THE STATE OF ERITREA MINISTRY OF LAND, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT th 5 THE NATIONAL REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNCBD Asmara August, 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS AKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................ iv ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................................. v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... vi 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Description of the Country: .............................................................................................. 2 PART I: AN UPDATE BIODIVERSITY STATUS, TREND AND THREATS AND IMPLICATION FOR HUMAN WELL BEING ............................................................................ 4 2.1 Overview of Eritrea‟s Biodiversity Resources ............................................................... 4 2.2 Biodiversity Status, Trends and Threat under different Biome/Ecosystems .................. 6 2.2.1 Terrestrial Biodiversity .................................................................................................. 6 2.2.1.1 Forest Ecosystem ........................................................................................................ 6 2.2.1.2 Woodland Ecosystem................................................................................................ 10 2.2.1.3 Bush Land/Grassland Ecosystem .............................................................................. 11 2.2.1.4 Barren Land/Semi desert Ecosystem ........................................................................ 12 2.2.2 Coastal, Marine and Island Biodiversity ...................................................................... 13 2.2.2.1 Flora Ecosystem ........................................................................................................ 14 2.2.2.2 Fauna Ecosystem ...................................................................................................... 27 2.2.3 Agricultural Biodiversity ............................................................................................. 39 2.2.3.1 Diversity of Individual Crop Species ........................................................................ 40 2.2.3.2 Oil Crops: Diversity Status and Trend: ..................................................................... 43 2.2.3.3 Horticultural Crops: Diversity Status and Trend ...................................................... 44 2.2.3.4 Trees and Shrubs Important for Agriculture ............................................................. 44 2.2.3.5 Livestock Diversity ................................................................................................... 46 2.2.3.6 Agricultural Biodiversity Threats and its Underlying Causes .................................. 48 PART II: The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, its Implementation and the Mainstreaming of Biodiversity ..................................................................................................... 50 3.1 The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) ................................. 50 3.2 Updating the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) .................... 50 3.3 Actions Taken to Implement the NBSAP and Related Outcomes .................................. 51 3.3.1 Institutional Reforms and Arrangements ..................................................................... 51 3.3.2 Designation of Protected Areas ................................................................................... 51 3.3.3 National Tree Planting Campaign ................................................................................ 52 3.3.4 Energy Efficient Cooking Stoves (Adhanet Mogogo) .................................................... 52 3.3.5 Alternative Sources of Energy ..................................................................................... 54 3.3.6 Waste Management ...................................................................................................... 54 3.4 Obstacles to Implementation of the NBSAP .................................................................. 54 3.5 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Relevant Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral ........................ 55 Strategies, Plans and Programmes ........................................................................................ 55 3.5.1 Mainstreaming of Biodiversity in National Strategies and Plans ................................... 55 3.5.2 Mainstreaming of Biodiversity in Sectors Strategies and Plans ..................................... 55 3.5.3 Mainstreaming of Biodiversity in Various Cross-Cutting Sectors ................................. 62 PART III: Progress towards the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets and contributions to the Millennium Development Goals ................................................................................................... 73 ii LESSONS LEARNED.............................................................................................................. 81 References: .................................................................................................................................... 82 Annex I: Information concerning the reporting party and preparation of the fifth .................. 87 National report .......................................................................................................................... 87 Annex II: List of National Technical Committee Members .................................................... 89 Annex III: List of Tables for Terrestrial Biodiversity ............................................................. 90 Annex IV: List of Tables for Coastal, Marine and Island Biodiversity ....................................... 97 Annex V: List of Tables for Agro-biodiversity ......................................................................... 