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CASE STUDIES FROM UNDP SUPPORTED, GEF FINANCED PROJEC TS IN THE EUROPE AND CIS REGION
sites, preventing annual emissions of about 270,000 tonnes of CO2 and saving the country up to $1 million in fire-fighting operations. Just one year after rehabilitation, most sites showed re-emergence of typical wetland vegetation and an increase in the density of water birds of up to 16 percent. In these restored wetlands scientists have recorded many species that had previously disappeared, including IUCN red-listed species such as the greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga), black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) and bittern (Botaurus stellaris). Local people have welcomed these restored peatlands as places for hunting and fishing, and for collecting medicinal plants, cranberries, bilberries, and mushrooms. At the policy level, the project finalised two technical regulations for the peat extraction sector that came into force on 1 January 2009. From now on, 90 percent of depleted peatlands must, at the end of their useful life in extraction, be restored as a peatland ecosystem by the extraction operators, while only 10 percent may be used for creation of reservoirs, for forestry or for recreational use. Whatever economic use the peatland is put to, the land-user is mandated to set aside resources for restoring it to a natural condition after use, using the know-how developed by the project. Rehabilitation of worked out peatlands will further reduce annual emissions of CO2 and extend the habitats of wetland flora and fauna.
“Instead of black desert, there is a green living land. The peatland had suffered from disastrous fires every year, but after project implementation not one fire was recorded on the restored peatland. Local people noticed the recovery of biodiversity: new species of birds and fish appeared. And the most obvious evidence of positive results is the fact that this place became a centre for family outings, for fishing and hunting by local people and for visitors in the winter and summer.” CHESLAV BORKO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LIDA FOREST ENTERPRISES DOKUDOVSKOE PEATLAND, LIDA DISTRICT, GRODNO REGION.
The project has also catalysed partnerships with national and international NGOs. With support from the German Government’s International Climate Initiative, the partners are investing in further carbon research and peatland rehabilitation and are developing a methodology for trading in carbon emission reductions from
Project facts Duration: 2005-2010. GEF grant: $1.0 million. Cofinancing: $2.37 million. For further information, contact Dr Alexander Kozulin: Kozulin@tut.by Project web site: www.peatlands.by
Belarus peatlands in the voluntary carbon market. These achievements have attracted the attention of neighbouring countries; a similar approach is being adopted in Ukraine, and peatland managers and authorities from the Russian Federation have shown interest in adopting the project’s expertise.
Community engagement in peatland restoration activities. PHOTO: SERGEI ZUYONAK
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