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Forest Fires, A Burning Issue

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The land and forest fires that hit the ASEAN region in 1997- 1998 have been so severe that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) labeled them as among the most damaging in recorded history. Their environmental, economic and social dimensions and impact, and the associated transboundary haze pollution have been profound. The total economic losses in terms of agriculture production, destruction of forest lands, health, transportation, tourism, and other economic endeavors have been estimated at $9.3 billion....

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  1. ABOUT YOU AND US Letter from the ASEAN Secretariat Dear Readers, ing ASEAN today. Each ASEAN member country is striv- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ing to be vigilant in undertaking short and medium term (ASEAN) envisions by the year 2020 a clean and green measures to prevent or control land and forest fires. environment with its rich human and natural resources The Hanoi Plan of Action addresses the haze issue contributing to development and shared prosperity. To help through the full implementation of the ASEAN Coopera- realize this Vision, the ASEAN Environment Ministers tion Plan on Transboundary Pollution, in particular the adopted the ASEAN Environmental Education Plan 2000- Regional Haze Action Plan (RHAP) within the year. It is 2005 in October 2000. The Plan aims to translate that strengthening the capability of the ASEAN Specialized Vision into reality through environmental education and Meteorological Centre to monitor forest and land fires public participation, thereby ensuring that the regional cul- and provide early warning on transboundary haze. tural traditions are in rhythm and harmony with nature, and We have already made substantial progress in the citizens environmentally literate, imbued with environmental implementation of the three key components of the ethic, and willing and capable to contribute to the sustain- RHAP: prevention, monitoring and mitigation. In ad- able development of the region. dition, eight Ministerial Meetings on the Environment, As a collaborative framework for regional and inter- 18 meetings of the Haze Technical Task Force, and national cooperation, the Plan outlines priority activities eight meetings of the Joint Sub-Regional Fire Fighting that can be successfully implemented at the national and Arrangements (SRFA) for Borneo and Sumatra were held regional levels. to review, implement and oversee the RHAP activities. It is in this context that we happily note that the ASEAN We welcome “ASEAN Biodiversity” as a new vehicle Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation is publish- for education and information dissemination in the re- ing ASEAN Biodiversity. This newsletter is supportive of gion. It lets readers know about our plans and activities, our endeavor to boost environmental knowledge and which we hope they will continue to support. awareness in the region, a topic that falls under one of our areas of cooperation – land and forest fires and transboundary haze. Haze pollution arising from fires continues to be the RODOLFO C. SEVERINO most prominent and pressing environmental problem fac- Secretary-General of ASEAN we would be pleased to receive con- Please submit articles within the given Call for Papers tributions on spatial visualizing meth- ods and tools used in learning and deadlines. Articles should have a maximum of 2,500 words and be We have already identified the negotiation processes related to re- submitted in digital (MS Word) and theme of the first quarter 2002 issue source use, management and ten- hard format. Drawings and dia- of ASEAN Biodiversity. ure. Different from conventional par- grams may be enclosed. Pictures are ticipatory literature - which places welcome either as prints or in digital The January - March 2002 issue will emphasis on social learning and con- format. The latter should be scanned deal with Community-based Map- sensus building - the papers should at high resolution (300 dpi, 200%) ping and GIS applications for Col- deal with social learning, conflict ne- and saved in *.tif format. laborative Natural Resource Man- gotiation and network building as agement (deadline for submission: key ingredients for innovative think- Please note that the editors reserve February 28, 2002). For this issue, ing and actions. the right to edit submitted articles. 2 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  2. ABOUT YOU AND US Readers’ Corner Dear Co-Directors Contents Vol. 1, No. 3 July-September 2001 The Asian Development Bank shares the Giacomo Rambaldi same interest to strengthen and promote About You And Us biodiversity conservation and management Letter from the ASEAN Secretariat 2 Technical Advisor, Coordinator in the Asian and Pacific region. Bridget P. Botengan We congratulate you for having an in- Readers’ Corner 3 Editor formative publication and wishing you suc- 3rd Quarter in a Nutshell 4 Sahlee Bugna cess in all your future endeavors. Rexie Jane Parreño Editorial Writers Indira J. Simbolan Forest Fires, A Burning Issue 10 Social Development Specialist Nanie Gonzales Asian Development Bank Creative Artist Metro Manila, Philippines Special Reports Glenn Garcia ASEAN’s Response Strategy in Addressing Circulation Manager Transboundary Haze Pollution 11 Dear Co-Directors EDITORIAL BOARD We would like to take this opportunity to Impact of Forest Fires on Biodiversity thank you for the inclusion of the CREST in ASEAN 15 Gregorio I. Texon John R. MacKinnon Co-Directors (Coral Reef Education for Students and Teach- The Ecology of Forest Fires 18 ers) in the Capsule Reviews of Some Training Norma M. Molinyawe Resources Database Entries which appeared Forest Fires in the ASEAN Region: NBRU-Philippines in your first issue of ASEAN Biodiversity (Janu- Data, Definitions and Disaster? 22 Dr. Lena C. Chan ary-June 2001). Biodiversity Loss in Sumatra, Indonesia NBRU-Singapore Please let us know how else we Vegetation Fires: cause or symptom 28 can best assist your office on matters related GUEST EDITORS to marine biodiversity. Our email address Forest Fire in Malaysia: Coordination and Support Unit is: info@imamarinelife.org, website: Its Management and Impact on for the Regional Haze Action Plan www.imamarinelife.org. At present we have Biodiversity 31 (CSU-RHAP) under the Environment Unit country offices in Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, A Review of the Protected Area of the ASEAN Secretariat Philippines, Hong Kong) and the Pacific System of Thailand 36 (Vanuatu, Fiji, Marshall Islands), an Integra- ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity tive Biological Research Program based at Conservation (ARCBC) the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, Bookmarks Headquarters: and our International Headquarters based in 3rd Meeting of the Scientific P.O. Box 35015 College, Laguna 4031 Honolulu, Hawaii. Experts’ Committee of ARCBC/ Philippines We find the newsmagazine very informa- Tels.: +63-49.536-1659 or 536-4042 tive and we hope to be able to find more 2nd Research Conference Telefax: +63-49.5363173 or 536-2865 articles on marine matters in the succeeding Scientific Experts Recommend E-mail: contact.us@arcbc.org.ph issues. 37 Biodiversity Projects 42 Website: www.arcbc.org.ph ARCBC Launches Research Grant ARCBC Annex Mary Jean Caleda Programme 42 Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center International Marinelife Alliance North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, 1156 4th ARCBC Steering Committee Meeting P.O. Box 1614 QC CPO, Philippines ASOEN Approves ARCBC Programs for Tels.: +63-2.926-9163 / 925-8406 / 925-8407 Dear Co-Directors 2002; welcomes Laos and Cambodia 44 Fax : +63-2.925-8408 Email: publications@arcbc.org.ph It is hard to think of fires at this moment Their Biodiversity and Management without thinking about the devastating attacks in the Philippines Technical Assistance Service Contract: on New York and Washington on September Tackling the Issue on Alien Invasive SECA Montpellier, France 11th. We offer our condolences to those who Species 45 Printed by: COR-ASIA, Philippineso have lost loved ones. But while the international community can International Conference on Community No. of Copies: 4,000 so easily acquire billions of dollars to clean Involvement in Fire Management up the rubble on Manhattan or fight terrorism, Communities in Flames 47 Disclaimer: Views or opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent any the biological heritage of Asia especially Surfing the Web of Life 48 official view of the European Union, the Southeast Asia remains under such severe threats. Indeed earlier this summer US taxpay- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, or the Department of ers were sent a $40 billion tax refund! Profiles Shall we just continue dreaming of billions Overview of the ASEAN Heritage Parks 49 Environment and Natural Resources. The of dollars to save our environment? We hope authors are responsible for any data or to wake up one day and see the US taking the Mt. Apo Natural Park - Philippines 52 information presented in their articles. lead. Meanwhile, the environmental bomb Khao Yai National Park - Thailand 58 ticks. Letters, articles, suggestions and Roland Geronimo Database photos are welcome and should be Makati City Biodiversity Information Sharing Service 64 addressed to: Join the World Roster of ASEAN The Editor, ASEAN Biodiversity Biodiversity Specialists 66 ARCBC Annex Dear Co-Directors Ninoy Aquino Parks and We wish to acknowledge receipt of the Building on Nano-diversity Wildlife Nature Center, maiden issue of ASEAN Biodiversity. The Microbial Information Management North Avenue, Diliman, newsmagazine will be of great help to our in Thailand 67 Quezon City, 1156 students and faculty of the University of the P.O. Box 1614 QC CPO, Philippines (U.P Integrated School. .) Philippines Publications Fax: +63-2.925-8408 Teresita D. Santos Training Resources Database Entries E-mail: publications@arcbc.org.ph Head Librarian Capsule Reviews 69 U.P Integrated School, Quezon City . ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 3