103 iii AKNOWLEDGEMENT iv ACRONYMS BIHI: Buri-Irrori; Hawakil Islands CBD: Convention of Biological Diversity CCA: Climate Change Adaptation CCD: Convention to Combat Desertification CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora COP: Conference of Parties DOE: Department of Environment ECMIB: Eritrea‟s Coastal, Marine and Island Biodiversity EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment FAO: Food and Agricultural Organization of UN FWA: Forestry and Wildlife Authority GEF: Global Environmental Facility GIS: Geographical Information System GBH: Girth at Birth Height IBA: Important Bird Areas ICAM: Integrated Coastal Area Management IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources PPAs: Proposed Protected Areas PSD: Planning and Statistics Division MARPOL: The International Convention for the Protection of Pollution from Ships MCS: Monitoring, Control and Surveillance MoMR: Ministry of Marine Resources MOA: Ministry of Agriculture MRRD: Marine Resources Research Davison NARI: National Agricultural Research Institution NBSAP: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NEMP-E: National Environmental Management Plan for Eritrea MSY: Maximun Sustainable Yield SDB: Semenawi and Debubawi Bahri SLM: Sustainable Land Management SOC: State of the Coast SOE: State of Eritrea SST: Sea Surface Temperature TAC: Total Allowable Catch UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Fifth National Report on Implementation of the United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity (UNCBD) describes and updates the status, trends and threats of biodiversity, and as well as measures undertaken by the Government State of Eritrea in achieving the objectives of the Convention and progresses made towards the Achi targets of 2020 since the submission of the Fourth National Report of 2010. As required by the Convention, the report contains three main parts as discussed below: i. An update on Biodiversity Status, Trends, Threats and Implications for human well being Biodiversity is critical to the livelihood of the majority of the Eritrean people. Agriculture (both crop and livestock production), forestry, and fisheries contribute greatly to the daily income of individual families. Life and development in Eritrea are firmly based on natural resources. The National Environmental Management Plan for Eritrea (NEMP-E, 1995) emphasized to ensure that human activities in both terrestrial and coastal areas result in long- lasting benefits. Eritrea‟s dependence on biodiversity is heavy. Therefore, conserving and sustainable use of natural resources is a major concern. The loss of biodiversity, along with climate change and desertification, were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development in Eritrea. Terrestrial Biodiversity The designation of the Semenawi and Debubawi Bahri, Buri-Irrori Hawakil Islands as well as Bara-Sole as protected area system in 2013 can be a practical intervention of the Government of the state of Eritrea to ensure conservation of the critical biodiversity resources. The proposed protected areas outstrip both the NBSAP and Aichi Biodiversity Targets in situ- conservation. Hence, more than one million hectare of terrestrial and marine ecosystem has been proposed for protected area establishment and that fund is secured from GEF/UNDP and Government expected to be implemented within 7 years. There is lack of information and data to generate reliable trends and changes on the status of species diversity. However, there are multiple indicators suggest that there is an overall declining trend for a significant number of species as a result of human made and natural calamities such as climate change, deforestation and over-exploitation of resources. Habitat transformation, particularly arising from expansion of agricultural area is direct driver of biodiversity decline. Cultivated systems (areas where at least 80% of the landscape falls under croplands, shifting cultivation, or livestock production) that cover three quarters of Eritrean‟s terrestrial surface. Habitat losses also occur in coastal and marine systems, though the transformation is relatively minimal and less documented. The forests and woodlands, especially along the riverine areas suffer from deforestation for irrigated horticultural purposes. Excessive collection of firewood and construction materials, over grazing/over browsing, settlements, recurrent droughts, and invasive alien species vi (Opuntia ficus indica in the highland forest and Prosopis juliflora in the riverine forest and lowland of Eritrea) are generally the major threats to the terrestrial ecosystem. Marine Biodiversity The Eritrean waters have not been afforded enough attention from scientists and conservationists. Several elements have shown the importance of the Eritrean coast and islands in terms of globally significant reservoir of biodiversity with unspoiled shores and waters. Generally the Eritrean coastline and Islands are vegetated with different species of halophytes and few non halophyte plants such as grasses and trees. Some plants that are commonly encountered include mangrove species. Of the seven mangrove species present in the Red Sea area, three species (Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal) exist within the Eritrean Red Sea coast. Two species of mangroves, Avicennia marina and Rizophora mucronata cover vast area of the muddy coasts, Avicennia marina being the most common Seagrasses are the only group of higher plants (flowering plants) adapted to life submerged under the Sea. Recent findings indicate that out of the 60 existing species worldwide; 12 species exist in the Eritrean Red Sea. Algae is also commonly distributed along the Eritrean Red Sea, representatives from the three main groups known as red, green and brown algae. Seaweeds are relatively dense, band of seaweed during winter months after which it dies down and almost completely disappears in summer due to high temperature. Sedimentation and anchoring are the main threats of seagrasses and algae. The Red Sea chains a variety of reef types. Typically, fringing reefs are by far the most abundant reef types, lying close to shore and varying greatly in size. Along the main coasts of the southern Eritrean Red Sea hard Corals are less developed. At least 38 existing coral genera and 220 species have been recorded in the Eritrean Red Sea. Many corals are relatively pristine, away from human and economic impact. Now a days there is an increasing threat due to coastal rapid development such as fisheries infrastructure, Fishing operations, aquarium fish collection, tourism, oil pollution, siltation (as a result of land reclamation and road construction), and other coastal developments. The Eritrean coasts and islands are well known for the large diversity of seabirds and shorebirds. Many species of seabirds and shorebirds exhibit migratory life styles. Over all 30 species are the Palearctic migrant from Europe that appear during winter. The introduction of predatory and grazing mammal species and human interference for decades proved to be the major extinction factor for island breeding birds. Eritrea is the home to five of the world‟s seven turtle species, which all of them are threatened with extinction globally, namely Green (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles. Green and hawksbill turtles are the most abundant and widely distributed along the broad shallow continental shelf of reef vii complex, sponge, sea grass and Macroalgae beds; and the other three species are rarely found. The main threats to turtles include incidental catch in trawling, net entanglement, disturbance of nesting and foraging habitats, poaching of eggs and hunting. There are a number of mammals which occur in the marine waters of Eritrea in which most of them are in the IUCN Red or Endangered list of Species. The status of dugong is inadequate, only one species (Dugon dugong) is found in the Eritrean Red Sea. It is widely distributed but less abundant throughout the shallow continental shelf