A GLOBAL OVERVIEW OF PROTECTED AREAS ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE FOR BIODIVERSITY A contribution to the Global Theme Study of World Heritage Natural Sites DRAFT Text and Tables compiled by Gemma Smith and Janina Jakubowska Maps compiled by Ian May UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre Cambridge, UK July 2000 ‘®) @ © IUCN —7 The World Conservation Union UNEP WCMC Ve Arey, NDA” + ACE para ~ TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION DH OVHOWERWIE Whe seas carers car eco ree rare cere eee ee TRUE ET SA OE ADEE RE, TEENS SOP DU) RIESE EU ee 1 2A OlmISSWESUIO\ © ONSIDE Ras sccsee ota eee se oe oe oaas cas ohsccssessuteehc dea tate sevcc ome eesie sees Seo en ane eal elena 1 S2OF WIFTATMISHEIODIWERS Ubvergectcse tecacsc cee sect ecve cic cours cccascs sac soca sreonsvasererer tras ponatT taeo oneee Se D AiO pPASSESSMENMB MEH ODO le OG genes sicctacsacoe ces creccce cette sconce Sa a ee RT ES eC 3 510 *CURRENTAWOREDIHERUDA GE SIDE Sis-ctesccsecssesecccssncssncccssnieesssveceadsavestvnsetisctecerecortens erste tencisee coir 4 5) CRITERION (lig) ese tect ates cot cee ra eee ca pce ae Fess cdoee ee onc oeee ae ea eee ae eS 4 eo WORED FERIA GENS IME SHIN DANGER trsteccesesctsscee cre cset rote rste ere ee ee 4 SESH COASERS TUDDIES eererrae rae oes totes ca CU RU. OL OE ae oe Ne St tL Oe ee eee. eee 5 6.0 BIOGEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE .......ccccccsssesscesseesesesceescenseeesseesseeeees a) 6.1 UDVARDY BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCES ........::ccsceeeeesseeseeeseeees 5 6.2 BAILEY’S ECOREGIONS ..........:ccesceseeeseeees 6 7.0 KEY PRIORITISATION PROGRAMME AREAS....c<.s2.cscsseccsccsssccsseceseoccesscsssscsnseossoveseceseecessscsscessssonreoeess 6 Ele WIW GUOB ATE? 0 ONE COREGIONS oe ncscccecncssccste sac sccccectecneces cee seavoseseaee reese goth Seen Tee Te Te) AEENTRESIOEJRIFAN THD NVIERS Gnys (CBD) pesereesncesseetoeacccers teres see eee see occ cree Seto ee ne 7.3, CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL — BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS ............2:cseseccessecesssceessssessecessesensnees 7.4 VAVILOV CENTRES OF PLANT GENETIC DIVERSITY ..........:ccsccccsccessscssccesscessesssccsecsscensscnssessecnsecsees Pe ENDEMICIBIRDIAR EAS (EEVAS) ieceeccrecr crete care eee eae SIO MREVSAREAS FORMIDENTIBIED SPECIES teste cece reer cree aee cae eee eee ee SHE s CRIMICATEYEENDANGERED MVAWA rescuer teeta et sam MNT Les hese suacsacacede sees taaeeeneessemee ee eee SD INVARINE MU RDEES ES ees eet oe eens SOE RES 2 OE UTE hE ID coe eke 9/0) INENSHABITPATBARE AS Het ee ee sien ne. J lnoniieet acwiel pls 2 lal geet). See F OS SRVANISIAIRAG IIE Sit eee mere ti grt Sacred ASA RI BN occ sae buses Cabee soa SSeEE SERS RS StL Sos «ESET EO OD RMARINEIB TOD VERS II vgecesscercec cece coce soe cooo ee coos es soSa Soe Saa SUNG Coen seo RET ROLES OT 9.3 REFERENCES TABLES TABLE 1. NATURAL AND MIXED WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE FOR BIODIVERSITY TABLE 2. NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITES LISTED UNDER CRITERION IV TABLE 3. NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE FOR BIODIVERSITY INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER (NOVEMBER 1999) TABLE 4. WORLD HERITAGE SITE BY UDVARDY BIOGEOGRAPHIC PROVINCE. TABLE 5. UDVARDY BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCES NOT REPRESENTED BY WORLD HERITAGE SITES TABLE 6. WORLD HERITAGE SITES WITHIN CENTRES OF PLANT DIVERSITY (CPD) TABLE 7 REGIONAL CENTRES OF PLANT DIVERSITY NOT REPRESENTED IN THE CURRENT WORLD HERITAGE LIST TABLE 8. WORLD HERITAGE SITES WITHIN VAVILOV CENTRES OF PLANT GENETIC DIVERSITY TABLE 9. WORLD HERITAGE SITES WITHIN ENDEMIC BIRD AREAS TABLE 10. ENDEMIC BIRD AREAS NOT CONTAINING NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITES TABLE 11. ENDEMIC BIRD AREAS PRIORITISED AS “CRITICAL” NOT CONTAINING NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITES TABLE 12. WORLD HERITAGE SITES CONTAINING “CRITICALLY ENDANGERED” TAXA. TABLE 13. WORLD HERITAGE SITES THAT ARE ALSO LISTED UNDER THE RAMSAR CONVENTION (WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE). TABLE 14, POTENTIAL NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITES TABLE 15. RAMSAR SITES THAT COULD MERIT FUTURE WORLD HERITAGE NOMINATION LOCH MAPS ANNEX |: CURRENT NATURAL AND MIXED WORLD HERITAGE SITES ANNEX 2. CASE STUDIES CASE STUDY: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS — HIGH LEVEL OF ENDEMISM AND SPECIATION CASE STUDY: MANU NATIONAL PARK — HIGH LEVEL OF BIODIVERSITY CASE STUDY: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK — KEY THREATENED SPECIES ANNEX 3: CRITERIA FOR THE INCLUSION OF NATURAL PROPERTIES ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This working paper provides a global overview of the current coverage of existing World Heritage Sites of particular importance for the conservation of biodiversity, and suggests existing protected areas of significant biodiversity value, which may merit future World Heritage nomination. In 1996, IUCN initiated a project to prepare a global strategy for Natural World Heritage sites, and as part of this process began to prepare a series of thematic global overviews on World Heritage site coverage. This document is an updated addition to these theme studies. A total of 141 sites, representing 65 countries and over 142 million ha of protected areas were identified as being of particular importance for biodiversity. The sites detailed in this study were selected on the basis of natural World Heritage