  3. ABOUT YOU AND US 3rd Quarter in a Nutshell September 29 – Eighteen government of the provinces vegetation that line the banks species of plants and animals new sites in 13 countries of Cebu, Iloilo, Negros of their spawning grounds. that are threatened in other have been added to the Occidental and Masbate to The riparian plants provide parts of the country and in the United Nations World pool their resources and shade that regulate tempera- rest of the world. The wetlands Network of Biosphere expertise in saving the ture, shelters along the river are linked to the Amazon basin, Reserves, and two existing Visayan Sea through the in which young salmon can forming a biological and biosphere reserves have been establishment of the PhP100- find refuge, and also help genetic corridor. They serve as extended. The reserves million (around US$2 million) river sediments stay in place, freshwater reserves for the provide a framework for the Integrated Visayan Sea reducing erosion. surrounding human communi- study and conservation of the Coastal Resources and But the salmon give just ties. environment and for the Fisheries Management as much back to the riparian The Bolivian Pantanal is sustainable use of natural Program (VisSea). plants. Salmon die shortly the best-preserved portion of resources. The World The Visayan Sea has been after they have spawned, the larger Pantanal system. It Network now consists of 411 identified as one of the adding vital nutrients to the regulates floods and droughts sites in 94 countries. biggest and most productive water and nearby ecosystems. in a vast area of Eastern Membership in the World fishing grounds in the country. Plants in spawning sites Bolivia. It has rich biodiversity, Network of Biosphere It is the top source of contain a higher level of sustaining at least 197 species Reserves represents a label of commercially produced nitrogen, compared to other of fish, more than 70 species excellence that helps secure fisheries nationwide with areas. Because of the of amphibians and reptiles, at funding and promotes tourism 13.5% and the third largest mutually dependent least 300 species of birds, and and the local economy. It also source of municipal fisheries relationship between over 50 species of large facilitates the exchange of with 11.5%. salmon and riparian mammals. It is bounded by dry experiences on integrating Funding sources for the vegetation, a decline in forests that are considered human needs with environ- program include the Deutsche salmon could cause changes among the most endangered mental conservation. Gesellschaft fur Technische in the forest. Those changes and least protected biomass in Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), a may in turn harm the salmon, the world. September 29 – The government agency of the and speed up its decline. The Bolivian government’s Department of Environment Republic of Germany, which decision has been recognized and Natural Resources (DENR) will be providing technical September 19 – The as a Gift to the Earth by the and the World Wide Fund for assistance amounting to Nigerian Conservation World Wide Fund for Nature Nature (WWF)-Philippines P100 million (US$2 M); the Foundation (NCF) stated that (WWF), and represents close have forged a partnership for Bureau of Fisheries and poor management of to 10 % of the global the joint management of Agricultural Resources, which Nigeria’s environment is conservation goal of WWF’s the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine committed PhP2.5 million costing the country around Living Waters Program. Some Ecoregion (SSME), protecting (US$50,000); and the $5 billion a year in ruined 128 countries are now parties the habitat of the sea turtle and Philippine Council for Aquatic land and lost forests. Much to the Ramsar Convention. Dugong (sea cow), which are and Marine Research and of the damage results from oil They have set aside 1,093 both in the endangered list. Development (PCAMARD), and gas extraction in the wetlands, totaling 336,000 This was announced by which has agreed to allocate Niger Delta region, while square miles, designated for Environment Secretary PhP1 million (US$20,000). illegal logging is speeding inclusion in the Ramsar List of Heherson T. Alvarez after Provincial government offices deforestation and the Wetlands of International signing a Memorandum of and Local Government Units southwards advance of the Importance. Understanding with WWF for will provide staff, office Sahara desert, which a 5-year plan to develop and spaces, equipment and threatens to destroy rare plant implement this long-term additional financial support. and animal species in conservation program to northern parts of the country. protect the outstanding September 21 – A study in Complaints over biodiversity and natural the September issue of the environmental management resources of the country, journal ‘Ecology’ states that have contributed to years of particularly in the Sulu salmon in the rivers of the tension and violence in the peninsula. Pacific Northwest nourish and oil-rich Niger Delta region of September 18 – The World One of the important sustain the forests through the country, Africa’s biggest Bank recently approved a grant features of the US$ 500,000- which they travel. Efforts to oil producer. funding worth $ 15.24 million program is the establishment protect Pacific salmon need to to the governments of South of a Tri-National Turtle include comprehensive tactics September 19 – The Africa and Lesotho for the five- Reserve between the focused not only on the fish, Bolivian government year Maloti-Drakensberg Philippines, Indonesia and but also on their larger designated three wetlands Transfrontier Conservation Malaysia to conserve the ecosystem. totaling 17,760 square miles and Development Project. largest nesting grounds of The health of salmon as protected sites under The project is a long-term green and hawksbill turtles in populations both depends on the Ramsar Convention. collaborative initiative between the ASEAN region, effectively and influences the vitality of Endangered species such as the the governments of South expanding the coverage of the land-based ecosystems. The jaguar, the tapir, the giant river Africa and the Kingdom of existing Turtle Islands research calls into question otter, and the hyacinth macaw Lesotho to protect the Heritage Protected Area. traditional single species inhabit these wetlands, located exceptional biodiversity of the approaches to fisheries in the lowlands of Bolivia. The Drakensberg and Maloti September 27 – The management, endangered three wetlands — Bañados del Mountains through conserva- Philippines’ Department of species legislation, and Izogog-Rio Parapeti, El Palmar tion, sustainable resource and Environment and Natural ecological restoration. de las Islas-Salinas de San land-use, and development Resources (DENR) will link Salmon benefit from the José, and Bolivian Pantanal — planning. It will support the hands with the provincial plants, known as riparian are also home to hundreds of continued collaboration of the 4 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  4. ABOUT YOU AND US two countries in transboundary enforcement and illegal under the Endangered natural resources management logging. One of the most Species Act, is facing new and the development of a important highlights of the threats from salmon farmers Photo by Edwin Masteller strategic partnership between Conference was the signing of and commercial trawlers. the governments, private sector a Ministerial Declaration of Reduced food supply is and communities for sustain- Commitment between driving sea lions to infiltrate able conservation and environment and forestry salmon nets. The Canadian development. ministers and secretaries of Department of Fisheries and East Asian countries to Oceans previously permitted September 18 – The death address important issues of salmon farmers to shoot and disappearance of forest law enforcement. cut anything they come in marine mammal predators if breeds of farm animal contact with, and can attach they threaten their stock. and plants are threaten- August 24 – Research to solid objects such as This has led to an upsurge ing long-term food indicates that Africa’s forest submerged rocks, dock in sea mammal killings. security and depriving elephants are genetically pilings, and boat hulls. They Over the past 10 years, remaining species of the distinct from the better- can clog intake pipes at salmon farmers have shot ability to resist disease and known savanna el- power plants and require nearly 5,000 marine harsh climates. The United ephants. This means that expensive treatments to mammals, including 300 Nations Food and Agriculture there are now three species remove them. Competition Stellers. To protect the Organization (FAO) says two of elephants – two African between the two species animals, the Sierra Club and breeds of farm animals and one Asian. Compared occurs at different levels the Friends of Clayoquot disappear each week, and to savanna elephants, forest including food and space, to Sound are lobbying to have 1,350 breeds face extinction. elephants are smaller, and the detriment of the native the fish farms moved inland. Over the past 15 years, 300 have more rounded ears and mussel population. out of 6,000 breeds of farm straighter, thinner tusks. A study of aquatic August 20 – “An Assess- animal have become extinct. Scientists have proposed the nuisance species by the ment of the Status of Latest information scientific name Loxodonta Pacific States Marine Fisheries the World’s Remaining suggests that 30% of the cyclotis for the forest Commission with support Closed Forests” shows that world’s farm animal breeds elephants. from the U.S. Coast Guard 80.6% of the world’s are at risk of disappearing, and and the Fish and Wildlife remaining closed forests are their valuable traits, such as August 23 – The World Service will seek a solution located in 15 countries: their ability to adapt to harsh Wide Fund for Nature to the zebra mussel popula- Russia, Brazil, Canada, the conditions, disease, drought (WWF)-Australia has estab- tion as well as attempt to United States, the Demo- and poor quality feed, could lished a campaign to return native species to their cratic Republic of Congo, be lost too. If diversity safeguard the Great natural habitats. China, Indonesia, Mexico, continues to shrink, there are Barrier Reef World Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, increasing risks of producing a Heritage Area, considered August 22 – The Kissama Venezuela, India, Australia large percentage of food the most biologically rich Foundation revealed and Papua New Guinea. based on few varieties or marine ecosystem on the plans to reintroduce Targeting conservation funds breeds, which could just as planet. The campaign aims to wildlife to Angola through on these 15 key countries easily be wiped out by eliminate damaging impacts the donation of 300 may pay dividends in terms disease. on the Reef and to create a elephants from Botswana. of environmental results. To global benchmark for marine Animal welfare groups protect these forests, the September 11 – The protection through a network welcomed the project but report recommends increas- Philippines’ Department of of fully protected zones remain concerned about ing their inclusion in more Environment and Natural throughout the Marine Park. wildlife security in a country protected areas, strengthen- Resources (DENR) Secretary The Great Barrier Reef that has been at civil war ing policies against smug- Heherson T. Alvarez attended requires an extensive network since 1975. The foundation, gling and poaching of trees the Ministerial Conference of fully protected