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Results Forum News 32 article: Species Action Planning in Montserrat Purpose The status of threatened species in Montserrat is enhanced through the strengthening of capacity in Montserrat government and NGO agencies for Species Action Planning. Context Effective biodiversity conservation needs good management of sites and habitats coupled with focused species action. For example, in the UK, the national Biodiversity Action Plan has a system of Habitat Action Plans linked to Species Action Plans (SAPs). SAPs and participatory action planning are recognised as a highly effective tool for species conservation, because: - they allow a strategic, holistic, logframe-based approach, which captures all relevant sectors and issues in a single document.
- they can be highly effective at engaging stakeholders and the wider public.
- they allow a prioritised list of conservation activities to be developed, which can be used to develop future projects in a rational way.
- they use targets and milestones to measure progress, thus providing a useful evaluation and feedback mechanism.
In Montserrat, the capacity for the management of sites for conservation and sustainable resource use is under development, through the Darwin Initiative funded Centre Hills Project. The Centre Hills Project held a participatory management planning workshop in September 2006 at which the need for the development of capacity in Montserrat for Species Action Planning was identified. In general, the use of SAPs is poorly developed in the UK Overseas Territories (with Bermuda being one exception that we are aware of). One example of an SAP in the UK OTs is that of the Montserrat Oriole, which was led by the RSPB. However limited capacity remains in Montserratian agencies to lead and manage the SAP process. The proposed project aims to build on the success of the Montserrat Oriole SAP by strengthening capacity in Montserrat for Species Action Planning and by producing a suite of plans for the most vulnerable and highest priority species that require specific conservation measures. Montserrat is one of the most important UK OTs for biodiversity conservation, containing numerous endemic and restricted-range species. A considerable number of these species are highly threatened at a global level, and hence are urgently in need of species-based conservation measures. The species chosen for this project have been selected for the urgency with which they require conservation attention, and to encompass a wide range of taxa and conservation issues, so that capacity building is broad-based. There are two Critically Endangered species: the Mountain Chicken Leptodactylus fallax and Montserrat galliwasp Diploglossus montisserrati the Endangered yellow-shouldered volcano bat Sturnira thomasi vulcanensis plus the two very rare endemic plant species Rondeletia buxifolia and Epidendrum montserratense (not yet Red List evaluated, but very likely to be evaluated as Critically Endangered). The Mountain Chicken is found only on Montserrat and Dominica, however, the Dominican population is on the brink of extinction, due to the arrival in recent years of Chytridomycosis fungus. The Montserratian population is subject to a high risk of predation by introduced rats and feral pigs, commercial hunting, which has never been assessed for sustainability, and an unknown level of risk of inadvertent import of the Chytrid fungus. The galliwasp is known only from roughly one hectare of unprotected forest, in an area subject to rapid residential development, and is also probably highly sensitive to rat and feral pig predation. The galliwasp is the only member of its family in the Lesser Antilles and is therefore unique and extremely valuable to Montserrat. The yellow-shouldered volcano bat is endemic to Montserrat at a sub-species level but was thought to be extinct until a single lactating female was caught in 2005. The two plant species are also island endemics with a highly restricted distribution. To date the vast majority of all recorded localities of these species fall outside the proposed Centre Hills protected area boundary and are therefore extremely vulnerable to disturbance. If Species Action Planning is to become an effective conservation tool in Montserrat, it is vital that the capacity within the Territory is strengthened to execute the process from beginning to end. By piloting the process, and producing high quality Plans, this project could serve as a template for other OTs, and start a cascade of SAPs elsewhere in the region. Outputs - Capacity in Montserrat is strengthened for Species Action Planning:
-A minimum of 3 Montserratians trained in skills needed for Species Action Planning.
-Five Species Action Plans published and adopted by national Government as a formal tool for biodiversity conservation.
-Five Species Interest Groups of relevant stakeholders, led by an on-island Chair established to implement the SAPs
-Funding proposals for implementation of actions identified in Plans produced. - A customised user-friendly database, linked to a GIS, established in MALHE to manage and interpret scientific data on the status and ecology of five key species, and other biodiversity data.
