through continuation of the annual IMCG workshops

Report/book “The mire types of the World and their global distribution” also including an overview of global peatland classification

Michael Steiner Jan Sliva

This action relates to action C.1.4.

2004

A.3. Development of a globally unified consistent mire terminology

Development of a Universal Mire Lexicon (UML) in workshops and internet discussions

Draft Mire Lexicon

Ron Hofstetter

An older draft is available under http://fig.cox.miami.edu/~rhofstet/bil538/hygrogaia-1.html

2002

Chapter on the UML in the European Mires Book (A.4.3.)

Ron Hofstetter

Draft has been submitted September 2002. see also A.4.

2002

A.4. Stimulation of regional mire and peatland inventories on the basis of an integral and coordinated approach

A.4.1. The instalment and facilitation of regional working groups, workshops and publications

The working groups are installed, the coordinators appointed, and the working plans agreed

H. Joosten (Europe)

Authors for all country inventories (- Azerbaijan) have been appointed and inventory content is agreed

2002

Jan Sliva (Africa)

Working group Southern Africa operational; further expansion to tropical Africa is underway. (A.4.4.)

2002-2003

Tanja Minaeva (Russia)

See A 4.5.

2004

Xxx (South America)

See A.4.6.

2005

A.4.2. Assistance with project development and fundraising for the activities listed below

All activities listed below are included in the GPI proposal portfolio

Tanja Minaeva

Most project proposals are included in the portfolio and some of them have been GPI funded

2002

A.4.3. The production of an overview of mire and peatland diversity and conservation status in Europe

Book “Mires and peatlands of Europe”

Hans Joosten

Draft text submitted to GPI

2002

Finances for publication secured

2003

Finalization and publication: Final texts are not yet available for some countries and some general chapters 

2004/2005

A.4.4. The production of an overview of mire and peatland diversity and conservation status in Southern Africa

Book “Mires and peatlands of Southern Africa”

Jan Sliva

 

2004

A.4.5. The production of an overview of mire and peatland diversity and conservation status of Russia

Book “Mires and peatlands of Russia”

Tanja Minaeva

 

2005

A.4.6. Starting the identification of the mire and peatland diversity and conservation status of South America

Book “Mires and peatlands of South America”

 

GPI supported reports on paramos and Patagonian peatlands

2004

Rodolfo Iturraspe

Book “Peatlands of Tierra del Fuego”

2005

A.5. Identification of the main functions and values of mires and peatlands on a global scale

A.5.1. The collection of qualitative and quantitative information on the basis of literature research and expert consultation

Publication of a major chapter on functions and values in the IPS/IMCG Wise Use book

Hans Joosten

IPS/IMCG book “The Wise Use of Mires and Peatlands – Background and Principles” published

2002

A.5.2. The ongoing synthesis of global databases on mire flora, vegetation, and mire plant ecology

Databases made available via the IMCG web site

Philippe Julve

How is progress and how to involve more members?

2002

A.5.3. To start a mire fauna data base

Databases made available via the IMCG web site

Not yet identified

What should be the content of that database?

2006

A.6. Formulation of Ramsar Guidelines for peatland sites

Active participation in the work of the STRP Peatland Group in the preparation of such Guidelines

Revised Guidelines are endorsed by the Ramsar Standing Committee and COP8

Richard Lindsay, Andreas Grünig

Guidelines were endorsed by Ramsar COP8 in Valencia

2002

 


Objective B: To reduce the most significant threats to mires

Targets

Actions

Output

Champion(s)

Remarks

Year of delivery

B.1. Identification of the main threats and of mechanisms to avoid them

B.1.1. The inventory of regional threats and their effects

Creation of a dynamic internet database on regional threats

Michael Trepel

A website for threatened peatlands was installed but gets little response

2003

The inclusion of these analyses in the regional overviews (see above)

Hans Joosten

Europe, see A.4.3.

2004/2005

Jan Sliva

Southern Africa, see A.4.4.

2004

Tanja Minaeva

Russia, see A.4.5.

2005

Rodolfo Iturraspe

South America, see A.4.6.

2006

B.1.2. The development of an infrastructure for membership expertise exchange

The database on IMCG expertise is developed and maintained

Jan Sliva

Michael Trepel

The new member registration form includes consent with publication of expertise data.

