WWF - Conservation publications from or about the Alps

Natura 2000 - Europe's safety net for nature - and people

2006-06-06

WWF and its partner organizations strongly support the implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives and the establishment of Natura 2000.

The twin directives represent a real attempt to conserve Europe’s biological diversity based on sound scientific evidence, and protecting a representative sample of all Europe’s most threatened habitats and species. The Habitats Directive does not rule out economic activities in Natura 2000 areas, but rather provides a process and framework for protecting Europe’s natural wealth and promoting long-term sustainable development.

Our work
For this purpose, we have been actively assisting national and EU authorities and other stakeholders to identify, to designate and then to actively protect and manage Natura 2000 sites and species. Our work includes raising awareness of Natura 2000, e.g. the “Flying over Natura 2000” project, in which storks
were monitored and shown in TV in their migration over Europe (www.flyingover.net). We also support the EU accession member states in their first stages of implementation of the EU nature directives.

Who we are
WWF, the global conservation organization, works together with partner organizations throughout the EU for the implementation of Natura 2000 and the Habitats and Birds Directives. As a member of the European Habitats Forum, a coalition of NGOs working for the implementation of the Habitats and Birds
Directives, we provide input and advice to the European Commission, particularly relating to the implementation of the Habitats Directive and the establishment of the conservation network.

For further information:
Alberto Arroyo Schnell, Natura 2000 Coordinator
WWF International
Tel: +36 1 212-9353
E-mail: alberto.arroyo@wwf.at

Report on the conservation status of alpine predators

2006-01-05

The plight of Europe’s large carnivores has become an issue of growing conservation concern. Wolves, bears and lynx continue to be persecuted by humans and in many cases their habitats are under considerable threat.
While the precarious status of Asia’s tigers is widely known, some of Europe’s own top predators are in danger of quietly disappearing. Others face an upsurge in conflict with people as they try to reclaim parts of their former ranges.

To dam or not to dam? Five years on from the World Commission on Dams

2005-11-14

On 16 November 2000, Nelson Mandela helped to launch the report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD), indicating the importance attached to the issue of dams and development by one of the world’s greatest statesmen. The 380-page report addressed the benefits and impacts of dams or, in Mandela’s words, ‘one of the battlegrounds in the sustainable development arena’.

Now, five years on, as the dust has settled, we ask – what is the Commission’s legacy? Are fewer bad dams being built? Are benefits being shared with affected communities and are more effective environmental protection measures being taken?

This is a pertinent time to ask these questions as dams, in particular hydropower projects, have recently risen back to the top of decision-makers’ agendas. This year, the World Bank approved funding for the Nam Theun 2 hydropower project in Laos, its first major investment in this sector since the Bank announced in 2003 its intention to re-enter dams financing with a focus on ‘High Reward, High Risk’ projects.

Rising fossil fuel prices, growing energy needs, as well as the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change all have resulted in a renewed effort to develop the world’s hydropower potential. At the same time climate change is likely to increase the demand for water storage. While hydropower and other dams undoubtedly have a role to play in meeting growing energy and water needs, there is also much at stake as in the past too many projects have resulted in excessive environmental damage and negative social impacts, especially for local communities.

In this report, WWF takes stock of what has happened in the five years since the launch of the WCD report. We highlight six cases where governments and dam builders have failed to clean up their act. We also show a number of positive developments from around the world.

Overall, we find that the WCD recommendations are as important today for reducing the social and environmental damage caused by dams as they were five years ago. WWF is convinced that applying the WCD’s framework, adapted to individual country’s situations, will result in better decision-making and projects that have less impact.

International Conference on the management of Natura 200 sites

2005-09-28

After the nomination of sites, Natura 2000 moves on to the implementation phase. Member states are now confronted with new tasks and challenges. Several examples on how to deal with these new challenges can already be found within the member states.

The aim of the conference is to support the flow of information and continue the network-building work concerning the different ways of implementing Natura 2000.

Here you can download detailed information on the conference and instructions to participants. Pease download documents in English or German, use buttons in upper right corner.

The Ticino River as an ecological bridge for Europe

2005-09-14

The river, shared by Italy and Switzerland, connects the Alps with the Appenines, via the Po River catchment area. It is a veritable biodiversity highway linking Europe and Africa. A convention in Milan seeks to establish integrated and sustainable ways to manage it.

Climate change and extreme weather events in Europe

2005-08-26

Extreme weather events are related to climate change. The recent tragic floods that hit the Alps and the droughts and fires that devastated regions of Southern Europe are linked to man-induced global climatic modifications,

The Bulletin of the Alps

2005-05-18

This bulletin is published four times a year by the European Alpine Programme. It can be downloaded for free. Re-use of articles is encouraged, credit should be given to authors and sources.

The Alps ecoregion conservation plan

2005-04-04

Eight years ago, WWF initiated a programme to halt the loss of biodiversity worldwide. Over 200 areas of the globe were recognized as being especially significant for maintaining biodiversity.

The Alps are one of these ecoregions.

