resources. Through the global BirdLife IBA network it has been shown that site protection significantly contributes to the conservation of birds and
biodiversity in the terrestrial environment (Butchart et al. 2012).
BOX 1.1 - What are IBAs?
Important Bird Areas or IBAs are priority sites for the conservation of biodiversity and especially birds, often irreplaceable or vulnerable, as they may host on a regular basis significant populations of one or more endangered, endemic or congregatory species. These sites include the best or typical examples of natural or almost pristine ecosystems, which over time become refuges for these species. IBAs have been selected in order to form, as a whole, a connective international network covering the biogeographical range of specific species and can be considered as the minimum necessary area sufficient to ensure their survival within their distribution. Therefore, the main goal of the IBA network is to secure suitable habitats for breeding, feeding, resting and overwintering of birds. BirdLife International has set criteria for the identification of IBAs for more than 30 years. These criteria are clear, internationally agreed, scientifically credible and objective and have been successfully applied to most bird habitats, terrestrial and freshwater (see Appendix 10.1; www.birdlife.org/datazone/info/ibacriteria). Recently these criteria have been adapted for their use in marine IBA identification (see Chapter 6). IBA sites are carefully identified, based on population data collected locally by each national BirdLife partner. Each IBA should be large enough to support populations of as many as possible of the key bird species for which it was identified, but also be of a size that is feasible to manage. As for migratory
species, each IBA must cover all their requirements during their presence. However, many bird species cannot be adequately protected by the IBA network and for their conservation a different approach must be followed combining protection measures within the wider environment and beyond the boundaries of protected areas. The IBA philosophy was developed by the International Council for Bird Protection (ICBP, currently BirdLife International) in the beginning of the 1980s. Nowadays, the same concept is actively utilised by governments, NGOs, institutions and scientists all over the world, as a tool for setting priorities and effective protection. IBAs are now widely recognised by local authorities, national legislation and policies, international agreements and conventions. The global IBA network accounts for over 11,400 sites in more than 200 countries, territories and marine zones, and covers in total more than 12,440,000 km2. On the international level, up until 2012 a total of 130 national and 8 regional inventories (Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Tropical Andes, North and South Americas and Australia) have been published. These publications are of great importance for the information of citizens, government institutions and management authorities of sites, so that necessary measures are undertaken for their protection and appropriate conservation.
BirdLife International’s IBA Programme BirdLife International’s IBA Programme aims to conserve and to improve the conservation status of IBAs identified, through the combined efforts of scientists and volunteers at local, national and international level. This aim can be achieved through the accurate and reliable inventory of IBAs, the continuous monitoring of their conservation status, the implementation of management plans and actions, the implementation of suitable policies, as 14
well as through sound national and international legislation. Apart from the international identification criteria, the selection criteria for IBAs in Europe have incorporated all commitments deriving from Nature Directives, such as the EU Council Directive 79/409/ EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (‘Birds Directive’) as amended by Directive 2009/147/ EC, the EU Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the