2003

A questionnaire to existing members has been prepared and distributed

2003

The database will be made available to all members

2004

The mechanism for rapid expertise exchange by internet is provided

Not yet identified

 

2002

B.2. Promotion of the conservation of mires in hot spots

B.2.1. The development and operation of a hot line for mire threats incl. a mechanism for feedback

The IMCG Web-site contains a “hot-line” for mires under threat

Tanja Minaeva,

Michael Trepel

A site “threatened mires” has been added to the IMCG website. Input is limited, feedback not yet organized

2003

B.2.2. The acquisition of funds for the provision of free expertise for hot spots

The IMCG has a special fund to cover expertise provision for hot spots

Tanja Minaeva,

Stuart Brooks

 

2003

 


Objective C: To explore mechanisms that further our aims and sustain our achievements

Targets

Actions

Output

Champion(s)

Remarks

Year of delivery

C.1. Permanent IMCG involvement in international mire conservation policy

C.1.1. Cooperation with partner organizations (IPS, WI, SWS, IUCN, …), both bilateral and in umbrella organizations (EHF, CoCo…)

Information exchange by web links, information bulletins, and attendance of meetings

Michael Trepel,

Web links

2002-2003

Margrit von Euw

Sending of IMCG Newsletters

2002-2003

Exec. Committee

Joint Meetings

2002-2003

Comprehensive mire conservation actions are undertaken in partnership

Hans Joosten

Wise Use project with IPS

2002-2003

Tatjana Minaeva

Global peatland Inititative (with IPS, WI, IUCN)

2002-2003

Hans Joosten

UNEP-GEF-project (with GEC, WI, IPS)

2003

Active involvement in the European Habitat Forum

Richard Lindsay

Adequate IMCG representation in EHF was re-installed

2003

C.1.2. Continued active participation in relevant Ramsar bodies

Active contribution in the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Research Panel

Stuart Brooks

Andreas Grünig

 

2002-2003

Active contribution in the Peatland Coordinating Committee CoCo-GAPP

Jan Sliva, Hans Joosten, Stuart Brooks, Piet-Louis Grundling

CoCo-GAPP was installed November 2003 with a strong direct and indirect representation of IMCG members

2003

Endorsement of the IMCG web-site by Ramsar as official reference site for inventory data

Hans Joosten

CoCo-GAPP decided to use the IMCG Global Peatland Database as a base of inventory data

2003

IMCG Global Peatland Database is being installed on the IMCG-web.

2004

C.1.3. Pro-active participation in the Steering Group of the Global Peatland Initiative

The IMCG position is clearly reflected in all GPI policy.

Tanja Minaeva

GPI has supported several actions from the IMCG Action Plan

2003

Submission of ample projects by IMCG and IMCG members

Tanja Minaeva

Due to lack of resources no new GPI projects have been started during 2003

2004

C.1.4. Stimulation of mire/peatland related aspects in the Convention on Biodiversity

Recognition of mire types and patterns as paradigms of ecosystem diversity

Hans Joosten

CBD plans to adopt Ramsar typology à C.1.2.

2006

 

Hans Joosten

The report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biological Diversity and Climate Change includes a substantial part about peatlands

2003-2004

C.1.5. Stimulation of mire/peatland related aspects in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto process

Recognition of the importance of peatlands and mires as carbon stores and sinks

???

The Ramsar Convention pleas for minimizing degradation and for promoting restoration wetlands that store or may sequester carbon

2002

The report of the Ad Hoc Group (see C.1.4.) was offered to the UNFCCC

2003

Ramsar and CBD have asked the IPCC for a paper on the relationship between wetlands and climate change

2002/2004

 

C.1.6. The development of an IMCG long-term mire conservation strategy

A long-term IMCG strategy

Hans Joosten

An IMCG/IPS workshop on the Future of Peatlands was organized during the IPS 2004 Congress

2004

C.2. An effective global network of mire conservationists, linking to regional networks, by expanding IMCG presence to all regions and countries

C.2.1. The production and distribution of a regular Newsletter with global coverage

Informative IMCG Newsletter

John Couwenberg,

Hans Joosten

In 2002 4 Newsletters were produced with a total of 130 pages

2002

In 2003 4 Newsletters were produced with a total of 142 pages

2003

C.2.2. The maintenance of a Website with global coverage

The IMCG web-site is up-to-date and easily accessible and contains conservation relevant information

Michael Trepel

The web pages were visited 2666x in 2001, 5231x in 2002, 7437x in 2003 and already 4299x in the first five months of  2004.

