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Appendix 7: Activities
of the Eco-security Task Force
1. Preparation of Awareness
Booklet on Invasive Alien Species in China
A special booklet documenting
the threat of Invasive Alien Species in China has been prepared by task
force members and printed to promote awareness and attention to this
urgent problem. Copies of the booklet are available in Chinese for CCICED
members. Only a quick English translation is available for the interest
of international members.
2. Preparation of Booklet
Restoration of Natural Vegetation in China
A special booklet, in Chinese,
on restoration of natural vegetation has been prepared and published
as a follow up to work completed in 2001 by the Biodiversity Working
Group of CCICED. The booklet remains highly relevant to the work of
the new task force especially in relation to the re-greening efforts
under the Great Western Development programme. Copies are available
to Chinese members of CCICED.
3. Holding of 2-day Workshop
on Invasive Alien Species
A two day workshop was held
at Xiangshan Hotel, Beijing on 23 and 24 October, 2002. The meeting
was attended by more than 30 persons comprising members of the task
force and invited experts from departments of health, agriculture, fisheries,
oceanography, quarantine, SEPA and academic institutes.
The schedule of the meeting
is attached as Annex 1 to this report. A number of presentations were
made by international visitors and relevant departments. These gave
rise to considerable lively debate and discussion.
The participants broke up
into three Chinese and one international work groups to draft recommendations
to the Chinese Government. These recommendations were amalgamated by
the taskforce and are appended to this report as Annexe 2. A summary
of conclusions and recommendations is given above.
4. First Meeting of the
Eco-security Task Force
The members of the task
force met in Xiangshan Hotel on 25th October, 2002 following the conclusion
of the two day workshop on Invasive Alien Species.
The Chinese chair of the
taskforce welcomed the members and explained the background and history
of the first 2 phases of CCICED and the plans for Phase 3.
The members reviewed, revised
and prioritised the workplan of the taskforce. The proposed revision
is presented above (item 4).
The members discussed the
conclusions and recommendations of the Alien Invasive workshop, amalgamated
the various recommendations and prepared the summary conclusions and
recommendations presented above (item 1).
The members made plans for
the next meeting of the working group.
5. Work plans of the
Eco-security Task Force
- It is planned to hold
the next meeting of the task force in Yunnan during the third week
of January 2003. The focus of the meeting will be to examine IAS problems
in the field and examine biodiversity threats associated with the
Great Western Development Programme.
- Select around 100 serious
IAS, and study their origin, reason for introduction, and analysis
that if we could find any method to stop their invasion to China.
Based on these analysis, we may be able to find some suitable methods
to stop invasion.
- Develop a national strategy
for the setting up of adequate control mechanisms including training
needs for China to deal with the problem.
- Undertake studies on
risk assessment methodology, and draft an operational methodology
for various sectors. Establish a process for scoring risk category
of likelihood of becoming alien invasive pests. Study on impact of
IAS to ecosystem and conduct evaluation from aspect of ecosystem conservation.
- Review the current status
of regulations controls and general awareness of GMO threats. Prepare
and publish a "Primer on GMO's" to educate the public and
governmental officials.
- Prepare specific TOR
for testing efforts on local environment to be included in risk assessment
regulations.
- Evaluate and study on
legislation of controlling IAS.
- Expand the Alien Invasive
Species Database to include all non-native organisms known to be wild
in China. Study on national ecosystem evaluation to map out areas
thought to have the highest risks of invasion by GMOs or alien invasives.
- 10-Year Review and Perspective
of Biodiversity Conservation
- Best use the chance
of Green Olympics to improve public awareness on biodiversity.
6. Revision of the Ongoing
BWG/ETF Work Programmes
There are a couple of ongoing
projects started in late Phase II of BWG/CCICED which should be continued
and completed. The progress of those projects are hereby briefed as
follows:
- China's Red List
of Endangered Species
With the support from NORAD and CI, the project is now entering into
the final review process of the evaluation of the status of wild fauna
and flora. All the wild species of vertebrates and higher plants and
selected major groups of invertebrates have been evaluated by using
the new IUCN Criteria 2000. A Red List of Endangered Species of China
will be formulated by early 2003 for releasing which will be the basis
in terms of China's biodiversity conservation.
- Dujiangyan BSAP
A county level Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan for Dujiangyan
area, Sichuan Province, a new World Heritage site, is coming to the
final review which is planned to hold a Final Review Workshop in the
upcoming December.
- China Species Information
System (CSIS)
Further development and maintaining of the CSIS is undergoing which
can be accessed by the web-site: www.chinabiodiversity.com. Existing
information and data on vertebrates are presented, including taxonomic
information, distribution, habitats, status and threats, categories
of endangerness, conservation measures taken and to be taken, literatures,
together with pictures and maps. It can be of reference for conservation
actions and legislation, EIA, research priority setting, education
and public awareness. It is also functioning for species data and
information exchange and communication domestically and internationally.
- Biodiversity Web-site
A bilingual web-site of "Conserving China's Biodiversity"
in Chinese and English www.chinabiodiversity.com was developed during
the CCICED Phase II and is now still updating regularly. All the annual
reports of BWG together with technical reports resulted from activities
by BWG can be accessed on the web-site. In addition, the China Species
Information System is also available on the site.
- China Mammal Guide
Since the Field Guide to the Birds of China (English and Chinese versions)
published in 2000, BWG-ETF has started the compilation of the Field
Guide to the Mammals of China (English and Chinese) especially for
those conservation staff based in reserves and national parks, as
well as for public education.
7. Pulbications
- Invasive Alien Species
in China, 2002,
China Forestry Press, Beijing (Chinese), 230 pages.
- Restoration of Natural
Vegetation, 2002, China Forestry Press, Beijing (Chinese), 58
pages.
- World Conservation
Information,
A Chinese Newsletter. Nos. 15/16; 17/18 (Chinese)
- China Human Development
Report, 2002. UNDP. (Chinese and English; for "Biodiversity")
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