Important Bird Areas (IBAs) Project

The important Bird Areas process is the application of internationally agreed criteria to define the global importance of sites for biodiversity conservation at a national level, followed by a cycle of monitoring, action and advocacy to ensure the conservation sites, in perpetuity.

IBA Prioritization

Conservation of biodiversity faces two major difficulties - environmentally destructive practices are aggravating at an alarming rate and resources or options for conservation are scanty. This situation entails targeting of limited resources for conservation to those components of biodiversity in most urgent need of conservation. This can be done through prioritization of our biodiversity for conservation action. Prioritization for biodiversity conservation is a process that involves intentional planning for conservation action. It requires a strategic approach to assessing what we have, defining what we need, setting a goal, realistically ranking what we have relative to our goals and listing actions for conservation.

To that effect, EWNHS has undertaken a study of locating and identifying 73 sites throughout Ethiopia that signified priorities for biodiversity conservation. While these 73 sites are priorities in themselves, the work of prioritising is not complete until we are able to say which sites are more important than others. Thus, it has become necessary to prioritise among priorities if we are to apply practical actions for conservation of IBAs. Accordingly, at a national IBA prioritization workshop conducted in 2000, the Ethiopian IBAs have been ranked into three conservation categories, namely, Critical, Urgent and High. For more information, refer to the full document.

	Abijata Shall NP	Lake Awassa
	Akaki Wetland	Lake Tana
	Berga FP	Ethiopia Iba's
	Aliyu Amba-Dulecha	Gambella NP
	Jemma-Jara	Lake Langano
	Did Liben

National Important Bird Area Conservation Strategy (NIBACS) -

NIBACS is an agreed and approved set of goals, objectives, priorities, mechanisms, means and actions developed to conserve IBAs in a participatory manner involving all institutions with clearly identified roles. Its focus is to provide a clear focus at a national level for plans and tools and building consensus for conserving IBAs through action by stakeholders. This, however, poses a question why we need a separate strategy in addition to already existing wide range of strategies and plans for conservation of biodiversity in the country. Over a thousand IBAs have been identified in Africa, of which, 73 are located in Ethiopia.  These IBAs vary widely in size, habitats covered, legal protection, and utilisation by local people, form of land use, exiting and potential threats and biodiversity support. Moreover, in a multi-stakeholder activity like IBA conservation, there should be very wide consultation to harmonise already existing initiatives in concerted manner. On the other hand, although there are clear guidelines for identification and prioritisation of IBAs and different stakeholders are involved in various activities with the aim of conserving IBAs, there is no holistic guideline for national IBA conservation work. This is probably due to high diversity of IBAs, overlaps in ecosystems and multiplicity of institutions and their respective mandates. There is no single existing strategy that can cover all of them at one single go. Existing conservation strategies, hence, do not adequately address the whole of IBA conservation and that there is a need for a framework. The NIBACS is developed to fill this need. NIBACS should therefore be developed bearing in mind the links it would have with other national biodiversity policies and strategies, such as NBSAP. For the full story of the NIBACS process in Ethiopia, please refer to Vol. I – III compiled on the issue.

NIBACS I

NIBACS II

NIBACS III

National IBA Monitoring Guidelines

Monitoring has become a buzzword that can be heard in environmental conservation communication much like “biodiversity'', “sustainability”, or “communities”. Institutions or projects of this or that kind cannot do without some form of monitoring in their work plans. Although there are various ways of defining monitoring, it generally involves the follow-up and regular checking of certain variables in order to detect changes or trends. The changes we are trying to follow-up (monitor) can be effects brought about by natural conditions in the environment or conditions where human manipulation is involved. Monitoring is also understood from a project cycle context where logical approaches are used to plan activities on determined indicators.

It is recognized that much of the planning in environmental conservation within Africa is not based on a firm ground of baseline data. As a result, decisions on the use of resources are haphazard and often lead to costly manoeuvres with irreparable consequences.  In this guideline, monitoring is dealt from an ecological standpoint, and more precisely on, carrying out ecological monitoring at Ethiopia's Important Bird Areas (IBAs). IBAs in this context are conservation sites with special biological significance (and at times with other cultural and historical importance) that require a regular audit of their status. Monitoring is an extremely valuable exercise that can provide information on location, timing and number of declines and credible evidence for legal action.

The guideline starts out by giving examples of current definitions of the word and sets out to explain various aspects of monitoring in connection to why, what, and who in monitoring. This is followed by a description of the stages and requirements of monitoring. A brief overview is given on other institutions that are carrying out ecological monitoring in the country and the relevance of these studies is seen vis-à-vis IBA monitoring. In the final chapters, guidelines are presented to assist the design of a monitoring strategy for IBAs in Ethiopia and a list of variables for monitoring work in Ethiopia's IBAs are summarized. For the full story, refer to the full document.