areas for its however, assures environ- and wildlife, as well as on Forest Law Enforce- long-term survival. Recent mentalists that the 50,000- encouraging wealthy ment and Governance- satellite photographs show acre park is secured by an countries to invest in East Asia (MCFLEG-EA) evidence of sediment electric fence and more than conservation efforts in hosted by the World Bank pollution from coastal rivers 40 trained game guards. developing nations through Institute and the Government with the potential to smother Botswana donated the debt-for-nature swaps. The of Indonesia from September sensitive coral reefs and elephants to reduce the United Nations Environment 11 to 13 in Denpasar, Bali, other important habitats. The country’s current elephant Program produced the Indonesia. This signals the potential for oil exploration population, numbering over report with assistance from intention of the Philippines to and drilling adjacent to the 100,000. Relocating animals the US Geological Survey join other East Asian marine park also poses to restock areas where they and the National Aeronau- countries in a campaign to additional major threats. traditionally occurred is a tics and Space Agency. intensify protection of the more humane solution than region’s forests through a August 22 – In less than lethal culling, an option that August 20 – Almost 60% rethinking of forest law 10 years, non-native Botswana considered. of the secret trails used by enforcement and governance zebra mussels from California’s wildlife to Photo courtesy of NOAA/NMFS throughout the region. Europe have pushed travel between healthy The East Asian Confer- native mussel species in habitat patches are ence became a venue for the United States to the threatened by develop- sharing and exploring the best brink of extinction and ment. The loss of these current thinking on forest law actually carpet some parts corridors threatens the very enforcement. Senior forestry of the Mississippi River bed existence of the state’s most officials discussed and debated with 10,000 to 20,000 charismatic animal species, on previously identified issues mussels per square yard. August 21 – The Steller including mountain lions, concerning forest law The mussels’ hard shells can sea lion, which is protected bobcats, Pacific fishers, ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 5
  5. ABOUT YOU AND US wolverines, badgers, salmon, populations in Ecuador and Nature (WWF) entitled • ASEAN State of the steelhead and mule deer. Colombia. “Patagonian Toothfish: Environment Report 2000 Hemmed in by human Are Conservation and • Fire, Smoke and Haze: development, the animals Trade Measures Work- The ASEAN Response are now reduced to ing?” The toothfish, which Strategy traveling through narrow is flaky, • ASEAN Environmental areas ranging from a few Education Action Plan feet to a few miles wide to These books were launched find mates, hunt prey, and by Mr. Rodolfo C. Severino, satisfy inborn migration Jr., the ASEAN Secretary- patterns. These corridors, General, and Mr. Nabiel referred to as “biodiversity August 16 – The Natural Makarim, Indonesia’s newly bargains,” should be Heritage Trust will fund a appointed State Minister of preserved by conservation national program called Environment. easements and measures. Flora for Fauna to encourage the growth of August 10 – Laboratory August 20 – A study native species in white and popular due to raised sea urchins have conducted by the Estacion Australia’s urban gar- the population decline of been released in the Biologica de Donana of dens. One potential other white-fleshed fish, has Florida Keys National Seville, Spain on the beneficiary of the new come under pressure Marine Sanctuary in an droppings of more than program is the endangered because of illegal, unre- attempt to restore the 14,000 of Europe’s Richmond Birdwing butterfly, ported and unregulated health of Atlantic coral largest bats (Nyctalus which has come under fishing. Japan and the reefs. The sea urchins are lasiopterus) shows that the increasing pressure due to United States are the two critical to coral reef species complements its habitat destruction. If back largest importers of renewal because they eat meals of insects with yard gardeners plant the toothfish, which is highly coral smothering algae. The birds migrating across Australian vine Aristolochia susceptible to over harvest- next stage of the endeavor the Mediterranean. The praevenosa on which the ing because it is large and would be to attempt to re- feather content studies in butterfly normally lay its grows slowly. seed the reef with labora- bat droppings peaked eggs, they will contribute to tory-cultured coral larvae. noticeably during the spring its survival. August 14 – The Philip- Coral reefs throughout the and fall bird migration pine Congress approved Caribbean and Florida have seasons. Since the bats August 16 – A project by the Genetically Engi- undergone major degrada- weigh only 50 grams and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife neered Food Right to tion over the past two have a wingspan of up to Service, Tennessee Wildlife Know Act, a bill that decades. Among the causes 60 centimeters, their avian Resources Agency (TWRA), requires the labeling of of decline is the loss in prey probably consists of the Tennessee Valley Genetically Modified 1983 of the once abundant only very tiny birds. Authority, and Conservation Organism (GMO)-derived grazing sea urchin, which Fisheries Inc. provided the food and food products. was wiped out by an August 17 – The discovery endangered boulder Violators risk up to 12 epidemic disease. This was of gold, silver, copper darter (Etheostoma years imprisonment plus a followed by increasing and zinc deposits in the wapiti) with 15 tons of US$2,000 fine. If the losses of live coral cover Piura state of Peru has natural limestone slabrock offender is an alien, he or due to coral bleaching, a fuelled fears of the in a bid to save the rare she can be immediately phenomenon caused when effects of mining activi- fish species from extinction. deported without need of increased seawater tem- ties on the local environ- The boulder darter is a any further proceedings. peratures turn corals stark ment. Mines would small member of the perch The bill is a result of white before dying. dislocate local communities, family that reaches a growing health concerns destroy the region’s maximum length of about about the effects of GMOs. August 10 – Environmen- agriculture and release large three inches. It lives and Last year, the environmental talists urged foreign donors amounts of dust into the spawns among boulders group Greenpeace said that to make protection of strong winds of the area. that occur in relatively 11 popular food products Kenya’s dwindling forests Developments will also shallow water, three feet in the country were tested a condition for lending, affect a number of rare and deep or less. The boulders positive for GMO contami- saying politically motivated endangered animals, such as must be in flowing water nation. Some farmers are destruction of tree cover tigrillos, jaguars, pumas, that does not flow too swift also unknowingly planting endangered the farm-based mountain lions, crested nor too slow. These genetically engineered economy. Forest protection ducks, pelicans and croco- conditions are ideal for the vegetable crops in the is not a specific condition diles. The area also maturation of eggs attached province of Benguet, which of donors such as the provides a sanctuary for the to the undersides of these grows almost 70 % of the International Monetary mountain tapir (Tapirus rocks and guarded by the vegetables in the Philip- Fund, the World Bank and pinchanque), which acts as a male. Water pollution and pines. the European Union, seed disperser in the Andes damming activities have although officials of all and is classified as fully caused the decline of the August 14 – The Associa- three bodies have ex- endangered with extinction boulder darter. tion of Southeast Asian pressed concern to the by the World Conservation Nations (ASEAN) launched Kenyan government about Union Species Survival August 16 – The three books outlining shrinking tree cover. Forests Commission Tapir Specialist Patagonian toothfish is in regional actions and cover below two percent of Group. There are estimated danger of becoming extinct strategies to promote the country but sustain to be fewer than 200 of the seven years after first being sustainable development farms employing much of species in Peru today and discovered in sub-Arctic and to protect the the population of 28 2,500 in the northern waters, according to a study environment at a ceremony million. Since much of the Andes, including fragmented by the World Wide Fund for in Jakarta. These are: land in Kenya is arid, 6 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  6. ABOUT YOU AND US forests act like giant Union report titled the butterflies are endangered. ment has already been sponges, soaking up “Biogeography and The tiny state of Sikkim, developed and has been moisture during the rainy Conservation of Marine which has a population of considered by ASEAN seasons, and then slowly Turtles of the Atlantic over 500,000 people, is Member Countries for releasing it to keep rivers Coast of Africa” calls for famous for some 600 adoption. flowing to towns, villages urgent international support varieties of butterflies and and crucial coffee-and tea- to save Africa’s sea turtles. 