sites that lay within or contained a site that had been defined as: Criterion iv (significant biodiversity) (95 sites) A WWE “Global 200” site (124 sites) A Centre of Plant Diversity (CPD) (74 sites) A Conservation International (CI) biodiversity hotspot (57 sites) Vavilov Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity (40 sites) An Endemic Bird Area (EBA) (71 sites) Contains “Critically Endangered” taxa (60 sites) Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar site) (16 sites) An area of marine importance (contained coral reefs (14 sites), mangroves (18 sites) or turtle nesting beaches) (15 sites) $2. GD I ONO Sed NS Global maps illustrating the distribution of the sites for each category were also produced. A coarse GIS analysis found only 6 out of 141 sites contained 8 of the 9 indicators listed above, no current natural and mixed World Heritage sites (as of November 1999) contained all 9 indicators. While terrestrial ecosystems are well represented, marine and wetland environments are not. Additionally over 90 sites were identified as potentially meriting consideration for future nomination. It is hoped that this overview will assist [UCN in making comparative evaluations and provide the World Heritage Committee with a stronger scientific basis for making decisions on new World Heritage nominations. INTRODUCTION A global overview of World Heritage sites of particular importance for biodiversity 1.0 Overview In 1996, IUCN initiated a project to prepare a global strategy for Natural World Heritage sites, and as part of this process began to prepare a series of thematic global overviews on World Heritage site coverage. These overviews are intended to assist [UCN in making comparative evaluations of World Heritage site nominations and to provide the World Heritage Committee with a firmer scientific basis for making decisions. They also provide State Parties with the global perspective relevant to identifying potential World Heritage properties in their territories. Global overviews of fossil sites, wetland and marine protected areas and forest protected areas have already been prepared, and two others are in development. In 1998 a preliminary working paper was compiled by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), providing an overview of World Heritage in the context of biodiversity conservation. The current document builds upon this first attempt, and addresses some of the key information needs identified in the 1998 study, as requiring further development. The purpose of this document is twofold: firstly, it will provide an overview of current natural World Heritage sites of significant biodiversity value, and secondly, it will identify existing protected areas of high biodiversity value that may be considered for future inscription on the World Heritage List. This overview identifies 141 natural and mixed World Heritage sites of particular importance for biodiversity. They represent 65 countries and over 142 million ha of protected areas. It also identifies 94 existing protected areas (ranked according to increasing levels of biodiversity value), that may merit future World Heritage nomination. 2.0 Issues to Consider Biodiversity is a very broad area to cover, it is therefore important to define the issues that should be covered and the type of questions that should be addressed by an overview such as this. Issues to consider when evaluating an area for biodiversity importance include: Biogeographic coverage Total number of species in area/species richness Degree of endemism Number of globally threatened species Importance for economically important species, including wild relatives Questions to consider when looking at the existing World Heritage List in relation to biodiversity include: e Which World Heritage sites are of particular importance for the protection/conservation of biodiversity? e What types of biodiversity richness are currently missing from World Heritage sites? e What sites might be of World Heritage quality in terms of biodiversity but are not currently listed? 3.0 What is Biodiversity? One of the first things to identify in a study such as this is to determine what is meant by the term biodiversity. It is an imprecise term contracted from ‘biological diversity’, that may be measured at genetic, species, habitat or ecosystem level. The Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biodiversity as "the variability among living organisms from which all sources including inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems themselves". Depending on the type of study, an appropriate indicator of biodiversity should be used. In many instances species is generally considered to be the most useful measure of biodiversity assessments, at local, national, regional or global levels. Common measures of species biodiversity include the following: Species richness Species richness refers to the number or count of species occurring at a given area. It is one of the easiest and most straightforward methods of measuring biodiversity. Ideally the measure consists of a complete catalogue of all the species occurring in the area under consideration. However in practice this is very difficult to achieve, due to many species being very small, and thus being difficult to identify and count in situ. Additionally in many countries of the world a high proportion of smaller species have not been scientifically named. Indeed it is estimated that 80-95% of all living species have yet to be described. Species counts may reflect the biological richness of an identified area, however they do not