Xinjiang Altai Landscape project

Core teamMarc Foggin

Yu ChangqingCao Dinggui

Global significance

• Altai-Sayan Ecoregion– Consideration for World Heritage Site status– Other countries: Kazakstan, Russia, Mongolia

• In China’s Altai region…– Includes two WWF 200 Priority Ecoregions– Many lakes, rivers, peatlands, etc.– Several species of interest, e.g. beaver, wolverine

Unique characteristics

• Amongst all the sub-projects of MSL Program, the Xinjiang project will highlight inter alia the following two elements:– Trialing, development and modeling of

community co-management as novel management approach for PAs

– Transfrontier elements (cooperation on issues of mutual interest, e.g. control of trade, poaching)

Project objective (PIF stage)

• To strengthen the management effectiveness of protected areas to respond to existing and emerging threats to the globally significant biodiversity and essential ecosystem services in the Altai Mountains and Wetland Landscape in Xinjiang UAR

Project components (3)

• Component 1. Systemic and institutional capacity for planning and managing the regional (provincial) PA system, particularly sub-system of wetland PAs in Xinjiang UAR

• Component 2. Altai Mountains and Wetland Landscape (AMWL) PA Cluster ensures effective biodiversity

• Component 3. Demonstration of effective wetland PA management, through community co-management

Diagram (sketch map) – 3 levels

• Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)• Altai Prefecture – Landscape approach• Liangheyuan nature reserve, as basis (focus) for

development of co-management approach

Landscape

Site / PAProvince/region

Integration of many project goals will occur at the landscape and PA site levels

Including• Landscape level analysis: Are there key gaps? • Current management approaches, needs, etc.• Role of co-management, local community

participation, local ownership of goals, etc.• Integration with other sectors, government• Accessing new financing mechanisms

Now, introducing Dr Yu Changqing – who is more directly familiar with the project location, and the partners; has worked in the region for many years (with a focus on one of the Altai protected areas)

First field trip, 18 June – 3 July 2012Second field trip, 4 – 14 Sept 2012 (tentative)