500 species of birds. August 2 – The United growing sectors. Three- The report points out that States Government, with quarters of the country’s West Africa provides nesting August 6 – Indonesia has assistance from The Nature forest have been chopped sites and breeding grounds banned the export and Conservancy, has signed a down by British colonists for a variety of sea domestic trade of ramin landmark debt for and Kenyan farmers in the (Gonystylus bancanus) due nature swap to reduce last 150 years, making to illegal logging of the tree by about one-half the what remains all the more species in several national debt which Belize owes precious. parks that provide habitat to the US. Belize is for the endangered orangu- located in Central America, August 8 – Environmental tan, Asia’s only great ape. and is bounded on the groups praised Brazil’s The ban resulted from a north by Mexico, south and decision to protect 5.9 campaign led by the west by Guatemala, and million acres of Amazon International Primate on the east by the Carib- rainforest. The land for Protection League, local bean Sea. In exchange for these protected areas guide associations and other the debt reduction, the became available through a Indonesian non-government government of Belize has government program to organizations, with support agreed to protect 23,000 crack down on land fraud from the Orangutan acres of forestland in in the Amazon, where some Foundation International Belize’s Maya Mountain landowners have amassed founded by anthropologist Marine Corridor, which ranches the size of small Professor Birute Galdikas, hosts one of the world’s European countries. The who has lived among richest assemblages of protected areas include the turtles, including Olive orangutans in Indonesian biodiversity. It is home to 705,000 acre Serra da Ridleys, Hawksbills, Green rainforests for the last 23 more than 220 tree species Cotia National Park in Turtles, Leatherbacks and years. and 350 bird species. Roraima state, as well as Loggerheads. Since sea Ramin is in demand for Wildlife that roams the four national forests in the turtle populations in the furniture, flooring, paneling, landscape includes the states of Amazonas, Para Western Atlantic and Pacific door and window frames, jaguar, ocelot, marguay, and Acre and two reserves Ocean have fallen dramati- and others. In April, the Baird’s tapir, Morelet’s also in Roraima. The same cally over the years, the Indonesian Minister of crocodile, scarlet macaw environmental groups discovery that West Africa is Forests enacted a domestic and the endangered West urged the international a globally important region ban and requested the Indian manatee. community and the for sea turtles should spur Secretariat of the Conven- The Debt-for-Nature government to help ensure international action for the tion on International Trade swap also stipulates the that protection goes area’s conservation. in Endangered Species provision of a $5.5 million beyond mere declarations. Threats to sea turtles (CITES) to list the species grant from the US for forest in the region include on Appendix III with a zero conservation. The Nature August 7 – Researchers excessive hunting for their quota, which came into Conservancy will also from the United States meat, eggs and shells, force today. provide $800,000 to the National Institute of Allergy marine pollution, entangle- US government to help and Infectious Diseases ment in fishing gear, and August 3 – The ASEAN finance the agreement. (NIAID) developed a habitat destruction. The Senior Officials on the vaccine from sand fly report also outlines some Environment (ASOEN) met August 2 – The Wildlife saliva, which when tested recommendations to in Bandar Seri Begawan Conservation Society (WCS) on mice proved effective sustain the species, such to review developments reports that more than 2.2 against Leishmaniasis. The as protection of various relating to environmental million wild terrestrial disease, transmitted by sand nesting and breeding sites cooperation in the ASEAN orchids are being flies, is a major health from pollution, mapping region, and discuss imple- stripmined each year in problem in many tropical and monitoring of mentation of cooperative the Southern Highlands and desert climates. seagrasses to ensure their activities based on the Hanoi region of Tanzania due to Different species of the health, a crackdown on Plan of Action and Strategic a growing demand for the single-celled parasite the turtle shell industry, Plan of Action on the plants as food. Up to 85 Leishmania can cause flesh- creation of transborder Environment. Areas of species are being rapidly eating nose, throat and marine parks as well as cooperation include depleted because part of mouth infections, painful increased funding for transboundary haze pollution, the terrestrial orchids is the skin lesions and fatal marine rangers. nature conservation and key ingredient in a type of infestations of the internal biodiversity, multilateral meatless sausage used in organs. An estimated 12 August 6 – Indian forest environmental agreements, chikanda or kinaka, a local million people, primarily in guards in the remote coastal and marine environ- delicacy. To help protect Central and South America, eastern Himalayan state of ment, and various other this region, WCS is pushing Africa and the Middle East, Sikkim arrested two Russian environmental activities. to turn a key area of the currently suffer from at least nationals and their four There has been considerable Southern Highlands, called one of these diseases. porters on charges of progress made in the the Kitulo Plateau, into a illegally collecting around formulation of the ASEAN national park. If established, August 7 – An IUCN - 2,000 butterflies, moths Agreement on Transboundary the park will be one of the The World Conservation and beetles; many of the Haze Pollution. The Agree- first protected areas in ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 7
  7. ABOUT YOU AND US tropical Africa to be the South Pacific Whale fish left behind takes on pollution and the impact inventoried primarily on the Sanctuary. Environmental- more influence in that declining natural merits of its flowers. ists accused Japan of breeding the next resources have on health offering development aid to generation. Aacording to and on their prospects for poor nations to reject the Steven Murawski of the growth. The new strategy proposal. Japan has been National Marine Fisheries aims to improve the quality lobbying the IWC to lift a who announced this of life and growth in Courtesy Warrant Officer Culver 1986 moratorium on whale research, some of the developing nations by hunting for trade. Despite smaller fish reach sexual supporting sustainable the ban, Japan continues to maturity earlier, producing environmental management hunt whales, using a offspring that are both and protecting natural loophole in the IWC small and programmed to resources such as forests moratorium allowing be mothers while still and water, and would be scientific whaling, as young. If a genetic change tailored to countries’ needs July 26 – US officials justification to take at least occurs, this may have a and capacities. uncovered 516 shells of 880 minke whales plus a drastic effect on fishery the endangered queen smaller number of endan- resources. Fish that July 18 – Scientists have conch after an inspection of gered sperm and Bryde’s reproduce earlier tend to found fresh evidence that a shrimping vessel from the whales each year. have less viable offspring, sulforaphane, the Honduras. The queen conch which in turn would chemical contained in is a marine mollusk whose July 23 – A Brazilian firm, continue to produce fewer vegetables such as populations have signifi- Coninbra, exporting and fewer fertile offspring. broccoli, brussels sprouts, cantly decreased due to soybeans free from kale, and cabbage, over-harvesting for meat. GMOs has been winning July 19 – Environmentalists boosts enzymes that There is great demand for higher premiums from won a temporary victory in provide protection from the shells, which are sold as countries where bio- their bid to protect a cancer, according to Dr. jewelry, curios, and orna- engineered foods have British Columbia forest Paul Talalay of the Johns ments in aquariums. These encountered resistance that is home to the Hopkins School of Medi- are currently protected by from increasingly health- endangered northern cine. Other foods with the Convention on Interna- conscious consumers. spotted owl. A Supreme chemical compounds that tional Trade in Endangered Brazil is the world’s No. 2 Court judge overturned inhibit cancer include green Species (CITES). Today, only producer of soybeans after several logging permits and chamomile tea, regulated fishing for conch the US and the only given to Cattermole Timber rosemary, mustard, and is permitted in certain agricultural exporter in the Ltd. and ordered the cutting turmeric. waters, and shells can only Americas that forbids the request to be reviewed be imported or exported sale of transgenic crops or again by British Columbia’s July 18 – The African with proper CITES and U.S. food. Brazil allows life Forest Service. Wildlife Foundation Fish and Wildlife Service science companies to launched the “four permits. conduct GM research on July 19 – The World Wide corners natural resource crops like soy and corn on Fund for Nature (WWF) management project.” July 25 – The European special farms in the country announced that melting This refers to the Caprivi Commission unveiled but has never allowed the polar ice is threatening Strip, the only place in the new rules on the sale of these foods due to the main food source world where four African labeling and traceability health and environmental for Antarctic blue whales countries - Zambia, of foods containing concerns. and could lead to their Botswana, Namibia and genetically modified extinction. The whales feed Zimbabwe - meet. They organisms (GMOs). These July 23 – The Cambo- on small sea creatures share the Zambezi River, require that all foods and dian government ap- known as krill, which in one of the longest rivers in animal feed derived from proved a legislation turn eat microscopic marine Africa. The river basin is GMOs be labeled and, in designed to curb illegal algae. The algae live in sea home to over 40 million the case of processed logging to protect the ice and are released in the people and is already goods, records have to be country’s forests. Illegal summer when the ice melts. facing competing demands kept throughout the logging was rampant Studies have shown that as for water, agriculture, power production process, throughout Cambodia the temperature has generation, industrial and allowing the GMOs to be during the 1990s, with increased in recent decades domestic use as well as traced back to the farm of high-level involvement of because of climate change, wildlife habitat and tourism. origin. The requirements the military and former sea ice had diminished All of these can easily kill also cover highly refined Khmer Rouge members. The rapidly and food supplies the river unless careful and products such as corn oil government began cracking for blue whales were considerate planning takes or soybean oil, where the down on illegal loggers in getting scarce. place. original GMO content is 1999 when foreign aid removed during the donors said they would link July 18 – The World July 16 – The Philip- production process. These future assistance to reforms Bank has adopted a new pines launched the will have to be labeled as in the forestry industry and environmental strategy to Samar Island derived from GMOs other sectors. Serious ensure that development Biodiversity Project, although not actually offenders could be jailed up in poor countries does which will be jointly containing them. to 10 years and fined as not come at the cost of financed by the UN much as 10 million riel pollution and degrada- Development Program July 23 – The 53rd ($2,500). tion of natural resources. (UNDP), Global Environ- meeting of the Interna- This shows that developing ment Facility (GEF) and tional Whaling Commis- July 20 – As bigger fish countries are becoming the Philippine government. sion (IWC) turned down are removed from the increasingly concerned The World Wide Fund for a proposal to establish population, the smaller about the effects of Nature (WWF) lists Samar 8 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  8. ABOUT YOU AND US as one of the top 200 dominance of human