- Urgent conservation actions implemented to start the recovery of the most endangered species, including ex situ conservation of 2 endemic plants and advocacy for changes in legislation and land-use planning to protect key species and sites.
Main Activities - Workshop to identify specific capacity needs in Montserrat, meeting to carry out detailed project planning, meeting to evaluate information on the status of the five key species and design status surveys.
- Status surveys of the bat, galliwasp and 2 endemic plants conducted to establish the information needed for effective Species Action Planning (the Mountain Chicken is already subject to a long-term monitoring programme).
- Design and implementation of a customised, user-friendly database to be held by MALHE to manage and interpret project and other ecological data and training provided for MALHE and MNT staff.
- Analysis and interpretation of historical and project data for the five species prior to SAP workshops.
- Dedicated courses and on the job training to train a minimum of 3 Montserrat professionals in a variety of skills required for Species Action Planning including: project design, management and proposal writing; workshop co-ordination and facilitation; data management and interpretation; technical and non-technical report production; and design of ecological survey and research.
- Five participatory Species Action Planning workshops to: review information on key species; identify stakeholders and their roles; identify potential problems and solutions; agree a medium-term goal and long-term vision for species recovery; design conservation actions; establish Species Interest Groups to develop proposals for financing and implementing conservation actions; and define a monitoring and evaluation scheme.
- Production of SAP documents for the five key species.
- Advocating formal adoption of SAPs by Government, and legislative change to protect key sites and populations of the yellow-shouldered bats mountain chicken, galliwasp and endemic plants, through regular meetings with governmental departments and committees.
Stakeholder Analysis This proposal has been developed in full collaboration between a range of local and international stakeholders with an interest in biodiversity conservation in Montserrat, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and Environment (MALHE), Monserrat National Trust(MNT), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT), Royal Botanic Gardens-Kew (RBG-K)and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). In development of this proposal, we have closely consulted with the Centre Hills Project, which is run by a steering group consisting of a range of people from Montserrat Government and civic society, all of whom are active in the conservation of Montserrat's biodiversity. Critical Assumptions Risk 1: Key members of staff in Montserrat agencies leave post.
Probability: Low
Impact: High
Management: Assurances from key people to remain in post sought. Risk 2: Status surveys do not deliver sufficiently high quality information for Species Action Planning.
Probability: Medium
Impact: Medium
Management: Ensure rigorous design of status surveys and adequate resources are provided. Risk 3: Volcanic activity disrupts status surveys.
Probability: Medium
Impact: Medium
Management: Include contingency time in the status survey work plans. Risk 4: Species Action Plans are not formally adopted by the Montserrat Government.
Probability: Low
Impact: Medium
Management: Ensure relevant Government officials are included in all phases of the project. Wider Significance Montserrat agencies prioritise, design, implement and evaluate effective conservation action for threatened species based on scientifically robust evidence and systematic strategic planning. One person from Montserrat will be employed by the project as a field biologist for one year. The project will provide part funding towards the salaries of the Montserrat project manager and field biologist from MALHE. Eco-tourism is viewed as a major component of the Montserrat Tourist Board business strategy and therefore conserving, restoring and raising the awareness of flagship species will benefit tourism revenue in Montserrat. There is potential for the endemic plants to be propagated at the MNT nursery and material to be sold for local use and hence contribute to the start of a new income stream and encouraging the use of endemic plants in landscaping and home display. Other Information Funded by FCO/DIFD Overseas Territories Environment Programme, 2007, project no. MNT403 Multilateral Environmental Agreements The proposed project will help Montserrat to achieve the nation's Environmental Charter obligation "To safeguard and restore native species, habitats and landscape features, and control or eradicate invasive species". It will also help achieve one of the St. Georges' Declaration Of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to protect plant and animal species; "The flora and fauna and the ecosystems of the region will be conserved and protected. At the same time, the people and authorities must prevent the introduction of alien and modified species, which may have a negative impact on the environment and their health. Endangered species and their habitats will be secured and protected." The Convention on Biological Diversity obliges countries to adopt a national biodiversity strategy and the production of SAPs as a conservation tool is key to the development of such a strategy. Although Montserrat has to date not yet acceded to the CBD, MALHE expects this process to completed in the near future and is one of the highest priorities of the newly established Environment Department.
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