of seagrass and macroalgae beds which are their main food components. A total of 15 cetacean species (7 whales and 8 dolphins) have been recorded from the Red Sea (PERSGA/GEF, 2004). They are relatively mobile and are likely to appear in Eritrean territorial waters at some time of a year. Agricultural Biodiversity Eritrea is recognized as a centre of origin and centre of diversity for a number of crops, notably the cereals: sorghum, wheat and barley. There is a rich diversity of crop landraces. Cereal crops cover about 90 per cent of the total annually cultivated land. Reports indicate that production and land cover of Millet (Pennisetum typoides and Eleusine caracona) is declining. Wheat (Triticum drum) is the most endangered to genetic erosion due to the past and current introduction of exotic varieties. Oil seed crops are dominated by sesame which stands at 74.5% coverage of total oil crops followed by groundnuts and linseed comprising 15% and 6.7% respectively, which are genetically declining. In general, agricultural biodiversity is declining as a result of climate change, land use change, and change in cropping pattern, replacement by improved seed, diseases and pests. Loss of these land-races would decrease the stock of genetic material available to plant breeders. ii. The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, its Implementation and the Mainstreaming of Biodiversity Eritrea as a Country Party to the CBD, among other things, has prepared and adopted the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in August 2000, as a reference document in order to stick to commitments accepted with the ratification of the CBD. The NBSAP was formulated taking into consideration the country‟s dependency on the biodiversity resources for socio-economic benefits and future conservation programmes. Consequently, the revised NBSAP is expected to review, set and update national biodiversity targets. The NBSAP is being formulated taking into consideration the country‟s dependency on biodiversity resources for socio-economic benefits and future conservation programmes. Consequently, the revised NBSAP is expected to review, set and update national biodiversity targets Since its formulation the country has put in place various measures to implement the Strategy and Action Plans. All relevant sectors are integrating plan of action towards conservation and viii sustainable use of the country‟s biodiversity in the context of NBSAP. Over the past four years, a number of sectoral policies, plans and legislation have been reviewed aiming at environmental challenges in areas of sectoral strategies and action plans including Agriculture, Land, Water and Environment, Energy and Mines, Marine Resources, Forestry and Wildlife, Tourism, Education, Construction and Zonal Administration. In order to improve and strengthen the forest and wildlife conservation and management, the Government has established a stand-alone authority called Forestry and Wildlife Authority (FWA) in 2012. In 2010 the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment issued a directive that the Semenawi and Debubawi Bahri remain under permanent enclosure. Furthermore, the Ministry conducted a comprehensive assessment in 2013 to operationalize an integrated Semenawi and Debubawi Bahri-Buri-Irrori- Hawakil and Bara-sole Proposed Protected Area System for conservation and management of biodiversity and mitigation of land degradation. However, these areas are yet to be demarcated and officially gazetted as protected areas. Despite all the policies and measures that have been instituted by the Government to implement the NBSAP and/or Convention, the following obstacles have been observed to fully implement the NBSAP strategies and action plans:  Inadequate resources to fully implement obligations of the Convention;  Inadequate resources to conduct comprehensive country biodiversity study;  Inadequate mainstreaming of biodiversity issues in sectors and National Government plans and budgets;  Limited capacity to generate accurate information and data as that are essential requirements for the establishment of protected area system; and  Low level of awareness on biodiversity at all levels. iii. Progress towards the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets and contributions to the Millennium Development Goals Eritrea is in the process of revising and updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2000), which is expected to set and realign national biodiversity targets to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011-2020) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The national process will revise and update the identified strategies and action plan in the NBSAP towards achieving the various Aichi Biodiversity Targets. In addressing the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society, the Government of the sate of Eritrea integrated the national and sectoral strategies and plans, which include: Public awareness and advocacy; Poverty ix Reduction Strategy and Sustainable Land Management; Promotion of traditional use of forest products; Community tree planting; and Alternative energy sources and efficient improved cooking stoves. To reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use, efforts have been undertaken that include: Mapping and documentation of potential areas for afforestation and for wildlife reserve; Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) Strategy developed; Obsolete chemicals studied and ready for disposal; Waste Water Management and Pollution Control Strategy was developed; and Invasive Alien Species sustainable utilization and Management Programme developed. To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity, Eritrea has proposed a total land area of 1,009,860 ha (649,266 ha for terrestrial and 360,594 ha for marine protected area; Elephant Management Plan and the Critical endangered African wild ass Management Plan established; Enhancing Ex-situ conservation of cultivated crops and forest genetic resources through human and infrastructure capacity building; and Documenting genetic resources information and studying genetic threats has been established. To enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services, Strategy on Degraded Catchments Treatments is being Implemented; Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Action Plan developed; and Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Programme is being implemented. To enhance the implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building, NBSAP is being reviewed and updated; Integrated Traditional knowledge associated with conservation of genetic resources and germplasm is being implemented; National Environmental Days such as Biodiversity Day, National Desertification Day, National Greening Day are being inaugurated; National Environmental Communication Strategy is being finalized; Environmental Station (E-station) installed; and Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Strategies and Plan in place. x