land will be protected from endangered spaces in the use on global land cover logging under a deal world. The island has patterns. Data sets could be between the govern- 360,000 hectares of used within global climate ment and the timber rainforest, and is home to models and global ecosys- company Congolaise 2,400 species of flowering tem models to gain insight Industrielle des Bois plants, including 406 into the influence of land (CIB). The area is densely native species. Some 197 cover change on climate populated by chimpanzees, species of birds on the and biological and forest elephants, red island have been sighted, geochemical cycles. colobus monkeys and 50 of which are native to gorillas, and contains vast the Philippines, including July 11 – Thai scientists are tracts of mahogany trees endangered species such developing a genetically and other valuable hard- as the Philippine Eagle, modified strain of papaya woods. CIB voluntarily the Philippine Hawk Eagle, in a bid to halt the spread withdrew its timber harvest- Photo courtesy of IUCN and the Philippine Cocka- of the ringspot virus, which ing rights after studies too. The project hopes to threatens to wipe out the showed the area was empower local communi- plant. If field trials are virtually untouched by ties, improve livelihoods successful, seeds of the new humans. Surveys conducted and promote participation strain will be distributed to by the Wildlife Conserva- by diverse stakeholders. To farmers across Thailand. tion Society and CIB facilitate these efforts the Scientists hope that opposi- indicated that wildlife • The Dorset and East project is carrying out tion and government showed little evidence of Devon Coast (United Kingdom) community consultations in restrictions on genetically previous human encounters, 35 municipalities, modified products would not leading scientists to believe Extensions to Existing World biodiversity monitoring, discourage the project, which the area never experienced social assessment and was supervised by human intrusion. Sur- Heritage Sites: operational planning. Greenpeace International rounded by swamp forests • Galapagos Marine and the National Biosafety and two rivers, the area’s Reserve (in Ecuador, an extension to Galapagos July 16 – Heavy metals Committee. geographic isolation has National Park) are the leading cause of kept humans out. • South Island (in Kenya, massive deaths of July 10 – The World flamingos in two Rift Wide Fund for Nature July 4 – The Bureau of extension to Siboli/ Valley Lakes of Kenya: (WWF) released “Wanted the World Heritage Central Island World Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria. Alive! Whales in the Committee accepted the Heritage site) • Kluchevskoy Nature Park Veterinary pathologists Wild,” which points out IUCN-World Conservation (in the Russian Federa- found that detectable levels that seven of the 13 great Union recommendation of lead, zinc, mercury, whale species remain for the inscription of tion, an extension to copper, and arsenic have endangered or vulnerable three new sites, three Kamchatka Volcanoes been found in the birds’ despite decades of protec- extensions and the World Heritage site) tissues, which may be the tion. Aside from commer- relisting of one site for Relisting of World Heritage result of the collapse of cial whaling, threats include its biodiversity values. The Sites under additional sewage works in many entanglement in fishing Bureau will recommend that urban centers and growth gear, toxic chemicals, the Committee inscribe these criteria: of industries whose effluent intensive oil and gas areas on the World Heritage • Kamchatka Volcanoes (in flow into the lakes. The rise development, habitat List in December 2001. the Russian Federation, renominated for of horticultural farms along degradation, and the effects biodiversity values) most of the Rift Valley lakes of climate change. Industrial The new World Heritage have also caused agro- chemicals and pesticide Sites are: chemicals to run off into runoffs accumulate in July 3 – A remote area of the lakes. whales’ blubber and are rainforest in northeastern passed by mothers to Peru appears to harbor more species of mam- July 11 – Researchers nursing calves. Measures to mals than anywhere from the University of protect the whales include Photo courtesy of IUCN else on Earth, according Wisconsin-Madison in the reducing collisions between United States and the Dutch whales and ships in to two separate studies. National Institute of Public Canada, and minimizing This region’s high diversity Health in Amsterdam gear entanglement of may be due to its vast, uninterrupted rainforest. The unveiled a historical global whales in problem areas rapid rise of mountains in land use inventory that around the world, including • Rift Valley Lake Reserves the Andes between three chronicles the massive Mexico, the Philippines, and (Kenya) impact that humans have New Zealand. WWF is also and eight million years ago had as they transformed the supporting carefully created ridges that isolated global landscape since the controlled whale watching, animals, allowing them to evolve into distinct species. 17th century. Historical which can be a lucrative Water running off the Photo courtesy of IUCN records such as agricultural alternative to whaling. The mountains produces richer land surveys, tax rolls and report is available at: http:/ census data, combined with /www.panda.org/ soils in the western satellite datasets were used Amazon, allowing higher for the inventory. The July 6 – A Congo populations of all species and fewer extinctions. database is intended to Republic rain forest, provide a comprehensive described as the most • Jungfrau-Aletsch- – Research & Compilation picture of the growing pristine forest left in Africa, Bietschhorn (Switzerland) by Sahlee Bugna ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 9
  9. ABOUT YOU AND US Editorial Forest Fires, A Burning Issue By JOHN R. MACKINNON measures that can be taken to pro- biological richness so that we find tect these better? The articles in very long species lists for Myanmar T he focus of this issue of this issue answer some of these and Thailand. ASEAN Biodiversity is FIRE. questions. However, the opening up of the The ASEAN Regional Fire is not new to our region. forests has also caused local Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Nor is fire always negative in its changes in climate and certainly (ARCBC) held a special workshop impacts. The biologist Chuck caused losses in the local flora and on this subject in Brunei in March Warton, while studying wild cattle fauna of the original evergreen this year, which was attended by ex- in Southeast Asia during the 1960s, communities. perts and representatives from al- wrote several papers on the What we are seeing today in most all our ASEAN country part- gradual opening up of the forests Borneo and Sumatra is different in ners. In recent years the problems of mainland Southeast Asia as a scale and speed of change, giv- of wild fires have become more result of hundreds of years of use ing nature less time to adapt to the prominent and the word ‘haze’ is of fire by human communities to huge changes in the landscape. increasingly referred to as a threat clear land. The long-term results Literally millions of hectares of for- to human health, aircraft safety and estlands have been cleared and of course biodiversity. burned and some large forest spe- The Association of Southeast cies are quite unable to cope. Asian Nations (ASEAN) takes the Moreover the species that are re- matter very seriously and has es- colonizing the area after fires are tablished a special Haze Technical often introduced exotics, such as Task Force to look into these mat- Acacia mangium and Acacia ters; it has also undertaken several auriculiformis. The combination of national and regional projects to forest clearance, fires, hunting and improve our understanding of the capture of young animals for pets fire phenomenon, fire detection, has decimated the orangutan analysis in relation to climate, as- populations on both Sumatra and sessment of damage and establish- Borneo. Rijksen & Meijaard (1999) ment of root causes. Are the exten- in their book ‘Our vanishing rela- sive forest fires that have swept tive’ conclude that 93% of the across Sumatra and Borneo the re- Bornean orangutan population sults of changing human behavior, and 86% of the Sumatran popu- changing climate, and illegal land lations have been wiped out dur- clearance? Are they inevitable, will were a changing of local condi- ing the last century. they continue? Can we prevent fires? tions from a largely closed forest Forest fires are indeed a major Can we halt fires earlier? system dominated by evergreen problem that must be given priority The ARCBC’s interest in fire is forests to a mosaic system of ev- in any nature conservation effort. As of a narrower scope. What can ergreen with deciduous and sa- can be gleaned from the papers the manager of a protected area vannah woodland systems with featured in this issue, there is a clear do on the ground to reduce the areas of grasslands and fallow. This and pressing need for protective damage of fires to the biota under change has been highly beneficial management measures, supported protection? Do the fires matter? to many significant wildlife, such by adequate funds. The ASEAN Do they really cause irreversible as wild cattle and the big carni- workshop on forest fires thus devel- losses of biodiversity or does vores that follow them – tigers, oped a set of guidelines and mecha- nature heal over the wounds and leopards, vultures etc. Elephants, nisms that included funding and in- recover? Can we recognize spe- rhinos, deer and wild pigs have stitutional support to minimize fire cial places or special species that also probably benefited. Indeed, risks and species extinction. Hope- are most at risk, and are there the diversification of the habitat has fully, enough funds could be raised particular protective management probably had a positive impact on while it is not too late. 10 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  10. SPECIAL REPORTS Photos courtesy of ASEAN Secretariat and National Interagency Fire Center, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho, USA ASEAN’s Response Strategy in Addressing Transboundary Haze Pollution By ADELINA KAMAL Over the past two decades, fires As a partnership for sharing and haze in the ASEAN region have experiences, information, respon- T he land and forest fires that been influenced by rapid demo- sibilities and benefits, and working hit the ASEAN region in 1997- graphic changes, increased human toward a common good, the 1998 have been so severe activity, and climatological factors. ASEAN is in a strong position to that the United Nations Environment The pernicious practice of burning address the problem at the re- Programme (UNEP) labeled them forests to clear land for commercial gional level. Since the early 1980s, as among the most damaging in purposes together with the extraor- ASEAN member countries (AMCs) recorded history. Their environ- dinarily dry weather has produced have launched several national mental, economic and social di- a pall of catastrophic proportions. and regional initiatives to control mensions and impact, and the as- Severe droughts have also com- the fire-and-haze problem. In the sociated transboundary haze pol- bined with developmental and ag- wake of the 1997-98 episode, the lution have been profound. The ricultural activities in the rain forests ASEAN Senior Officials on the En- total economic losses in terms of and indiscriminate use of fire for vironment-Haze Technical Task agriculture production, destruction land clearance. These and other Force (ASOEN-HTTF) formulated of forest lands, health, transporta- contributory factors have made the the Regional Haze Action Plan tion, tourism, and other economic ASEAN region prone to wildfires, (RHAP). Their adoption of this in- endeavors have been estimated at which will remain a serious threat strument in December 1997 was $9.3 billion. for some time. considered a turning point in the ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 11