African Waterfowl Census (AfWC)

The African Waterfowl Census (AfWC) is a program being conducted in Ethiopia since 1991, as integral part of the International Waterfowl Census, which is an international activity to gather information on the distribution and abundance of waterfowl at the level of individual sites to contribute information to enhance the conservation of waterfowls and their wetland habitats. This activity assists to monitor trends in the size of waterfowl abundance in order to detect ecological problems and find solutions before species or wetlands become irrevocably affected.

EWNHS conducts the AfWC component in Ethiopia in collaboration with expatriate volunteers and experts drawn from federal government institutions, and agricultural offices at district levels.  Counts are done annually between December and February at 23 wetlands in the northern, central and southern parts of Ethiopia. Of the 23 count sites, 15 are IBAs and hence are candidate Ramsar sites. The purpose of the census is to assess the status of resident and wintering water birds and also to monitor any new development and modification plans at the wetlands that serve as wintering grounds in Ethiopia. The data are also important in compiling advocacy materials that would assist decision makers to take appropriate actions related with conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands in Ethiopia. For further information and back reports, contact Mengistu Wondafrash, National Coordinator, at ewnhs.ble@ethionet.et

Berga Community Wetland Management Project

The Site

Berga is a highland floodplain that is situated 77 km west of Addis Ababa . To reach this wetland, one would need to drive to Holeta first for 44 km and then turn off to the right driving another 30 km west before reaching the Berga floodplains. Geographically, it is located within the coordinates of 09 ° 16 N and 38 ° 23 E. Politically, it is situated in Ada Berga and Adis Alem Districts of Oromia Regional State . The wetland proper is bounded by the four peasant associations of Maru Chebot, Iteya, Sire Berga and Deku Kito .

The Berga Wet Land Environment

Berga is altitudinally set between 2450-2500 m. a.s.l. and exemplifies a typical grassland habitat of central highland Ethiopia . The wetland is naturally positioned on an East-West plane. The gently formed depressed valley of Berga , that forms the core area for the rare and endangered White-winged Flufftail ( Sarothura ayresi ), is bounded by hills and mountains on the North, East and West. These hills and mountains form important water catchment for Berga and with the position of the high ground that surrounds the depression it is easy to see that Berga would indeed contribute immensely towards the conservation of biodiversity and upkeep of livelihoods in the area. The Eastern mountains, known locally as the Adama are especially picturesque and form a chain that extends towards the southeast. The other hills that are adjacent to the wetland are Chebot on the northwest and the Kechema on the west.

Berga receives most of its water during the big rainy season that extends from June to August. Small rains during the months of March and April also augment the big rains. The streams in the north and northeast of the wetland provide water that flows down into the fan-shaped wetland. It is also interesting to note that the mountains that bound Berga on the Eastern side form a water divide for the catchments of the Awash and Blue Nile River . The water generated from streams flows in a southerly direction thereby entering the Awash basin and other streams and rivers flows in a northwesterly direction entering the Blue Nile system.

The wetland takes its name from the Berga River that cuts across the wetland. Berga River flows throughout the year but its current and hence the amount of water decreases with the advance of the dry season. The wetland spreads towards its end point near the Berga bridge.

People living in and around Berga are mainly livestock keepers but also till the ground especially on the slopes of the surrounding mountainous landscape. There is also incidence of increased use of grass especially hay for commercial purposes. Human population and the change of land tenure in the past three decades have resulted in increased conflict between different resource user groups. As a result the main stakeholder group at Berga are livestock keepers and cultivators. The presence of a state owned dairy farm enterprise has implications that would negatively or positively affect the management of the site because the area where the white-winged flufftail is found completely enclosed within its premises.

While Berga wetlands are not a protected area by definition, the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society has identified it as an important bird area. The main ornithological interest in this area arises as a result of the presence of the White-winged Flufftail Sarothura ayresi that has a world population of less than 750 individuals. These individuals are only known from highly isolated highland marshes in South Africa and Ethiopia . Berga is considered as immensely important because it provides the best breeding site for this bird globally. It is estimated that Berga could hold upto 200 breeding pairs of White-winged Flufftail during years of when favourable habitat exists. Besides the White-winged Flufftail, Berga is also home to other vulnerable and threatened birds including the Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus , Abyssinian Long-claw Macronyx flavicollis , Rouget's Rail Rougetius rougeti , Great Snipe Gallinago media , Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus and the Spot-breasted Plover Vanellus melanocephalus .

Threats to Berga

Several threats are evident on the sites:

•  Mostly indirect threats in the form of habitat destruction. •  Severe grazing and modernised development options. •  Overgrazing and overuse of grass for domestic purposes. •  Possible intervention in the form of privatisation. •  Trampling of vegetation by livestock and cutting of green grass •  Lack of awareness on wetland values and benefits.
	Threats to the Bird

Why is Berga-Weserbi a priority site?

