Integrating conservation and ecologically sustainable development of wetlands is a major challenge, especially in developing countries. While many developing countries harbour significant biodiversity and socio-cultural resources, they have substantial development pressures. We explore the similarities in issues around wetland conservation and sustainability in three developing countries using case studies of internationally significant wetlands in Tanzania, Colombia and Papua New Guinea. We examine key aspects of their socio-ecological values, stakeholder and governance issues, conservation and management issues, and management responses. Key challenges across these regions include inadequate knowledge and data, population and development impacts, poor regulatory and planning processes, socio-economic inequities and conflict. All three areas lack adequate inventory, survey and monitoring, and there are significant risks to some wetland values. Mechanisms such as the Ramsar Convention provide a framework to assist in addressing global wetland loss, but implementation at these sites needs to be supported by effective, integrative approaches involving natural resource regulation, conservation and the development needs of local communities. Increased commitment and resourcing, along with comprehensive stakeholder engagement, are needed to develop and implement locally tailored plans to effectively manage these sites and their values, while also addressing the range of stakeholder needs and perspectives.
This article presents findings from a study conducted in Kasulu District in western Tanzania, to assess the impacts, vulnerability and adaptive capacity to climate change and variability of natural and social systems in various agroecological zones of Tanzania. Focus-group discussion, households and key informants interviews were used in data collection, also including physical observations and reviews of literature. Findings indicated that there is high dependence on agricultural production, and hence on natural resources, which makes the livelihoods of these communities potentially vulnerable to negative impacts of climate change associated with decreased agricultural productivity, food insecurity and constrained water availability. Uneven seasonal distribution of rainfall and increased temperature are major concerns for the area. Meteorological records confirm that there has been steady increase in mean maximum temperature, which affects the natural systems, influencing the phenological processes in vegetation and increasing evapo-transpiration rates, and increasing risks of crop pests and disease outbreaks. Among the local adaptation options have been the shift to more drought-tolerant and disease-resistant crop varieties and occasional migration to areas with better agricultural potential. While most societies are fundamentally adaptive and have adapted to similar climatic risks, the existing adaptation mechanisms seem to be inadequate. To facilitate local adaptations, there is a need for more information to quantify the magnitude of climate-change impacts and separate them from non-climatic factors with compounding effects. The latter is particularly important for addressing key livelihood components that seem to be most affected by climate change.
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