INTEGRATED PLANNING FOR LANDSCAPE APPROACH

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1 INTEGRATED PLANNING FOR LANDSCAPE APPROACH Methodological approaches to territorial planning for conservation

2 INTRODUCTION T he growing demand for natural resources has put increasing pressure on biodiversity and associated ecosystem services, with severe impacts on human well-being in the future. The maintenance of natural resources in this scenario requires a transversal approach to conservation that takes local reality into account and integrates with regional management. In this sense, landscape approach represents a conceptual framework that brings together several actors and their objectives. The aim is to reconcile social, economic, and environmental interests with local-level action planning, while at the same time considering broader goals and outcomes, such as those set by national governments or international commitments. SCIENCE PROGRAM For fifteen years, WWF-Brasil s Science Program has developed territorial planning studies, supporting various conservation initiatives. This work is carried out in partnership with other WWF-Brasil programs, alongside the WWF Network and national and international institutions, using diverse and complementary methodologies and tools to address different conservation and land use challenges. The purpose of the Science Program is to develop concepts, methodologies and analyses to plan and monitor efficient strategies for biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation in natural landscapes. Two main strategies are adopted: Strategy 1 relates to the application of solutions that promote integrated conservation planning to multiple sectors of society, taking into account conflicts and opportunities. The objective is to provide support for planning and monitoring of efficient biodiversity conservation strategies Territorial planning has the potential to make the opportunities, conflicts and potential of each area clear to multiple actors, allowing for transparent discussion and decision-making, based on evidence of the priorities and choices needed to reach different objectives. For more than fifteen years we have been developing studies that contributes to landscape planning in multiple scales. As a result, it can support decision making and influence public policies and investments. In this publication, we gathered the main approaches adopted by WWF-Brasil in landscape planning, with general guidelines and case studies. and ecosystem services in terrestrial and aquatic landscapes so that they can be used as a negotiation and decision support tool by governments and companies, as well as by the civil society. The definition of priority areas for conservation, restoration of degraded areas, zoning and risk analysis are examples of developed solutions. Strategy 2 seeks to share methodologies and concepts through training offered to specialists and decision makers, and the design and management of various information systems, such as conservation support platforms for both WWF and partner institutions. Trainings can address conceptual issues to discuss strategic visions, new theories and innovative mechanisms, as well as more practical aspects, such as the use of tools and the development of analytical routines for specific studies. The platforms aim to disseminate knowledge and support ongoing projects through public consultations and database sharing, as well as disseminate study results in the form of dynamic and well-illustrated publications. We hope to disseminate the application of the methodologies and provide options for the incorporation of scientific knowledge in the different regions of Brazil. 1 Promote integrated conservation planning to multiple sectors of society, taking into account conflicts and opportunities. 2 Develop and share methodologies and concepts

3 LINES OF ACTION CARRY OUT ANALYZES AND TECHNICAL STUDIES: PRODUCTION, MANAGEMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE: CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT: Support the design of conservation projects and the decision-making of multiple partners on land use; Monitor and report the impacts of conservation actions and guide conscious environmental planning. Spatial resources to support decisions; Publications and platforms to share studies and results; Capacity building of different actors, multiplying the adoption of environmental planning concepts, methodologies and tools. That involves strategic visions, new theories and innovative mechanisms; From topics related to nature conservation from positioning documents with scientific basis. METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES The methodological approaches adopted encompass different routines of analyses and use biodiversity (or proxies), hydrological, vegetation, and socioeconomic data to generate information to support territorial planning in multiple scales of intervention, such as a micro basin, a municipality or a protected area. Prioritization of Areas Zoning Risk Assesments Hidrological Data Vegetation Data Biodiversity Data Socioeconomic Data Land Use Data Others WWF-Brasil has been playing an active role in landscape planning as an articulator, source and generator of knowledge. Through studies, plans and technical documents, it promotes the sustainable use of the environment and the optimization of investments in environmental conservation.

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5 INTEGRATED PLANNING FOR LANDSCAPE APPROACHES INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT Promote integrated conservation planning to multiple sectors of society For the dissemination of strategic visions, new theories and approaches 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Developing landscape analyses in partnership with WWF Network, other institutions, universities and government OBJECTIVE To share the main approaches adopted by WWF-Brasil in landscape planning, with general guidelines and case studies To To stop stop degradation the degradation of the planet s of the planet s natural natural environment environment and to build and a to future build in a which future humans in which live humans in harmony live in with harmony nature. with nature. panda.org/lpr wwf.org.br 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF is a WWF Registered Trademark. WWF, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel ; Fax For contact details and further information, please visit our international website at