Only in the last few years political authorities have begun to recognize the Alps as a coherent structure and thus were able to carry out a pan-Alpine policy aimed at preserving the rich natural heritage of the Alps.

Together with the pan-Alpine networks of scientific research (ISCAR), protected areas (ALPARC) and NGOs (CIPRA), WWF has laid down the necessary foundations for this work to progress. Today, we know which areas in the Alpine Region deserve special attention with regard to their biodiversity.

But knowledge alone is not enough. We need concrete measures and action to halt the daily loss of biodiversity and to preserve the natural resources in the long term. WWF has therefore developed an Ecoregional Action Plan and will contribute to its implementation.

The goal of preserving biodiversity cannot be reached by any single NGO. The Action Plan is therefore primarily an invitation to everyone, whether living and working in the Alps, using alpine resources or coming here as a visitor.

Let us address this challenge together! The unique natural richness of the Alps and their beautiful landscape hearten us to do so.

Andreas Weissen, WWF European Alpine Programme

Ecoregion Action Programmes - A Guide for Practitioners (Part IV)

2005-03-18

This guidebook is built around the themes and questions that have emerged -and continue to emerge from ecoregion conservaton planning and action. The information presented is supported by field examples, model projects, case studies and lessons learned.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1: Understanding Ecoregion Conservation
History of the Ecoregion Conservation
Approach
The Ecoregion Conservation Approach in Practice
The Biological Basis of Ecoregion Conservation
The Core Elements of Ecoregion Conservation

Section 2: Making It Happen
The Guiding Principles of Ecoregion Conservation
Facing the Challenges of Ecoregion Conservation.
Making a Commitment to Leadership

Section 3: Engaging Stakeholders and Partners
Laying the Groundwork
Communicating Effectively

Section 4: Moving from Vision to Action
Developing Strategies
Completing a Situation Analysis
Finding the Levers of Change
Leveraging Policy to Support Ecoregion Conservation
Education for Ecoregion Conservation

Section 5: Calculating Investment and Measuring Impact
Creating a Funding Plan
Monitoring and Evaluation

Section 6: Looking Ahead

Section 7: Appendices
A. Writing an Ecoregion Conservation Plan
B. Guidelines for Developing a Communications Strategy
C. Communications Strategy Worksheet
D. Sample Communications Strategy: Terms of Reference
E. Ecoregion Programme Leader: Sample Terms of Reference
F. Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators
G. References
H. Glossary

Ecoregion Action Programmes - A Guide for Practitioners (Part III)

2005-03-18

Ecoregion Action Programmes - A Guide for Practitioners (Part II)

2005-03-18

Ecoregion Action Programmes - A Guide for Practitioners (Part I)

2005-03-18

Rapid socio-economic assessment for the Alps ecoregion

2005-03-01

The Alpine data situation is so poor that it is not possible to give a detailed analysis and picture of the current socio-economic development in the Alpine region. Nevertheless it is possible by means of certain specific processes to produce sufficiently convincing and detailed conclusions.

Rapid policy assessment for the Alps ecoregion

2005-03-01

The Policy assessment intends to provide an initial overview of the legal and policy framework relevant to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in the Alpine region. It preludes to a broad identification and analysis of policies and legislation which either protect and enhance biodiversity or negatively affect biodiversity.

The policy assessment is designed to contribute to a wider analysis, which includes a biodiversity assessment and a socio-economic assessment. Its analysis of the current policy context provides WWF with an overview of key themes and opportunities for future action, which will feed into discussions on the future Alpine Programme, on WWF’s priorities and its potential role in the region.

Alternative to water retention basins, part II

2005-02-28

Second part of the Tagliamento river preliminary study for the identification of alternatives to water retention basins.

Water retention basins: how to avoid them

2005-02-28

Are water retention basins the only viable solutions to the flood problem? Of course not! WWF and its partners are looking into valid alternatives. Learn more in this downloadable preliminary study (part i and ii)

A model ecosystem of European importance

2005-02-28

The Fiume Tagliamento river system constitutes an invaluable resource not only as a reference site for the Alps, but as a model ecosystem for large European rivers.

It is critical to understand the functional roles of these endangered attributes in order to effectively engage in river conservation and management programmes.

The Tagliamento River in Italy offers the rare opportunity to investigate natural processes at a scale that can be studied almost nowhere else in Europe.

Tagliamento: a Friulan heritage

2005-02-28

Intensive research has been carried out along the Tagliamento river by a European team of scientists co-ordinated by the Swiss Federal Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (EAWAG).

Results underpin the immense value of this ecosystem for the Italian Friuli region as well as for the European Union, and they already support large-scale restoration projects in the Alps.

Call for participation

2005-02-28

If you are from an Alpine community,a public administration, a protected area, a scientific institution, an NGO, or a representetive of another sector and are interested in participating in a landscape level analysis of a priority area and a subsequent elaboration of an action plan, please contact us.

Refer to the dowloadable file for details

Panda Focus magazine on the Alps

2005-02-28

Special issue of WWF Italy's Panda Focus magazine, centred on the Alps, the problems and their possible solutions. In Italian.