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Forests of the Upper Yangtze projects [map of FUY ecoregion]
Forests of the Upper Yangtze Biological Vision: A Priority-Setting Excercise Best known as the home of the giant panda, the Forests of the Upper Yangtze ecoregion in southwest China has been identified by WWF as a globally significant center of biological diversity. It spans approximately 727,000km2 and includes south-central Shaanxi, south-central Gansu, most of Sichuan and north-western Yunnan. In addition to the giant panda, these forests shelter the takin, clouded leopard, snub-nosed monkey and many species of flowering plants. They also play a crucial role in providing fuel-wood and freshwater for local people, and in regulating the flow of water and nutrients in the mighty Yangtze River. Objective To reach a common vision of the areas of highest conservation priority within the ecoregion, based on scientific data and expert opinion, and to build a network of partners to work toward the successful achievement of that vision. Current Status A biological assessment of the Forests of the Upper Yangtze was completed in 2001. Carried out in collaboration with Chinese scientists and the national and international conservation community, the assessment determined the current condition of the forests and species in the region. In March 2002, WWF collaborated with Conservation International (CI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to convene a "biovision" workshop for the Forests of the Upper Yangtze. The workshop brought together 60 of China's leading authorities in flora and fauna to identify the most important sites to conserve within the ecoregion if we are to preserve endangered species like the Giant Panda and the habitat in which they live. Our cooperation with CI and TNC will further strengthen our ability to advance conservation goals in this unique and vital ecoregion. WWF China's Forest Programme contributed vital biological background information and analysis to the workshop analysis to the workshop through their Systematic Conservation Planning project. Partners Chinese Academy of Forestry; Sichuan Provincial Planning Commission; Chengdu Institute of Biology; Conservation International; The Nature Conservancy Donor
This project was supported jointly by WWF, CI, and TNC
Heavy logging before the ban caused soil erosion and reduced wildlife populations, contributing to the existing widespread poverty in this area. The logging ban, while addressing these issues, has in turn led to the loss of several thousand jobs in the Minshan logging sector. Increases in illegal logging and poaching may also be attributable to the ban as local people attempt to fill the financial gap left by their lost jobs. In response, WWF is working with a wide range of stakeholders to develop an approach to conservation that balances the ecological, social, and economic needs of the landscape. We are working with local partners to improve management of the region’s natural resources through greater community involvement and by helping local people to develop livelihoods which are both environmentally and economically sustainable. This project contributes to the conservation of the Forests of the Upper Yangtze ecoregion. Objective To increase the extent and quality of the forests in the Minshan Mountains landscape, for the benefit of key species, in particular the giant panda, while enhancing the livelihood security of local communities. Current Status WWF is conducting a biological assessment of the Minshan landscape to determine priority areas for conservation intervention. The assessment will produce a map of current land uses such as protected areas, farmland, and state forest enterprises and indicate the potential for ecotourism and development of environmentally friendly livelihoods such as beekeeping. WWF will then work with stakeholders, ranging from provincial officials to community representatives, to develop and reach agreement on a conservation strategy for the landscape which ensures sustainable economic growth. Partners Sichuan and Gansu Forestry Departments; Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences; Sichuan Academy of Forestry; Chinese Academy of Forestry; State Forestry Administration; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Pingwu, Qingchuan, Beichuan, Songpan. Maoxian, Jiuzaiguo counties in Sichuan Province and Wenxian county in Gansu Province Donors
The Luce Foundation
WWF China has been working together with Baimaxueshan Nature Reserve since 1996, when we initiated field research and an awareness campaign to save the highly endangered Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey. Since then WWF China has supported a range of environmental education and training initiatives. In 1998, WWF held a four-day training on project cycle management in Baimaxueshan for reserve staff and representatives of local government departments. We also conducted a training needs assessment for nature reserve staff. After the workshop, a team made up of reserve staff plus economics, forestry, biodiversity, and community development experts went to four local villages to collect socio-economic and biological data. The assessment group used participatory methods to do baseline surveys and a community needs assessment. This was the first time that reserve staff and local people discussed conservation and development problems, and both sides found it a very positive basis for future dialogue and cooperation. In 1999, additional training on participatory reserve management was provided to key staff of the Baimaxueshan nature reserve through a training seminar jointly organized by WWF and the Sichuan Forestry College. WWF also provided the reserve with some basic equipment (telephone and fax machine, binoculars for patrolling etc.) to strengthen the effectiveness of nature reserve management and to facilitate