High Andean Flamingos Memorandum of Understanding

Last updated
Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of High Andean Flamingos and their Habitats
Two andeanflamingo june2003 arp.jpg
Context nature conservation
Effective4 December 2008
Signatories
LanguagesSpanish

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Conservation of High Andean Flamingos and their Habitats is a multilateral environmental memorandum of understanding that was concluded under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention. The MoU came into effect on 4 December 2008 and provides protection for the populations of high Andean flamingos, which have been subject to drastic reduction and fragmentation of their habitats and have a delicate state of conservation. The MoU covers four range states (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru). As of August 2012, three range states have signed the MoU.

Contents

Development of MoU

Flamingos foraging in an altiplano lake in Southwest Bolivia Andean flamingo.jpg
Flamingos foraging in an altiplano lake in Southwest Bolivia

To implement the decision of the Fifth Conference of the Parties of CMS to list the high Andean flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus and P. jamesi) on Appendix I of the Convention due to its poor state of conservation caused by a drastic reduction and fragmentation of their habitats, an Article IV agreement was concluded and entered into effect on 4 December 2008, following the signature by the third range state. [1]

Signatories to the High Andean Flamingos MoU:

In addition, the CMS Secretariat also signed the MoU.

Aim of MoU

Taking into consideration that the major threats that cause the population of the high Andean flamingo are amongst others the fragility of the high Andean wetlands and the impact caused by human activities such as fresh water contamination caused by the mining industry, the overexploitation of ground water, water treatment projects, the modification of natural river courses for agricultural purposes, unregulated tourism, extraction of eggs and destruction of colonies as well as inadequate management of grazing on the flood plains of the high Andean steppes, the MoU aims to improve the conservation status of the species and their habitats through coordinated and concerted actions across the range states.

Species covered by MoU

The MoU protects two species of Andean flamingos, Phoenicopterus andinus and Phoenicopterus jamesi, both listed on Appendix I of the CMS Convention.

Fundamental components

Map of signatories to the High Andean Flamingos MoU, as of 15 August 2012 Map of Signatories to the High Andean Flamingos Memorandum of Understanding.jpg
Map of signatories to the High Andean Flamingos MoU, as of 15 August 2012

All signatories agree to undertake steps to conserve the high Andean flamingo throughout their range. To this end they will: [2]

  1. Provide effective protection for the population of the high Andean flamingos, and for the habitats upon which they depend to complete their entire lifecycle
  2. Develop an action plan to protect the species and their habitats, which will guide the conservation actions of the signatories and, which should include measures to promote co-ordination of these actions, international cooperation, improving the knowledge of the species, management, research, awareness and the exchange of information among the signatories
  3. Assess the implementation of the MoU and action plan at regular meetings of representatives of each of the signatories, and persons or organizations technically qualified in the conservation of these species
  4. Provide the secretariat with a regular report on their implementation of the MoU and action plan

The MoU took effect immediately after the third signatory (4 December 2008) and will remain in effect indefinitely subject to the right of any signatory to terminate its participation by providing one year's written notice to all other signatories.

Meetings

The secretariat shall convene regular meetings of signatories to review the population status of the high Andean flamingos and assess the implementation of the MoU.

Secretariat

The CMS Secretariat – located in Bonn, Germany – acts as the secretariat to the MoU. The main tasks of the secretariat are organizing the meeting of signatories and providing overview reports of progress made to implement the MoU and its action plan, compiled on the basis of all information available. Furthermore, the secretariat also acts as the depositary.

Action plan

An action plan provides a road map to guide the implementation of conservation actions for the high Andean flamingo in the range states and will be prepared by the signatories, supported by the CMS Secretariat. It will include measures to promote co-ordination of conservation actions, international cooperation, improving the knowledge on the species, management, research, awareness and the exchange of information among the signatories.

Activities and successes

In 2011, CMS and Centro de Estudios en Biología Teórica y Aplicada (BIOTA – Center for Studies in Theoretical and Applied Biology) in Bolivia agreed to cooperate on a large project to monitor the two species of high Andean flamingos (Phonicopterus andinus and Phonicopterus jamesi) within the framework of the MoU and with funding through the CMS Small Grants Programme (SGP). [3] The objective was to monitor population and their breeding colonies in order to know the current conservation status of these populations and establish the trends of the breeding colonies. Furthermore, the data obtained will be the basis for developing a programme to monitor and protect the species in the future. Monitoring activities started in August 2011 to study reproduction and active nesting sites, count the flamingo's breeding colonies in priority sites, and identify the principal threats to their conservation, and ended on 31 May 2012.

The monitoring data obtained suggest breeding success of the high Andean flamingos in Bolivia and Argentina in 2011–2012. Some of the results of the monitoring programme were the following: [4]

Related Research Articles

Andean flamingo Species of bird

The Andean flamingo is a species of flamingo native to the Andes mountains of South America. Until 2014, it was classified in genus Phoenicopterus. It is closely related to James's flamingo, and the two make up the genus Phoenicoparrus. The Chilean flamingo, Andean flamingo, and James' flamingo are all sympatric, and all live in colonies.

Jamess flamingo Species of bird

James's flamingo, also known as the puna flamingo, is a species of flamingo that populates the high altitudes of Andean plateaus of Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and northwest Argentina.

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, also known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention, is an international agreement that aims to conserve migratory species throughout their ranges. The Agreement was signed under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and is concerned with conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.

South Andean deer Species of deer

The south Andean deer, also known as the southern guemal, Chilean huemul or güemul, is an endangered species of deer native to the mountains of Argentina and Chile. It is one of two mid-sized deer in the Hippocamelus genus and ranges across the high mountainsides and cold valleys of the Andes. The distribution and habitat, behaviour, and diet of the deer have all been the subject of study. The viability of the small remaining population is an outstanding concern to researchers.

Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and Their Habitats

The Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and Their Habitats, also known as the Gorilla Agreement, is a multilateral environmental agreement that binds the parties to conserve gorillas in their territories. It was concluded 2007 under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the "Bonn Convention", with scientific support from the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences and GRASP. The Gorilla Agreement covers 10 range states and entered into force in June 2008.

Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for Marine Turtles of the Atlantic Coast of Africa

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning Conservation Measures for Marine Turtles of the Atlantic Coast of Africa is a 1998 multilateral environmental memorandum of understanding that entered into effect on 1 July 1999 under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention. The MoU focuses on the protection of six marine turtle species that are estimated to have rapidly declined in numbers along the Atlantic Coast of Africa. The MoU covers 26 range States. As of May 2013, 23 range States have signed the MoU.

Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve Reserve in Potosí, Bolivia

The Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve is located in Sur Lípez Province. Situated in the far southwestern region of Bolivia, it is the country's most visited protected area. It is considered the most important protected area in terms of tourist influx in the Potosí Department.

Laguna Hedionda (Nor Lípez)

Laguna Hedionda is a saline lake in the Nor Lípez Province, Potosí Department in Bolivia. It is notable for various migratory species of pink and white flamingos.

Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks

The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks is an international instrument for the conservation of migratory species of sharks. It was founded under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

Saiga Antelope Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Concerning Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use of the Saiga Antelope is a Multilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding and came into effect on 24 September 2006 under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention. The MoU covers five range States, all of which have signed. A number of cooperating organizations have also signed the MoU.

Bukhara Deer Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning Conservation and Restoration of the Bukhara Deer is a Multilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding and was concluded in 2002 under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, in collaboration with the Central Asia Programme of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The MoU covers five range States. As of August 2012, four of them have signed the MoU, as well as a number of cooperating organizations. The MoU came into effect on 16 May 2002.

Pacific Islands Cetaceans Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in the Pacific Island Region is a Multilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding concluded under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, and in collaboration with the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). The MoU provides an international framework for coordinated conservation efforts to improve the conservation status of the Pacific Islands Cetaceans and came into effect on 15 September 2006.

Siberian Crane Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Concerning Conservation Measures for the Siberian Crane is a Multilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding and came into effect on 1 July 1993 and was amended in January 1999. It was the first MoU to be concluded under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, and focuses on conserving the Siberian crane as one of the three rarest crane species. The MoU covers twelve range states. As of August 2012, eleven range states have signed the MoU.

West African Elephant Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning Conservation Measures for the West African Populations of the African Elephant is a Multilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding and was launched under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, on 22 November 2005, in close cooperation with the African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC). The MoU covers thirteen range States, all of which have signed the MoU.

West African Aquatic Mammals Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia is a Multilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding and entered into effect on 3 October 2008 under the auspices of the Bonn Convention. The MoU covers 29 range States. As of August 2012, 17 range States have signed the MoU, as well as a number of cooperating organizations.

Great Bustard Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Conservation and Management of Middle-European Populations of the Great Bustard is a multilateral environmental memorandum of understanding and was concluded in 2000 under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, and came into effect on 1 June 2001. It aims to protect the Middle-European populations of the great bustard and to manage modern agriculture throughout its range in Central Europe in order to save the remaining individuals. The MoU covers 17 range states. As of August 2012, 13 range states have signed the MoU as well as a number of cooperating organizations.

Aquatic Warbler Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning Conservation Measures for the Aquatic Warbler is a multilateral environmental memorandum of understanding concluded in 2003 under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention. This MoU provides the basis for governments, NGO's and scientists to work together to save the aquatic warbler, Europe's rarest songbird. The MoU covers 22 range states. By August 2012, 16 range states and two cooperating organizations had signed the MoU.

Southern South American Migratory Grassland Bird Species Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Conservation of Southern South American Migratory Grassland Bird Species and Their Habitats is a Multilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding concluded under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention and became effective on 26 August 2007. Under the “umbrella” of the CMS, the governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay agreed to work together towards better conservation of migratory species of grassland birds of Southern South America. The MoU covers five range States, all of which have signed.

Mediterranean Monk Seal Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for the Eastern Atlantic Populations of the Mediterranean Monk Seal is a multilateral environmental memorandum of understanding (MoU) and entered into effect on 18 October 2007, under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention. It focuses on the protection of the eastern Atlantic populations of the Mediterranean monk seal. The MoU covers four range states, all of which have signed.

Ruddy-headed Goose Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning Conservation Measures for the Ruddy-headed Goose is a Bilateral Environmental Memorandum of Understanding between Argentina and Chile and was concluded under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention. The MoU was concluded as part of the Special Protocol on the Conservation of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed by Argentina and Chile in 2002, and entered into effect on 21 November 2006. It focuses on the protection of the mainland population of the ruddy-headed goose. The MoU is exclusively South American and covers two range States, both of which have signed.

References

  1. ↑ "Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) - BirdLife species factsheet".
  2. ↑ Text of High Andean Flamingos Memorandum of Understanding: http://www.cms.int/species/flamingos/MoU_Andean_Flamingos_english.pdf
  3. ↑ http://www.cms.int/news/PRESS/nwPR2012/04_apr/nw_250412_flamingos_e.htm  ; http://www.cms.int/publications/Bulletin/2012_05_06_e.pdf .
  4. ↑ http://www.cms.int/news/PRESS/nwPR2012/04_apr/nw_250412_flamingos_e.htm  ; http://www.cms.int/publications/Bulletin/2012_05_06_e.pdf .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.