•  Montane grassland wetlands are common feature in Ethiopia but are facing increasing threat from overuse, misuse or “modern development”.

•  Unique as the result of the ecology and interaction with human communities

•  The area is not protected

•  The White-winged Flufftail's main population is only found in Ethiopia .

•  Berga-Weserbi is a priority IBA as the result of the threats and biological importance it exhibits.

•  The livelihoods of people at the site is closely tied to the nature of the area.

•  Awareness and values on wetlands is non-existent and/or taken for granted.

The Project

Need

This project was proposed to develop an example of improved management and benefits for local communities from a wetland in central Ethiopia . A large part of Ethiopia 's human population lives in highlands and these mountainous regions are vital sources of water.

What action was required?

	•  Knowledge on the nature, distribution, human use and importance of wetlands •  Knowledge on the ecology of White-winged Flufftail. •  Understand the dependence of livelihoods on wetlands at Berga-Weserbi •  Raise awareness and increase capacity of local people.
Community education about family planning at berga

 

A number of considerations were needed before the final proposal was drafted for this site. Amongst the main consideration were:

•  The project would need to involve the community.

•  It needed a clear linkage to poverty alleviation.

•  It should provide knowledge base on the site including physical, biological and ecological

•  It would need to mobilize the community.

•  Project developed by EWNHS, in 2002, under the title “ Community-based Wetland Management for Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Conservation in Ethiopia ”

Project Summary:

•  Recognizing the susceptibility of Ethiopia 's regions to drought;

•  Aware of the fact that highland wetlands are sources of water;

•  Appreciating that these wetlands have resources that sustain rural livelihoods and food security;

•  Understanding the value of wetlands to biodiversity conservation and their multiple functions to sustain life;

•  The project will strive to strengthen community management of Ethiopian wetlands at Berga and Weserbi.

•  The project will strive to empower local communities by giving them a voice in local decision-making

•  It will support effective functioning of Site Support Groups and other CBOs.

•  Project will also strive to improve local livelihoods by reducing poverty reduction through developing improved livestock management and arable farming productivity.

Objectives

•  Conserving the biodiversity value of Berga in relation to the White-winged Flufftail.

•  Develop capacity of local communities in NRM.

•  Reduce pressure on wetlands by improving alternative income generating opportunities.

•  Dissemination of knowledge gained from the project.

•  To strengthen marginalized and poor groups to address issues that affect their lives.

•  Access to information to local communities

•  Establish strengthened community management of highland wetlands at Berga.

•  Enhance involvement of site-adjacent communities and stakeholders in planning, management and equitable sharing of resources.

•  Develop improved livestock management.

•  Strengthen capacity of concerned Govt. institutions and NGOs in promoting improved wetland management and community institutions at other highland wetlands.

Project Outputs

•  Strengthening of Site Support Groups.

•  Trainings and awareness raising activities.

•  Strengthened involvement and decision-making of local communities in local wetland management issues.

•  Continued monitoring and studies on the White-winged Flufftail and its habitat.

•  Studies and data collection on hydrology, socio-economics, natural resource management, and gender analysis

•  Management plan in progress and in final stages of development.

•  Training on biodiversity conservation through community participation and development.

•  Construction of a multi-purpose house.

•  Site patrol by members of the SSG.

•  Development Tree nursery and vegetable gardens.

Participatory Wetland Management

One of the principal driving forces of this project, from the design stage has been to create and maintain a strong community linkage to site conservation. This has been made possible by sensitising and moblising community members to form a voluntary alliance that would promote the sustainable use of the site's natural resources. The presence of water and grass especially are the focus of the work because these two resources are invaluable for the livelihood of people and the White-winged Flufftail.

Formation of Site Support Groups

Site Support Group defines members of local communities who share a common interest in the long-term well-being of their site and are involved in raising awareness, monitoring and carrying out conservation activities at their site. Members can include men, women, young, old farmers, students, teachers and the unemployed. SSGs are characterised by the spirit of volunteerism and can exist independent of whether conservation activities are going on at preferred sites or not. Their main aim is to link biodiversity conservation with improved livelihoods for local people.

Site Support Group

The Need to set up SSG at Berga

Conservation is effective when it is carried out by people who are affected worse by its absence. This mainly refers to the local people who live in communities in or along side critical areas that harbour biodiversity. As people living near a resource, the local people would need to have a say in what happens to the resource that makes their survival in that place possible.

The SSG at Berga are made up of 33 individuals that represent the 4 peasant association found adjacent to the breeding area of the White-winged Flufftail. Of the 33, eight are women. The SSG works independently and has its own executive committee and byelaws.