  11. SPECIAL REPORTS region’s approach to preventing Box 1: Highlights of ASEAN’s Recent and Ongoing Initiatives on and mitigating the damages from Transboundary Haze Pollution recurrent fires and haze. The RHAP outlines an overall • Establishment of two Sub-Regional Fire-fighting Arrangements (SRFAs) for Borneo framework for guiding the process and Sumatra (April 1998); of strengthening the region’s capac- • Implementation of ASEAN-ADB project - Strengthening the Capacity of ASEAN to ity to address its transboundary haze Prevent and Mitigate Transboundary Atmospheric Pollution (1998 - 1999); pollution problem. Its primary ob- jectives are to: • Adoption of zero burning policy and strict enforcement of the policy (April 1999); • prevent land and forest fires • Launching of ASEAN Haze Action Online (www.haze-online.or.id), which includes a through better management public-access website on fire and transboundary haze and a restricted intranet- policies and enforcement, based system for monitoring RHAP implementation (April 1999); • establish operational mecha- nisms to monitor land and • Establishment of RHAP Co-ordination and Support Unit within the ASEAN Secretariat forest fires, and to provide coordination and support to the implementation of RHAP (April 1999); • strengthen regional land and • Implementation of Immediate Action Plans (IAPs) in Riau and West Kalimantan Prov- forest firefighting capability inces for addressing fires and haze problems in fire-prone areas, and development with other mitigation mea- of an operating procedure for activating forest fire-fighting resources in the ASEAN sures. region (Fire Suppression Mobilization Plans) (1999 - ongoing); The RHAP therefore has three major components: prevention, miti- • Convening of dialogue sessions with plantation companies as part of the effort to gation, and monitoring. Different promote the zero burning policy and raise awareness on zero burning techniques countries have been designated to among plantation companies (Jan 2000 - ongoing); spearhead the activities that fall un- • Establishment of the Sub-Regional Climate Review Group to closely monitor the der each component. Malaysia takes weather condition especially during the dry seasons (April 2000); the lead in prevention, Indonesia in • Establishment of the Sub-Regional Fire-fighting Arrangements Legal Group on Law mitigation, and Singapore in moni- toring fires and haze. Each ASEAN and Enforcement to discuss legal and law enforcement matters and the implemen- member country will also undertake tation of zero burning policy among all relevant parties (June 2000); the national-level actions that relate • A pilot activity in West Kalimantan Province to explore traditional values of Dayak to the three components. Implemen- and Melayu tribes in managing fires and haze in or surrounding their areas (March tation of RHAP at the sub-regional 2001); and regional levels catalyses and • Development of an ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (2001); complements the measures carried out at the national level. • Development of an ASEAN Fire Danger Rating System as part of the effort to Since the adoption of the RHAP , strengthen regional wildfire prevention, management and mitigation (ongoing); the Haze Technical Task Force un- • Development of a GIS Database for Sumatra, Borneo and Peninsula Malaysia to der the guidance of ASEAN Envi- strengthen the capacity of the AMCs to use spatial data layers for forest fire preven- ronment Ministers has undertaken tion, monitoring and suppression planning in the ASEAN region (ongoing); various initiatives, which are high- lighted in Box 1. Major ongoing • Video-conferencing for the ASEAN Secretariat and SRFA Member Countries to ASEAN activities include develop- provide facilities for discussions and meetings particularly during emergency situa- ment of Fire Suppression Mobili- tions and dry periods (ongoing); zation Plans (FSMPs) for all fire- • Capacity development programs for the RHAP-CSU in the forms of training programs prone areas, promotion of ‘zero- onvideo conferencing, website development/ information management, on-the-job burning’ policy adopted by ASEAN training, etc. (ongoing); through dialogue sessions and cor- porate awareness campaigns, • Strengthening of the RHAP’s monitoring network of national- and regional-level strengthening of monitoring net- institutions, which include the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), works including the ASEAN national meteorological agencies, and other related agencies in the region (ongo- Specialised Meteorological Cen- ing); tre based in Singapore, training • Development of prototype FSMPs in South Sumatra, South Kalimantan and East program to strengthen the law en- Kalimantan Provinces (2000 – June 2001); forcement capability of Asean More on page 13 Member Countries (AMCs), commu- 12 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  12. SPECIAL REPORTS Photo courtesy of ASEAN Secretariat Fire Suppression Moblization Plan-Field Training Exercise in West Kalimantan Province, July 2000 nity-based fire management activi- conferencing facilities to interact transboundary haze, ASEAN has de- ties, and public and community among themselves, particularly in veloped an ASEAN Agreement on awareness campaigns. A website emergency situations needing Transboundary Haze Pollution. This – ASEAN Haze Action Online immediate action. Agreement will address policy and (www.haze-online.or.id) – provides Recognizing the need to further technical measures with regard to a variety of regularly updated in- enhance regional cooperation on monitoring, assessment and preven- formation on the haze situation and ASEAN’s response in dealing with Box 1: Highlights of ASEAN’s Recent and Ongoing Initiatives on the issue. Transboundary Haze Pollution Realizing the need to focus on From page 12 fire management efforts in specific • A pilot Land and Forest Fire National Disaster Simulation Exercise to create a practice areas, the Haze Technical Task field for learning and strengthening existing institutional structures responsible for Force (HTTF) has established a coordination and response aspects of national land and forest fire disaster (June Working Group on Subregional 2001); Firefighting Arrangement (SRFA), each for Sumatra and Borneo. Sub- • Launching of a joint ASEAN-ADB publication entitled Fire, Smoke and Haze – the sequently, the HTTF established two ASEAN Response Strategy, which provides reviews on fire and haze episodes other working groups focusing on worldwide, its causes and impacts, the social and economic impacts of the 1997- legal and law enforcement (the 98 haze episode in the ASEAN region and the ASEAN Response Strategy, par- SRFA Legal Group on Law and En- ticularly the short, medium and long term strategies of the RHAP (Jakarta, August forcement), and climate and me- 2001); teorological conditions (the Sub- • A joint training program for prosecutors and investigators as part of the effort to regional Climate Review Meeting). strengthen the law enforcement capacity of the AMCs (2002); The RHAP Coordination and Sup- port Unit, a special unit within the • Development and conduct of a feasibility study for the establishment of a center to ASEAN Secretariat, was set up in manage environmental disasters with emphasis on land and forest fires and haze April 1999 to support the working (2002); groups in implementing RHAP • Convening of a World Conference and Exhibition on Land and Forest Fire Hazards activities. The ASEAN Secretariat to bring together international fire experts, senior government officials, researchers, and the SRFA members: Brunei plantation companies, and communities to deliberate issues and discuss strategies Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia with regard to land and forest fires. (Kuala Lumpur, 2002). and Singapore also use video ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 13
  13. SPECIAL REPORTS rangements through at the regional and national levels, provisions of technical support from all relevant stakehold- co-operation and pro- ers would help in speedily alleviat- cedures for joint emer- ing this pollution problem. gency response. The above summary only provides The RHAP has been a glimpse of transboundary haze- helpful in generating related activities in the region. various measures and actions to address the Adelina Kamal is the environment senior officer coordinating fire and haze under the trans-boundary haze Bureau of Functional Cooperation. pollution issues. Transboundary haze References pollution, however, is a ASEAN & ADB, 2001 Fire, Smoke, problem too large for and Haze: The ASEAN Response tion, technical co-operation and sci- one agency to manage alone. It Strategy (Jakarta and Manila) entific research, mechanisms for co- requires concrete actions ASEAN, 2001 Second ASEAN State ordination, lines of communication, collaboratively undertaken by of the Environment Report (with UNEP; Jakarta) simplified customs and immigration ASEAN itself, the national govern- procedures for immediate deploy- ments of AMCs, the international ment of people and goods across donor agencies, non-governmen- borders in the event of transboundary tal organizations (NGOs), private haze pollution. The Agreement com- sector, as well as local communi- mits AMCs to take specific actions to ties. It also requires a considerable prevent and monitor land and forest amount of resources, in terms of fires and the resulting haze on a time, financial and technical inputs. sustained basis. It also intensifies the While ASEAN has taken the lead by current regional and sub-regional ar- undertaking various core measures The ASEAN-ADB joint publication entitled Fire, Smoke and Haze – The ASEAN Response Strategy provides a comprehensive review of fire and haze episodes worldwide, their