6 COMMON STEPS TO MOST OF THE APPROACHES: Diagnosis of the regional context and its attributes Engagement of of multiple stakeholders Definition of conservation solutions for different scenarios Integration of processes and results into regional management Integrated analysis Support for efficient decision-making and planning

7 INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE PLANNING OBJECTIVE Aims to identify priority areas to be conserved, restored and/or to guide zoning processes RESULTS Territorial planning guidelines that takes into consideration the potential and vulnerability of the area SCIENCE PROGRAM 2017 BR ILP REACH São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, South of Bahia state and South of the Amazonas state were mapped by WWF To To stop stop degradation the degradation of the of planet s the planet s natural natural environment and and to to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. panda.org/lpr wwf.org.br 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF is a WWF Registered Trademark. WWF, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel ; Fax For contact details and further information, please visit our international website at CONSIDERS The most sensitive and important areas for conservation targets INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE PLANNING The Integrated Landscape Planning (ILP) is an approach that integrates ecological, social and economic attributes of an area aimed at: 1. Identifying priority areas to be conserved or restored; 2. Establishing environmental zoning; 3. Supporting the definition of actions or decisions based on the opportunities and needs of each landscape. This method does not require setting goals. It compiles and consolidates attributes already mapped by other studies. The result is a dynamic layer of information that can be reviewed at any time, both for insertion of new data and for new directions to be set by experts. Therefore, it can be easily adopted to different contexts.

8 ECOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ATTRIBUTES Where it was applied Identifying priority areas to be conserved or restored Establishing environmental zoning Supporting the definition of actions or decisions Steps of the process THREATS AND TARGETS ANALYSES COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS ACTIONS AND ZONING A diagnosis in which information, geospatial and socioeconomic data are organized for mapping threats and setting conservation targets. Overlapping the data collected with the planning units, using a weighting approach similar to that of ERI, to classify each component of the analysis depending on the influence it exerts on the study target. The sum of all ratings will support the identification of areas that are most sensitive and important to conservation targets. In the previous example, the higher the weight, the higher the restoration priority in that planning unit. A decision tree is adopted for proposing actions and/or zoning. RESULT The result is a process that allows for reviews and validations by experts and local actors, so that the final map has more adherence to reality. Integrated planning for nine municipalities in the Southern Bahia (Atlantic Forest) The ILP was adopted in the definition of priority areas for the Conservation and Restoration Plans of the Atlantic Forest in nine municipalities in the Southern portion of Bahia state. This project was a collaboration among several organizations, and the municipalities of Belmonte, Canavieiras, Eunápolis, Guaratinga, Itabela, Itagimirim, Itapebi, Mascote and Santa Cruz Cabrália. WWF-Brasil was responsible for preparing the priority area maps, based on a landscape level analysis that considered the capacity to maintain, regenerate and reconnect the existing Atlantic Forest remnants and conserve water resources. Data on climate change, land use and endemic biodiversity were also incorporated. The great innovation of this project was the consolidation of an environmental plan - integrated with other economic and social aspects - built along a collaborative process involving local actors. The plans are at an initial stage of implementation and they are now important tools for territorial management and for the promotion of the application of public and private resources in the region.

9 ECOLOGICAL RISK INDEX ERI OBJECTIVE Aims to qualify the risk of ecosystems ecological integrity loss RESULTS That contribute to the integrated management of water resources SCIENCE PROGRAM 2017 BR ECOLOGICAL RISK INDEX APPLICATION Over 10 years applying the ERI approach To To stop stop degradation the degradation of the of planet s the planet s natural natural environment and and to to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. panda.org/lpr wwf.org.br 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF is a WWF Registered Trademark. WWF, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel ; Fax For contact details and further information, please visit our international website at REACH 48% of South America and 60% of Brazil were mapped The Ecological Risk Index (ERI) approach aims to qualify the risk of loss of ecological integrity 1 of aquatic ecosystems. This calculation considers the different uses and sectors concerned in the territory for which an intervention is planned. This analysis was originally designed to evaluate freshwater ecosystems but could also be adapted to fundamental aspects for the environment functioning are recognized: 1. energy sources 2. hydric regime 3. water quality 4. biotic interactions 5. physical structure of habitats terrestrial or marine ecosystems. The ERI qualitatively assesses changes in According to Karr et al. (1986) and Mattson these five aspects, due to multiple uses of & Argermeier (2007), which propose natural resources, in order to calculate an the bases for calculating the ERI, five index for each portion of the study area. 1 - The concept of ecological integrity is in the Earth Charter and consists of protecting and restoring the integrity of Earth s ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain and renew life. The Earth Charter is a statement of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society, developed by a global civil society initiative and completed in 2000.