reflect its uniqueness or indicate the area's importance in a wider context. Endemism A species may be defined as an endemic if it is confined entirely to that area, and occurs nowhere else. Endemism may be described in a geographical context, for example endemic to a mountain peak, desert basin, river system or lake or an island. The concept of endemism generally becomes more significant as the defined area reduces in size. Assessing the number of endemic species in an area is more difficult than counting the total number of species in a given area. The former activity cannot be carried out in isolation, as it relies on having a complete knowledge of the distribution of species involved. If a World Heritage Site, or an area that is nominated as such has species that are endemic to it then the site is clearly of universal significance for that species. Threatened species A species may become threatened as a result of human activities and/or natural phenomena, the former affecting many more species. Anthropogenic threats include habitat loss, overexploitation for subsistence or commercial use and the introduction of exotic species (species that have not evolved naturaily in that environment). These species are at significant risk of extinction due to the small size of remaining populations. The most threatened species are, therefore of the highest importance for the conservation of biodiversity. This study has used species and ecosystem level indicators. 4.0 Assessment Methodology In the 1998 pilot study, potential activities were identified that could be carried out using existing information that would help to review the current pattern of World Heritage sites, and assist in the guidance of future policy. A number of datasets were chosen help identify World Heritage sites of floral and faunal biodiversity importance. These were chosen based on their availability at WCMC, to ensure that a useful project could be completed within the timeframe available. The site identification programmes and datasets that were used in the initial pilot study have been supplemented in this current study. Those datasets considered useful and subsequently used are the following: Biogeography e Udvardy Biogeographical Provinces e Baileys Ecoregions Prioritisation Programmes WWFE Global 200 Ecoregions CI Global Biodiversity Hotspots Vavilov Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity (centres of crop origin and diversity) Centres of Plant Diversity (CPD) Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) Species e Critically Endangered species e Turtle nesting sites Habitat e Coral and mangrove distribution e Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites) Using a Geographical Information System (GIS) all natural and mixed (cultural and natural) World Heritage properties (as of November 1999) were overlaid on top of the aforementioned datasets, allowing sites of biodiversity importance to be coarsely identified (Table 1). Additional tables and maps were derived from each individual dataset. Where appropriate cross-referencing using additional textual materials was also used, to provide greater value to the tables and ensure that the study was as accurate and comprehensive as possible, thus aiding in the more specific identification of World Heritage sites of biodiversity importance. Additionally this procedure has allowed for the identification of ‘gaps’ in World Heritage coverage, and thus is a coarse method of identifying priority areas that may be considered for future World Heritage nomination. The text that follows provides a brief explanation of the indicators used, and their significance in determining biodiversity importance. 5.0 Current World Heritage Sites The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (the World Heritage Convention), was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972. To date more than 150 countries have acceded to the Convention, making it one of the most universal international legal instruments for the protection of the cultural and natural heritage. The Convention’s primary mission is to define and conserve the world's heritage, by drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding values should be preserved for all humanity and to ensure their protection through a closer co-operation among nations. Sites inscribed onto the World Heritage List may be defined as of natural heritage value or cultural heritage value. Those properties that have natural and cultural values are described as mixed sites. The World Heritage list can be viewed on-line at: http://www.unesco.org/whe/nwhe/pages/doc/main.htm "Natural heritage" designates outstanding physical, biological, and geological features; habitats of threatened plants or animal species and areas of value on scientific or aesthetic grounds or from the point of view of conservation. "Cultural heritage" is a monument, group of buildings or site of historical, aesthetic, archaeological, scientific, ethnological or anthropological value. Global maps illustrating the distribution of the 150 current natural and mixed World Heritage properties (as of November 1999), at each indicator level is included in this report. This is also accompanied by a list of sites (Annex 1). 