communications. Reserve staff also attended a WWF environmental education training workshop in Beijing, and supported a new cooperative project between reserve staff and a prominent local Tibetan Buddhist rimpoche. During 2000, we organized an action research project that brought together forest ecologists, reserve staff, and farmers to assess the management of collective forests in Baimaxueshan. Participating villages elected management committees to improve forest protection, and revised village rules on forest resource use. Two of the villages decided to close off certain mountainsides to promote faster forest regeneration, and invited a Living Buddha to give blessings to their actions. Using participatory approaches, villagers themselves analyzed their situation, identified problems and devised solutions. The project has helped identify sources of technical assistance, mostly local, and many activities are underway. Fuel efficient stoves, built by farmers themselves, use less wood and heat homes more efficiently. Fixed cattle sheds, built of stone, have replaced temporary wooden stalls. A revolving fund has been set up to help cover veterinary costs, and local veterinary experts have been trained. Health training targets village women, who in addition to having many unaddressed health needs themselves are also primary health care providers for children. And several simple water supply projects have improved access to drinking water and increased the area of irrigated crops. Partners Office of Nature Reserve of Yunnan Forestry Department Deqin County Government Baimaxueshan Nature Reserve Bureau Forestry Bureau of Diqing Prefecture Donors AUSAid Panda Conservation in the Minshan Landscape (Minshan Project) Within the Forests of the Upper Yangtze, WWF has identified the Minshan mountain range in Sichuan and Gansu as a particularly outstanding landscape for unique and endangered wildlife, with important populations of giant panda, clouded leopard, golden monkey and the world's richest variety of pheasants. The Minshan covers parts of sixteen counties and 19 nature reserves and is populated by close to one million Han, Tibetan, Qiang, and Baima people. In 1998, massive flooding devastated a large area along the Yangtze River downstream from Sichuan. In response to this disaster the Chinese government declared a ban on logging in order to protect the river's upper watershed forests. The logging ban effectively eliminated what had been the major threat to pandas and their habitat: commercial logging. At the same time, it brought new challenges. With no more revenue from taxes on logging, local government has fewer funds to support conservation. In response, WWF together with a wide range of stakeholders has developed and is implementing an approach to conservation that balances the ecological, social, and economic needs of the landscape. This project is demonstrating community-based conservation of the giant panda and its habitat in both protected areas and the communities in Pingwu county and seeks to scale up these experiences to other areas in the Minshan landscape. Objective By 2012, giant panda populations and their habitats increased by at least 10% in Minshan through the mitigation of key threats to pandas and their habitat and the implementation of model conservation approaches by WWF and its partners. At the same time, through effective project demonstration and magnification, panda populations and their habitats elsewhere maintained at least stable. Current Status This project is a new initiative that is the continuum of the WWF Pingwu Integrated Conservation and Development Project (1997-2002) in Sichuan province. Achievements of WWF's Pingwu ICDP project in improving conservation in Pingwu include building the capacity of Wanglang Nature Reserve staff, developing ecotourism, and developing alternative livelihoods for local communities. As a result, Wanglang is becoming a leading nature reserve in terms of ecotourism development, ecological monitoring and patrolling, anti-poaching and participatory management. The Conservation Division of the Sichuan Forestry Department and Mianyang Municipality advocate Wanglang as a model nature reserve. The experiences of the Pingwu ICDP project are to be magnified to enhance the conservation of the whole Minshan landscape. Pingwu ICDP will also be coordinated with WWF's Minshan Initiative project (see WWF China's forest programme) in order to effectively promote protection of the Minshan landscape. Crucial panda corridors in the Minshan Panda Nature Reserve network will be improved by working with the GEF and EU Natural Forest Protection Project and through China's NFPP (logging ban policy). The Panda Conservation in the Minshan Landscape project also seeks to establish a platform of cooperative research and protection action, technical exchange, human resources and information sharing in order to effectively protect the Minshan panda habitat. Major achievements in the transition period (July 2002-December 2002)
Wanglang Nature Reserve upgraded to national level nature reserve:
Expanding Xuebaoding nature reserve: Xuebaoding Nature Reserve is one of three nature reserves in Pingwu. The elevation of the reserve ranges from 4,828 to 1,600 meters. It is dominated by the natural forest ecosystem in which over 50 species of national protected animals can be found, including the giant panda, golden monkey and takin. Its location is vital as a panda corridor. The expansion of Xuebaoding has increased its area from 29,000 hectares to 63,615 hectares. This is a significant achievement in that a critical panda corridorhabitat has now come under protection. WWF Pingwu ICDP project also supported a baseline data investigation of socio-economic and biological data in Xuebaoding. The information will be used to develop a masterplan to be implemented in Xuebaoding nature reserve so as to guide Xuebaoding nature reserve management.