10 ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS Case study Amazon biome Rio das Velhas Basin Alto Paraguai Basin Xingu Basin Tapajós Basin Bahia Basin ENERGY SOURCE HYDROLOGICAL REGIME WATER QUALITY BIOTIC INTERACTIONS HABITAT STRUCTURE Organic matter Food chains Steps of the process LAND USES Temporality Speed Quality FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY Physical Chemical SEVERITY INDEX Introduction of exotic species migration Channel geometry CONSOLIDATED INDEX Ecological Risk Analysis of the Paraguay River Basin Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil e Paraguay This analysis was developed in 2012 for the Water and Climate Initiative, a global partnership between WWF Network, HSBC Bank, and the Great Lakes Alliance, a partnership between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Caterpillar Foundation. basin to support governments of the four countries, as well as civil society, in the establishment of a climate adaptation agenda to the Pantanal. It also collaborated for the integrated and transboundary management of water resources. Multiple land uses of the territory in all the study area are identified and mapped. The frequency index describes the extent of occurrence of the activity in the territory. The severity index is an Workshops are held with the participation of researchers, governmental managers and specialists with The information generated in the analysis can be used to understand the dynamics of the estimate of the magnitude different background, to territory as a whole. of its consequences. rank the activities. This analysis helps territorial planning because: it allows us to asses, for example, whether it allows us to estimate the conservation cost of an important area that guarantees each planning unit: areas at greater risk have a the water supply of a city is losing its higher conservation cost, i.e. it is more difficult ecological integrity, compromising the to conserve areas where there are many uses, quantity or the quality of the water; large extent of a single use or severe impacts. Thus, it is possible to prioritize conservation efforts in areas with greater chances of persistence in the long term or to identify areas in need of immediate intervention. The objective was to identify the status of the ecological components that guarantee the integrity of the aquatic systems in the The study area covered more than 2,600 km of the Paraguay River, from its source, in the region of Diamantino (MT), to the confluence with the Paraná River, in Corrientes (Argentina). The drainage area has more than 1,135,000 km², which is equivalent to more than 800 Itaipu reservoirs, or 35 times the area of Portugal, covering portions of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. Results included the detailed ecological risks for four regions: 1. Headwaters and tributaries in the Brazilian Cerrado and Chiquitano forest; 2. Atlantic Rain Forest Region of the Paraguay River Basin; 3. Development axis of Salta/Jujuy; 4. Puerto Suarez and Tucavaca Valley.

11 SYSTEMATIC CONSEVATION PLANNING RESULTS Priority areas for creation of protected areas, environmental compensation, promotion of sustainable economic activities APPLICATION Over 10 years applying the SCP approach SCIENCE PROGRAM 2017 BR SCP SYSTEMATIC CONSERVATION PLANNING REACH 53% of South America and 79% of Brazil were mapped by WWF including 100% of the Cerrado, Pantanal and Amazon biomes To To stop stop degradation the degradation of the of planet s the planet s natural natural environment and and to to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. panda.org/lpr wwf.org.br 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF is a WWF Registered Trademark. WWF, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel ; Fax For contact details and further information, please visit our international website at RECOGNITION The Cerrado-Pantanal priority areas were officially recognized by the Environmental Ministry Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) is a robust approach that aims to identify priority areas for conservation and/or restoration. It combines information on conservation targets (species, ecosystems and ecosystem services that needs to be protected) with information on the conservation cost (where it is easier or harder to protect) and landscape aspects. It aims to promote an integrated view of territories, maximizing the efficiency of the solution and the persistence of ecological functions. It evaluates the ecological representation of the network of protected areas to propose the creation of new complementary areas for the achievement of conservation goals in the most efficient way, that is, avoiding areas with high conservation costs. It is a participatory process, with several stages of consultation to conduct the diagnosis of the study area, definition of prioritization criteria and indication of conservation actions for the prioritized areas.