2002-2006

C.2.3. The wide distribution of IMCG information material and membership registration forms, including to appropriate societies and journals.

An annual growth of the IMCG membership by 10%, representing 5 additional countries

Jan Sliva

Per 31.12.2002 IMCG had 265 members (= + 56 % compared to 31.12.2001) in 37 countries (= + 1). Per 31.12.2003 IMCG had 366 members (= + 38 % compared to 31.12.2002) in 37 countries (= + 0)

2002-2006

C.2.4. The expansion of IMCG membership in Southern Africa

IMCG members / contacts in most countries in Southern Africa

Jan Sliva,

Piet-Louis Grundling

At the end of 2002 IMCG had members in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. During 2003 no additional extra countries joined.

2004

C.2.5. The preparation of the 2004 IMCG Congress in South Africa

The 2004 IMCG Congress in South Africa

Piet-Louis Grundling

The IMCG Congress in South Africa is scheduled for 12.-26. September 2004

2004

                  

C.2.6. The expansion of IMCG membership in South America

IMCG members / contacts in most South American countries

 

At the end of 2002 IMCG had members in Argentina and Colombia.

During 2003 no additional extra countries joined.

2006

C.2.7. The preparation of an IMCG Symposium in South America 2005/2006

An IMCG Symposium in South America 2005/2006

Rodolpho Iturraspe

An field symposium in Tierra del Fuego is planned for November 2005.

2005

C.2.8. The support of national and local initiatives in mire conservation by providing expertise and assistance in fundraising and awareness campaigns

The IMCG members have easy access to any needed expertise to carry out mire conservation activities in their countries

???

See also B.2.1.: dynamic database of threats.

2003

C.3. Provision of free exchange of information

C.3.1. The organization of meetings, symposia, and workshops.

Biannual IMCG symposium

Piet-Louis Grundling

South-Africa , see also C.2.5.

2004

Tapio Lindholm

Finland, 2006 Field symposium, Conference, and General Assembly

2006

???

2008 Field symposium, Conference, and General Assembly

2008

Regular workshops devoted to regions or issues.

???

 

2002-2006

C.3.2. The preparation of publications

IMCG Publications

Hans Joosten

J. Couwenberg

2002: Weber Augstumal book

2002

Hans Joosten

2002: Wise Use book. See also C.2.1.

2002

C.3.3. The publication of a scientific journal on peat and peatlands

An peer reviewed International Journal of Peat and Peatlands

Olivia Bragg

Hans Joosten

First appointments for a free, internet based journal has been made with IPS. First issue scheduled for 2004. 

2004

C.4. Development and implementation of a policy on economic incentives for mire conservation

C.4.1. Development of a policy on certification and ecolabelling

Policy document adopted by IMCG MB / General Ass.

Hans Joosten

As no consensus exists within the peat industry, the issue will be pursued by IPS Commission II and IMCG is kept informed.

2004

C.4.2. The stimulation of the development and the use of peat alternatives

Information on the IMCG Web-site on peat alternatives

???

Couple with IPCC and UK Peat Campaign

2003

C.4.3. The promotion of adequate labeling, certification, and licensing of peatland related products and activities

Adequate “ecolabels” for peat (products)

???

Relates to the renewal of EU ecolabels in 2006; interventions depend on outcome of C.4.1.

2006

Certification concepts for peat industries

???

Interventions depend on outcome of C.4.1.

2006

The inclusion of Wise Use concepts in national licensing

???

.

2006

C.4.4. The promotion of “debts for nature swaps” for mire conservation

“Debts for nature swaps” for mire conservation

???

 

2006

C.5. Awareness campaign

Identification of the motives for mire use.

Identification of the stakeholders on the international level.

Formulation and dissemination of a Wise Use approach.

Publication and wide dissemination of the Wise Use background document and declarations

Stuart Brooks

The Wise Use book and the WU Statement flyers were published and are being widely disseminated. All versions of flyer are not yet available on the IMCG website (C.2.2.)

2002/2003

Exec. Committee

The Wise Use Book and flyers were presented and distributed at CoP 8

2002

Hans Joosten

The IPS associated peat industry prepared a DVD on peatland wise use

2004

???

The publication of the booklet “Wise use for children and ministers”

2004

Presentation of Wise Use approach on the IPS Congress

Michael Trepel

Wise Use is the motto of the 2004 IPS Congress. Concerted input from IMCG is required.

2004