Pingwu Tourism Festival:
Monitoring and patrolling training:
Developing and promoting alternative livelihoods: Out of 325 households in the Baima township, 295 households are now cultivating organic cabbage commercially. Pingwu ICDP together with the Baima township government have provided training and seedlings for cultivating cabbage commercially. ICDP, the Baima township and farmers shared 1/3 of the cabbage seedling expenditure. After harvesting, the average household earned 1900RMB (gross income) from cabbage cultivation. Furthermore, Pingwu ICDP investigated ways to integrate the project with local government. (Pingwu ICDP currently implements the community development project directly). This move aims to integrate community development for conservation into the local government's development framework.
Monitoring and patrolling guidance training: Partners
Sichuan Forestry Department
Qinling giant panda focal project Based on a national survey in the mid-1980s, approximately 1000 wild pandas were found in an estimated distribution area of around 13,000 km2. The Qinling mountain range in Shaanxi Province is the northernmost distribution area for the giant panda and is also one of the areas with the densest panda population. The Qinling giant panda population has been found mainly in the Foping, Yang County, Ningshan, Taibai and Chenggu areas of Qinling. The Qinling panda population is an independent panda population with about 200-300 pandas. The population size is relatively small and it is distributed in a separate mountain range with little connection with others, which make the Qinling population very fragile. With the rapid development of China, human expansion and disturbances have become major threats to the animal. The pressure is expected to grow rapidly after the implementation of the Western China Development Program. If no immediate conservation measures are taken, the Qinling population may become on the verge of extinction. The Qinling Panda Focal Project believes that a balanced future for both conservation and development depends on enterprises and investments. By mobilizing partners from the private sector to adopt a demonstration model, we will help to bring change to the mainstream. Therefore, while continuing effective cooperation with traditional partners, WWF hopes to bring a win-win solution to both conservation and economic development in the panda habitat. Objective WWF’s vision is that by 2012, the Qinling giant panda population will have increased by at least 10% and its protected habitats increased by at least 80%. These goals will be met by mobilizing non-conventional stakeholders to adopt and apply conservation and sustainable use approaches in their policies, decision-making, investments and consumption behavior. Current status WWF officially launched the Qinling Panda Focal Project in March 2002. The project contains three modules: Habitat protection and the creation of five ecological corridors for the giant panda population in the Qinling mountain range Cooperation between biodiversity conservation and tourism development in the Southern Taibaishan region of Zhouzhi in the Qinling mountain range Sustainable community development for the whole Qinling giant panda range Major achievements so far include: In late 2002, the Shaanxi provincial government has officially sanctioned five new panda reserves and five panda corridors, increasing protected areas in Qinling by 130,000 hectares. The five new giant panda reserves are Motian Qinling Reserve (8,520 h), Ningqiang Qingmu Chuan Reserve (10,200 h), Guanyinshan Reserve (13,534 h), Sangyuan Reserve (13,805.7 h) and Ningshan Reserve (26,732 h). WWF-supported conservation-based community activities were carried out in Changqing Nature Reserve in the Qinling mountains. These activities included cultivating salmon as an alternative livelihood, installing wood-saving stoves, supporting village infirmaries and providing small amounts of credit for community development. These practices have increased public awareness of conservation and participation and helped villagers restructure logging-based industries, which ceased operation after the 1998 logging ban. They have also decreased illegal logging and poaching considerably. The project now aims to magnify these activities to other areas of Qinling. The Houzhenzi Forest Plantation, in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi province, formally established a wildlife patrolling team in September 2002. Supported by WWF, the 30-member team will protect and monitor 51,167 hectares of the northern side of the Qinling Mountains, one of the few remaining natural habitats of the giant panda. To avoid potential ecological problems caused by random tourism development, WWF, Xi'an Municipality and the Zhouzhi County government are working together to develop a framework for integrating biodiversity conservation and tourism in the Southern Taibaishan Region of Shaanxi province. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in June 2002. The project’s official launch in March 2002 attracted extensive media attention, including all the major TV and print agencies. China Central Television Station's most influential news program also reported on the launch. Because of the extensive media coverage, Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., a Belgian company based in Xi’an, together with a Belgian zoo, invested USD 500,000 for captive panda conservation in Shaanxi. According to the Shaanxi Forestry Department, this is the largest non-governmental investment they have ever received for wildlife conservation. Partners
Shaanxi Forestry Department Donor
WWF Netherlands
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