C. Entre el diseño y las realidades: focos de sostén y oportunidad en la perspectiva
2. Las modalidades alternativas y planes remediales
Objective 1 is about research and monitoring, providing and compiling a continuous set of data that allow the sustainability of development to be measured, particularly in terms of the impact of development on biodiversity. The table below summarises the extent to which different Government departments report having been able to accomplish the activities set forth under this objective.
Table 45: Summary of Status of Reported-on Activities under Strategic Objective 1
Activity Sources of
verification
Status: Comment
Develop a detailed national vegetation map based on most effective technologies, including satellite information and make it easily available through the biodiversity CHM (Ref.9.3.1 – CHM)
Vegetation map Ongoing
[No comments received]
With the vegetation map as a base, establish national criteria and guidelines for ecosystems classification and delineation through consultation and peer reviewed process
Ecosystems criteria No action Awaiting completion of vegetation map.
Classify and map ecosystems at district level according to established national classification criteria and standards.
District ecosystems map
Not yet Each area of operation – district coordinators do have extensive knowledge of info available Produce a national ecosystems map based on the district maps and make the map
easily accessible through the biodiversity CHM (Ref 9.3 1– CHM)
National ecosystems map
To be verified
[No comments received]
Include birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and rare and endangered animal species in wildlife counts to monitor species levels and thus provide an indication of trends of biodiversity levels
Published inventories Ongoing, reptiles and amphibians not yet
[No comments received]
Clarify and establish government institutional responsibilities and focal organisations (wildlife, flora, birds, fish, insects, fungi etc.) for collection and maintenance of national biodiversity data (Ref Obj 9 – Access to data), and establish mechanisms to facilitate and encourage deposit of biodiversity data collected by other data collectors and researchers at these focal organisations (Ref 9.4.2).
Organogram; Named institutions; TORs
Ongoing Departments have been assigned to deal with specific focal areas and most of these are already reflected in their mandates and Acts.
The EIS is a mechanism that has been established to also assist in the depositing of biodiversity data
Set up national survey programmes for under-surveyed biodiversity groups, with priority given to the rare and endangered species, and implement programme (Ref 1.2.1 – target taxa)
Checklists and distribution maps
No Action The DEA has not initiated any programmes in this regard but the DWNP has been carrying out surveys on wildlife species; and the DFRR has just started a national programme aimed at
inventorying forest species. Identify and prioritise target taxa and areas according to established criteria for
vertebrates and plants.
Priority list for various groups of biodiversity
verification
Establish biodiversity priority research topics, including under-represented taxa, species with genetic centres in Botswana, understanding of ecological processes and ecosystems management including carrying capacities, to guide allocation of funds.
No Action [No comments received]
Move towards setting of indicators for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning taking cognisance of regional and international standards. , and establish carrying capacity levels for livestock and larger wildlife.
List of standards Carrying capacities
No Action A set of Biodiversity indicators have been developed but they need to be expanded to cater for other aspects.
Carrying capacities have not been established. Design compatible national and district level monitoring systems of biodiversity and
ecosystem function, and assign responsibility for monitoring, including user based monitoring where relevant
Monitoring programme
No Action Through the ODMP, such monitoring systems are in place but being undertaken by the ORI.
Develop training packages for monitoring by communities and other biodiversity users
Training package No Action [No comments received]
Analyse monitoring data at spatial and temporal scales, establish trends, and use to establish national conservation priorities.
Progress reports No Action [No comments received]
Disseminate status and trends to planners, managers and decision makers through progress reports and link with the State Of the Environment reporting
Distribution lists Ongoing Planners are continuously engaged on the status with the view of integrating biodiversity into planning processes.
Evaluate the impact of demographic change on future biodiversity management, preservation of traditional methods, varieties and indigenous knowledge.
Research report No Action [No comments received]
13.1.2 Barriers to implementing Objective 1
It is clear from the table above that achievements under this objective have been low. This fact is borne out by the lack of new data available for both biodiversity and economic assessments since the preparation of the 2007 NBSAP. The reasons are not obvious; one suggestion is that with the strong economic down-turn starting in 2008, activities not directly related to implementation of departmental mandates were put on a back- burner, and then forgotten about. However, the NBSAP is clear: without data, there can be no tangible measuring of the degree of success in meeting the objectives of the CBD.
However, from the focus group consultation meetings which reiterated concerns about resource availability, it is also clear that the following are also challenges:
Not all departmental mandates overlap with the thematic areas of the CBD Human capacity, both in terms of available manpower, and necessary skills is low
The coordinating role of DEA is hampered by its status as just another department in a line ministry Fears over sharing data (data as responsibility / status)
With high staff turnover and relocation, there is limited institutional memory, and variation in individual priorities Science tends to be pushed aside by politics