The Caucasus Ecoregion

The Caucasus Ecoregion is one of the most biologically rich and culturally diverse regions on Earth. Project countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and Turkey. PA4LP is assisting them in meeting CBD targets, and helping them to keep that biodiversity and cultural richness intact.

With the support of the Caucasus Biodiversity Council, governments have made substantial progress in meeting CBD protected areas (PAs) targets. Here are some highlights:

Governments, scientists and NGOs are now working closely together within National Coordination Committees in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey in implementing the CBD.Coordination between stakeholders has been greatly improved.

In the North Caucasus, a regional committee is the only mechanism to bring together environment experts across the regions of Russia.

Enhanced Protection - New PAs and Transboundary Cooperation.

There are now up to 1163 PA sites in the Caucasus region, covering 12.7 percent of its area (over one million ha protected since 2004).

A PA gap analysis of Turkey is nearing completion, and will identify areas in the country in need of PA protection.

In Azerbaijan alone, the area under protection has doubled since 2000.

In Armenia, 230 new Natural Monuments were approved by the Government in 2009.

Russia currently has more than 12,000 national, regional and local PAs that cover nearly 200 million hectares or 11.9 percent of the country's territory. In 2010, the PA system of the North Caucasus was extended by more than 38,000 ha.

Key transboundary priority conservation areas were identified and cooperation has been initiated between Armenia-Georgia and Georgia-Turkey.

Planning for the Future - First National Action Plans.

National Action Plans, which address sustainable financing, capacity building, legal and institutional gaps and barriers, have been developed with all relevant stakeholders, including local communities. National Action Plans are based on 17 assessments carried out across the five countries.

Human Capacity Enhanced.

Development of National Action Plans engaged many government officials and PAs managers, allowing them to be involved in the evaluation and planning processes for the first time.

A Georgia-Turkey exchange programme allowed a transfer of experience and management practices between protected area professionals.

Management Effectiveness Assessed and Tracked.

All countries in the Caucuses were assessed for PAs management effectiveness using RAPPAM methodology. About 80% of all PAs were assessed, exceeding the average rate for European countries.

The Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) was selected for use in all Turkey's PAs over a two year period. PA4LP organized a workshop in Antalya in December 2010 to train PA managers in the use of METT.

Data on Biodiversity Monitored.

Key data on biodiversity, PAs management and monitoring of CBD implementation at regional level was collected and made available by the Caucasus Biodiversity Monitoring Network.

Ensured Sustainable Financing for PAs.

The Caucasus Nature Fund was established as the first regional level sustainable financing mechanism. It provides long-term co-financing for protected areas in the Southern Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Next Steps for PA4LP in the Caucasus

Identification and protection of key ecosystem services (provision of water, carbon storage) especially those that will assist societies in adapting to climate change.

Promotion to government and private sector of the values and benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem services and natural capital accounting.

Development of mechanisms to ensure payment for ecosystem services (PES) based on economic valuation studies of protected areas.

Maintenance of multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms, such as national coordination committees and the regional Caucasus Biodiversity Council, to support CBD implementation, monitoring and exchange of experience across the region.