causes and impacts, the social and economic impacts of the 1997-98 haze episode in the ASEAN region, and the ASEAN Response Strategy, with regard to the short, medium and long-term strate- gies of the RHAP. For further information, you may refer to this publication and the ASEAN Haze Action Online website. For a copy of the publication, which is also avail- able in CD-ROM, contact the: Asean Haze Action Online www.haze-online.or.id has been established by the Regional Regional Haze Action Plan (RHAP) Haze Action Plan (RHAP) Co-ordination and Support Unit (CSU) of the ASEAN Co-ordination & Support Unit (CSU) Secretariat. The website provides general information on ASEAN response mecha- ASEAN Secretariat, nisms, primarily through the Regional Haze Action Plan, to the issue of haze and forest 70A, Jl. Sisingamangaraja fire incidences and their impact on the environment. Reports, workshops, relevant Jakarta 12110, Indonesia legislation and other efforts significant to combating fire and haze are included. Up-to- Tel. 62-21-7262991 date news complete with links to country and regional satellite images from organizations Fax 62-21-7230985 such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Forest Fire Email: haze@aseansec.org Prevention and Control Project and the Integrated Forest Fire Management Project are www.aseansec.org also available. www.haze-online.or.id 14 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  14. SPECIAL REPORTS Photo courtesy of Bert Borger, EU Forest Fire Prevention and Control Project, South Sumatra, Indonesia Impact of Forest Fires on Biodiversity in ASEAN By TERENCE P. DAWSON Indomalaya, Oceania and including lowland humid forests, Australasia spanning the ASEAN mangroves, savanna grasslands, T he tropical forests of Southeast region, and which are further sub- swamp forests, montane forests and Asia are one of the richest eco divided into several biogeographi- alpine meadows. These habitats systems for biodiversity glo- cal regions. In the context of the support a rich flora and fauna. bally (Meffe and Carroll, 1977). workshop objectives (see Box), the The habitual pressures to these This richness can be attributed to the term forest was defined to include a fragile ecosystems now count large three biogeographical realms: wide range and variety of habitats wildfire episodes, a relatively recent ASEAN Workshop on Forest Fires On the following pages, including this page, you will find on impacts of forest fire on national parks, con- some of the papers discussed during the workshop servation areas and on biodiversity for each of “Minimizing the Impact of Forest Fires in ASEAN” the ASEAN countries, and held from 22-23 March this year in Brunei Darussalam. • Develop a set of guidelines and mechanisms The workshop brought together more than 60 delegates (including funding and institutional develop- composed of National Biodiversity Reference Unit (NBRU) ment) for improving regional effort and pan- country coordinators and Forest Fire focal persons from ASEAN collaborations in minimizing fire Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, risks and species extinctions resulting from wild- Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, resource persons and fires. forest fire experts from the European Union and ASEAN- The proceedings will be published shortly and distrib- Member Countries as well as representatives from the uted to ASEAN government departments, regional and ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Working Group on Nature local institutions, the private sector, non-government Conservation and Biodiversity. The participants met the organizations (NGOs) and individuals responsible for main objectives of the workshop, which were to: nature conservation and the protection of national parks • Review recent information and scientific findings and habitats. ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 15
  15. SPECIAL REPORTS income of local and indigenous build up as standing dead trees and communities living in the vicinity of vegetation begin to fall or shed Many of the fires fires. Until recently, most ecologists branches. Decreased canopy cover arise as a result regarded mature tropical humid reduces the capacity of the forest to of perverse economic forests as immune to fire; the moist maintain humidity, and increases the policies that encourage air in the forest understorey had susceptibility of the forest to subse- rapid, rather insufficient drying strength to gener- quent fire events in the next drought than sustainable ate the fuel needed to carry a fire period with increased intensity, a (Uhl, 1998). However, investigations positive feedback effect (Cochrane exploitation of in the rainforests of the Amazon basin and Schulze, 1998). The effects of forest resources. revealed soil charcoal layers that climate change and global warm- corresponded roughly to ing are predicted to increase the phenomenon, as one of the great- discontinuities in populations of in- frequency of El Niño events and est threats alongside logging, min- digenous forest-dwellers, which was associated droughts in the ASEAN ing, shifting agriculture and other later hypothesized to be the result of region, thus inhibiting further the land-use developments resulting several substantial El Niño events potential for forests to regenerate from increased population pressures occurring roughly 400, 700, 1000 naturally. and economic demands. Following and 1500 years ago, causing Many of the fires arise as a result intense El Niño Southern Oscillation droughts severe enough to cause of perverse economic policies that (ENSO) episodes in 1982-1983 and widespread fire and lead to the encourage rapid, rather than sus- 1997-1998, many areas in South- dispersal of Indian populations tainable exploitation of forest re- east Asia experienced prolonged (Meggars, 1994). Since the Pleis- sources. Both international and droughts, resulting in large numbers of devastating wildfires and associ- ated hazardous haze. Satellite esti- mates of burned land in Southeast Asia by the Centre for Remote Im- aging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP) at the University of Singapore, suggested that between 8-10 million hectares were impacted and 19 designated protected areas were affected by fires in 1997 and 1998. Almost all the fires were deliber- ately started by human actions pri- Map courtesy of WCMC marily associated with land clear- ing, such as shifting cultivation, trans- migration and logging. Land clear- ance using fire is traditionally the least expensive and most effective way of tocene Age, persistent occurrences national economic and development clearing vegetation and for improv- of forest fires have characterized the policies like government-subsidized ing nutrient poor soils. In many parts ecology of Southeast Asia. These fire natural forest conversion to planta- of the world, fire is a natural and events can be directly related in time tions, have opened a system sus- indeed, essential process that regen- to periods of reduced precipitation ceptible to unprecedented abuse and erates forest species and recycles es- that the El Niño events produce. corruption, as well as provided sential nutrients, e.g. in boreal for- Moreover, Southeast Asia’s extended economic incentives for illegal forest ests. In contrast, fires cause severe periods of drought during the Ice conversion, which governments can- damage to tropical humid forest eco- Age have made vast areas of the not arrest, either due to lack of systems, destroying or significantly region vulnerable to fire. enforcement or concern. For ex- degrading habitats, reducing spe- Once a forest is burned, the ample, research by World Wide cies populations and causing extinc- reduced canopy cover and nutrients Fund-Indonesia and the Economic tion of endemic flora and fauna. In released from burned organic ma- and Environment Programme for addition, fires destroy food resources, terial result in a rapid growth of Southeast Asia has concluded that and affect the health and sources of understorey vegetation. Fuel loads up to 80% of the fires in Sumatra 16 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  16. SPECIAL REPORTS derstanding of fire ecology and management strategies for dealing with wildfire events; a governmental assurance to provide better educa- tional and awareness campaigns would be crucial. The guidelines developed from the workshop can serve as a charter for both institu- tional reform and for strengthening community integration, these being critical to making any new invest- ment effective. Much research needs to be done to fully characterize the ecological impacts of fire. The 1997 and 1998 and subsequent fires have probably caused the extinction of significant Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the infinite-cycle of managing wildfires numbers of species. Even for spe- cies that survive, El Niño fire epi- and Kalimantan were started by Rehabilitation would include meth- sodes may be contributing to the companies with palm oil plantations, odologies for restoring habitats and largest biological selection events in now regarded as the single largest natural areas. All of the above in- modern history. driving force behind forest conver- volves commitment by multiple au- sion using fire (Potter and Lee, 1999). thorities, institutions and communi- Terence P Dawson is a Senior Research . The conceptual framework of ties at the local, regional and na- Fellow and Leader of the Terrestrial Ecol- wildfire control therefore can be tional levels. ogy and Biodiversity Research Programme at the Environmental Change Institute, viewed schematically as an infinite The ASEAN institutions responsible University of Oxford United Kingdom cycle of four disaster management for biodiversity conservation are, in processes: prevention, control, im- general, under-funded and lack References pact minimization and rehabilitation adequately trained staff. This has Cochrane, M. and Schulze, M.D., 1998, Forest Fires in the Brazilian (Figure 1). Prevention can include been a major constraint to effective Amazon, Conservation Biology 12, activities relating to efforts in avoid- conservation. The additional burden 948-949. ing the occurrence of wildfires. placed upon those institutions in Meffe, G.K. and Carroll, C.R., Control relates to systems and tech- dealing with the threat and manage- 1997, Principles of Conservation nologies, encompassing early warn- ment of wildfires is difficult to resolve Biology, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA, USA. ing, fire suppression, and emergency without a national commitment to Meggars, B.J., 1994, Archeological and response. Impact minimiza- improving funding mechanisms and evidence for the impact of Mega Nino tion relates to ground and airborne incentives at the local level. Many events on Amazonia during the past fire combating and tracking systems. field officers lack even a basic un- two millennia, Climate Change, 28, 321-338. Potter, L. and Lee. J., 1999, Oil- Palm in Indonesia: Its Role in Forest Conversion and the Fires of 1997/98, WWF-Indonesia, Jakarta, pp 1-5. Uhl, C., 1998, Perspectives on Wildfire in the Humid Tropics, Conser- vation Biology 12, 942-943. To obtain copies of the proceedings, contact the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation PO Box 35015, College, Laguna, Philippines 4031 email: contact.us@arcbc.org.ph Tel Nos: +63 49 536 1659/4042 Fax: +63 49 536 2865/3173 Photo courtesy of Bert Borger, EU Forest Fire Prevention and Control Project, South Sumatra, Indonesia ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 17