12 PRIORITY AREAS Where it was applied Conservation targets Conservation costs Landscape aspects Steps of the process mapinhas 01 CONSERVATION TARGETS The first stage consists of a diagnosis of the study area, in which selected species, ecosystems and ecosystem services, called conservation targets, are mapped. 02 CONSERVATION GOALS For each target, a conservation goal is set from a proportion of the extent of the occurrence of the target, which is then weighted by criteria such as conservation status and extinction risk. 03 THREATS TO CONSERVATION During the diagnosis, threats to conservation are also mapped, which can be compiled in several ways, including through the results of the Ecological Risk Index (ERI). 04 LANDSCAPE ASPECTS Information about landscape aspects, such as the amount of natural vegetation remnants and their potential to increase connectivity, are also mapped. Priority areas for conservation, sustainable use and sharing of biodiversity benefits in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes Held in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment between 2011 and 2013 and published in 2015, the study updated the priority areas for conservation developed between 1998 and 2000 and revised for the first time in More than 100 experts were consulted, resulting in the identification of : information about Cerrado and Pantanal, creating a database to advance in actions to improve knowledge and effective protection of these biomes. 05 PRIORITIZATION ANALYSES The information gathered in the diagnosis generates a prioritization analysis of areas in which the system seeks to maximize the achievement of goals and connectivity, minimizing conservation costs. 06 QUALIFIED AREA The result of the area selection is qualified so that it is possible to assess the contribution of the priority areas to the conservation of regional biodiversity and ecosystem services. 07 ACTIONS FOR PRIORITY AREAS Based on this qualification, several experts and public managers are consulted in order to propose actions for each priority area. RESULT Map/list of priority areas and recommendations for each of them: creation of protected areas, restoration initiatives, protection/ payment for ecosystem services, environmental compensation. 300 priority areas; 69 of extreme priority; 152 of very high priority; 79 of high priority. Total priority area covered 8,611 thousand hectares, which represents 35% of the Cerrado and Pantanal. Proposed actions include creation of protected areas, promotion of sustainable economic activities, best agricultural practices. The study also provided an analysis biodiversity gaps and status, from species to ecosystem types. It also organized The results of the study were officially recognized by the government in 2016, through an infra legal mechanism of the Environmental Ministry.

13 WATER CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OBJECTIVE Aims to map priority basins that contributes to the hydrological dynamics of the landscape APPLICATION Provides guidance on how to increase the efficiency of interventions and investments in river basins SCIENCE PROGRAM 2017 BR WCA OUTCOME Highlights priority sub-basins for conservation and restoration actions To To stop stop degradation the degradation of the of planet s the planet s natural natural environment and and to to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. panda.org/lpr wwf.org.br 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF is a WWF Registered Trademark. WWF, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel ; Fax For contact details and further information, please visit our international website at REACH 25% of Brazil was mapped, including the basins of the Doce, Paraguay, Xingu and Tapajós rivers and Bahia state WATER CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS The Water Contribution Analysis (WCA) aims to quantify the water supply of each sub-basin into a larger river basin in order to guide and maximize the efficiency of interventions and investments aimed at improving water supply in a basin. Considering the direct relationship between the presence of natural vegetation cover and the availability of water resources, the idea of this approach is to highlight priority areas to be conserved or restored to ensure the maintenance or improvement of water supply. Based on runoff and relief information, it is possible to identify which sub-basins generate most of the river flow, affecting the hydrological dynamics of the region. The idea is that stimulating the generation of clean water flowing towards the main river, clearance of contaminants, for example, will occur faster.

14 PRIORITY AREAS FOR CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION Where it was applied Presence of natural vegetation cover Availability of water resources mapinhas AVAIABILITY OF WATER RESOURCES OF EACH SUB-BASINS Runoff Relief information Steps of the process MAPPING SUB-BASINS CALCULATING THE FLOW IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS SELECTING AREAS Consists in mapping the sub-basins in the study area Involves the calculation of the flow of each sub-basin, based on relief and The product of this calculation is classified according to the Areas that present higher flow, therefore, greater contribution to the runoff data water contribution water system of the basin, are selected. Doce River Basin In November, 2015, the burst of two dams in the central portion of Brazil represented one of the major environmental disasters in the country and globally. Brazil s national water agency, ANA, has warned that the presence of arsenic, zinc, copper and mercury in the river made the water untreatable for human consumption. Over half a million people had no access to clean water. The lack of oxygen and high temperatures caused by the pollutants killed much of the aquatic life along the river. While most of the people were concerned about how to recover the river channel or minimize the impact of mud on marine ecosystems, WWF-Brasil sought an ecosystem-based solution that aims to strengthen and enhance the potential of the local ecological dynamics of the region to accelerate the recovery of the basin. Based on runoff and relief data, we performed an analysis to identify which subbasins generate most of the flow of the Doce River, impacting the whole hydrological dynamics of the region. The idea is that stimulating the generation of clean water flowing towards the main river, clearance of contaminants will occur faster. Recovery actions in these areas will help reduce impact in coastal and marine ecosystems as well, improving the quality of the water that will reach the river outlet. RESULT The final result is a map that highlights the priority areas for conservation and restoration actions, considering the maintenance or improvement of water supply in the basin. The study was made available through an online platform ( php?id=22). It includes maps of remaining vegetation of the basin and the identification of priority sub-basins. After mapping these areas, WWF-Brasil proposed emergency actions, as well as medium and long-term actions.