  17. SPECIAL REPORTS Photo by John MacKinnon The Ecology of Forest Fires By TERENCE P. DAWSON, NATALIE BUTT and FLORENCE MILLER fore requiring suppression, are con- sequently common (Grégoire et al., I n many ecosystems, fire is part of Kalimantan alone (Whitmore, 1996). the natural regeneration process, 1998); in 1997/98, around 4.66 The greater numbers of fires in stimulating the germination of cer- million hectares of forest were im- tropical forests are not solely the result tain species, clearing space for the pacted across Southeast Asia (Rowell of natural factors and conditions. invasion and growth of others, and and Moore, 1999). Primary forests that have been rela- releasing a periodic flush of nutri- Southeast Asia is particularly tively undisturbed are fairly resistant ents into the soil. Yet tropical forests susceptible to wildfire. The World Fire to fire, and an active fire front in an were until recently considered inca- Web’s global fire maps show where intact closed canopy forest is unim- pable of burning. Their ground layers most of the world’s vegetation fires pressive. Except for tree-fall gaps were found in tests to be too moist occur: Southeast Asia has more fires and areas of unusual fuel structure, to sustain fire, and it was assumed than Australia, and is third only to fire will spread as a thin, slowly that this was always the case (Uhl, Africa and South America (Environ- creeping ribbon of flames a few tens 1998). However, the remains of mental News Network, 1999). of centimetres in height (Cochrane charcoal in tropical forest soils are Mainland Southeast Asia, which is and Schulze, 1998), or it will spread testimony to the fact that in the past, more strongly seasonal and less through the canopy (Kimmins, 1992). fires have had catastrophic effects in humid than many parts of insular Over much of the burned area, the tropical forests. Today, vegetation Southeast Asia, favors the use of fire fire will consume little besides leaves fires are affecting primary and sec- as a land management tool and and leaf litter. However, it only takes ondary tropical forests. In 1983, supports more fire-prone ecosystems. a bit of open canopy, such as that three million hectares of lowland Wildfires, those fires not meeting their caused by light clearance and/or rainforest were destroyed in management objectives and there- drought, to tip the balance from a 18 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
  18. SPECIAL REPORTS fire-resistant to a fire-ready forest. radation of vast expanses of tropi- And, while first-event fires in primary cal forest (Figure 1). No other dis- forests tend to result in relatively little It only takes a bit turbance in tropical forests has this damage, fires following clearance of open canopy, such as self-reinforcing character with the can be much more harmful. that caused by light potential to occur on such a grand In general, fire has followed clearance and/or scale (Uhl 1998). clearance in tropical forests. Logging drought, to tip the per se does not cause fires, but the Influence of El Niño on the balance from a indirect effects have been, and Forest Fire Regime continue to be, devastating. Under fire-resistant to a While forests that have undergone ‘natural’ conditions, a large propor- fire-ready forest. And, patchy clearance are susceptible to tion of the heat generated in a fire while first-event fires in fire, it is weather conditions that tend may be released high above the primary forests tend to to tip the balance. During long ground as the fire travels through result in relatively little periods of drought, forests dry out, the canopy – most combustible fuel damage, fires following particularly the dead wood and is in the standing (live and dead) material on forest floors produced trees. With a closed canopy, little light clearance can be much by clearance. Those wishing to clear reaches the ground layers of tropi- more harmful. the forest for agricultural purposes cal forest, and there is little vegeta- frequently take advantage of the dry tion to burn. Thus, the fire on the conditions to set fires. Unfortunately, ground is often much less severe and leading to problems associated with fires set towards the end of a dry consumes relatively little of the forest increased light, wind and dryness season, and particularly towards the floor other than leaf litter. In areas described above. Thus, in recurrent end of prolonged drought, have a of open canopy (normally created fires, flame length, depth, spread tendency to burn out of control, through clearance), however, all the rate, residence time and fireline quickly turning from managed fires fuel and the heat energy released intensity are all significantly higher. to wildfires. are on or near the ground. Much or Cochrane and Schulze (1998) pre- Prolonged droughts affect South- the entire forest floor may be con- dict that a second fire will kill 40% east Asia with relative frequency, sumed and heat damage to the of remaining stems. In other words, governed largely by the El Niño upper mineral horizons of the soil first fire events are capable of set- Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Niño may occur. ting a positive feedback system in is a reversal of the ocean-atmo- Fire danger is increased by clear- motion that could lead to the pro- sphere system in the tropical Pacific. ance for a number of reasons. First, gressive impoverishment and deg- It has important consequences for it produces quantities of dead, flam- mable material. Second, the open- ing up of the canopy allows light to reach the ground layer of the forest, encouraging understorey vegetation to grow. The grass, creeping vines and small shrubs that result all pose fire hazards. Finally, the gap cre- ated by clearance lets in wind, which reduces humidity, dries out dead materials, and encourages the spread of fire (Bowen et al., 2000). If the forest re-burns within a few years of the initial fire, the fires will be much worse. The first fire opens up the canopy such that favorable conditions are created for a second fire (Uhl, 1998). Dead material produced by the first fire poses a fire hazard until completely decom- posed, and the death of trees in the fire produces gaps in the canopy, Figure 1. Positive feedback system associated with forest fires ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 19
  19. SPECIAL REPORTS weather around the globe and, in more frequently, and that they are indeed, until the Borneo fires asso- particular, tends to cause drought in becoming progressively warmer’ ciated with the ENSO event of 1982- the West Pacific. (Rowell and Moore, 1999). Whether 83, it was thought that undisturbed In normal, non-El Niño condi- or not this change is directly linked rainforests simply could never dry out tions (Figure 2), the trade winds to global warming remains uncer- enough to burn. blow westwards across the tropical tain. However, the onset and decline Southeast Asia (especially Indo- Pacific. These winds pile up warm of the 1997/98 El Niño event was nesia and Malaysia) has some of surface water in the west Pacific, so predicted accurately by scientists from the largest areas of rainforests in the that the sea surface is about half a the Max Planck Institute in Germany, world, dominated by trees of a single meter higher at Indonesia than at and the model they used incorpo- family, the Dipterocarpaceae, which Ecuador. The sea surface is about rated greenhouse-gas concentra- includes many valuable timber spe- 8ºC higher in the west than the east tions. It seems likely that the rising cies that are a mainstay of the tropi- Pacific. Rainfall is found in the rising temperatures caused by climate cal timber trade (Whitmore, 1984). air over the warmest water, and the change could cause El Niño to Commercial logging is thus one of east Pacific is relatively dry. become more frequent and with the chief causes of deforestation in During El Niño (see right hand increasing intensity. Further, evidence the Southeast Asian tropics. panel of the schematic diagram), has shown that large-area forest fires Another distinctive feature of the trade winds relax in the central load clouds with large numbers of Southeast Asian rainforests is their and western Pacific. Warm water smoke particulates, which condenses large area of peat swamp – wet and air currents no longer flow the accumulated water vapour and forests in which organic matter has westwards with the same strength, suppresses rainfall, hence tropical accumulated for thousands of years and the warmest waters move fires exacerbates drought events without decomposing, resulting in eastward, away from Southeast (Leaitch et al.1992). thick peat soils which can reach 20 Asia and towards the central Pa- m in depth. These soils are usually cific. Rainfall follows the warm Fire Impacts on Biodiversity poor in nutrients and are extremely waters, with associated flooding in The forests of the wet tropics are difficult to convert to productive Peru and drought in Indonesia and one of the richest in biodiversity of agriculture, but, if properly man- Australia (Pacific Marine Environ- any ecosystem on earth (Meffe and aged, can often produce valuable mental Laboratory). Carroll 1977). Tropical rainforests Dipterocarp timbers (Whitmore El Niño events tend to occur every typically occur in areas in which even 1984). Recurrent fire events will re- two to seven years, and last for a the driest month of the year has at duce soil fertility, as the opening of period of twelve to eighteen months least 10 cm of precipitation; this is soil surfaces will damage the soil at a time. Analysis of data by the US the reason for their abundant, lush structure. In the next rainy season, National Oceanic and Atmospheric vegetation. The annual dry season, the soil particles and ash will be Administration (NOAA) from the 10 although noticeable, is neither dry leached by the rainfall into water- strongest El Niños of the past century enough nor long enough to cause courses and estuaries resulting in a has shown that ‘they are occurring the trees to drop their leaves. And decline in water quality. (Source: Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory) Figure 2. Schematic diagram of normal and El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean 20 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001
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