5.1 Criterion (iv) “Natural” properties submitted for inclusion in the World Heritage List are considered to be of outstanding universal value if they meet at least one of four selection criteria. Sites inscribed under criterion iv “contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation”. (See Annex 3 for additional criteria). Current properties fulfilling criterion iv (95) have been identified in this study, as they are clearly of significant biodiversity value. These sites are mapped (Map 1) and listed (Table 2) including a summary justifying their inclusion under criterion iv. 5.2 World Heritage Sites in Danger In accordance with Article 11.4 of the Convention, the World Heritage Committee “shall establish, keep up to date and publish, whenever circumstances shall so require, under the title of "list of World Heritage in Danger", a list of properties appearing on the World Heritage List for the conservation of which major operations are necessary and for which assistance has been requested under this Convention.” The list includes cultural and natural heritage properties that are threatened by serious and specific dangers such as the threat of disappearance caused by accelerated deterioration, large-scale public or private projects or rapid urban or tourist development projects; destruction caused by changes in the use or ownership of the land: major alterations due to unknown causes; abandonment for any reason whatsoever; the outbreak or the threat of an armed conflict or natural disasters. A World Heritage property may be added to the "List of World Heritage in Danger" at any time. There are currently 18 natural and mixed World Heritage sites of significant biodiversity value, that are listed as “in danger” (Table 3). What significance does this have for biodiversity? Mapped distribution of these properties (Map 2) illustrates that most sites “in danger” occur in Africa (11 out of 18), 82% of which are within the central part of the continent (Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger), an area that has experienced periods of military conflict in recent times. This suggests that inscription onto the World Heritage List does not necessarily guarantee effective stewardship or safeguard biodiversity, a consideration that should be noted when nominating potential sites. 5.3 Case Studies The 1998 pilot study identified the possibility of developing case studies using information readily available from WCMC and IUCN, to demonstrate the biodiversity value of a wide range of different types of natural World Heritage site. A number of potential locations were suggested; the case studies selected are the following (Annex 2): e Galapagos — demonstration of endemism, speciation and scientific contribution e Bwindi — demonstration of a key threatened species e Mant National Park — demonstration of high biodiversity 6.0 Biogeographical Coverage Creating a hierarchical system of geographical areas that act as a framework for cataloguing species and ecological areas to be conserved, is essentially how the concept of biogeographical provinces originates. Paragraph 8 of the World Heritage Convention operational guidelines stipulates that natural properties should be classified according to biogeographical provinces (BPs). The use of BPs for the selection of such sites is built upon a biome by biome framework originating from M.D.F. Udvardy's "A Classification of the Biogeographic Provinces of the World" (1975), a hierarchical biogeographic classification system for all terrestrial and freshwater areas of the world. Areas similar in type can be found at similar latitudinal and continental locations. Biogeographical provinces and ecoregions have a great significance with regard to conservation and development of resources. By grouping areas with a structured classification, it is possible to make predictions about areas that fall in the same biogeographical area. This limits experimental conservation practises and increases ‘early warning’ signals. Knowledge of this enables the identification of under-represented provinces, and potentially the prioritisation of such areas for future World Heritage nominations. In this study Udvardy Biogeographical Provinces and Bailey’s Ecoregions have been used as ecosystem indicators of biodiversity. 6.1 Udvardy Biogeographical Provinces Using Udvardy's classification system, the world is divided into a hierarchy of Biogeographical Realms (the largest of biogeographical units that encompasses major climatic or physiographic zones) Biomes and Provinces. The following realms are recognised: Paleaearctic Realm, Nearctic Realm, Afrotropical Realm, Indomalayan Realm, Oceanian Realm, Australian Realm, Antarctican Realm, Neotropical Realm. In this study World Heritage Sites of biodiversity importance have been classified according to the biogeographical realm (Table 1) to which they belong. A map and table (Map 3 & Table 4) identifying Udvardy’s Biogeographic Provinces, and the location of natural and mixed World Heritage sites within them, also accompanies this report. A map and table (Map 4 & Table 5) illustrating Biogeographical Provinces that do not currently contain World Heritage sites has also been produced. This may be used to identify potential sites for future inscription on the World Heritage List. 6.2 Bailey’s Ecoregions As with the Udvardy classification system, Bailey’s ecoregions are large areas of a similar climatic state and vegetation type that break down into hierarchical layers. This system divides the world into domains based on climatic similarity. Domains are further subdivided into divisions using climate type as a basis. Humid temperate domain can be further subdivided into the divisions of hot continental, prairie and subtropical. Divisions are divided into provinces with the use of climax plant formations. The prairie division can be split down to prairie parkland, prairie brush-land and tall-grass prairie. Further details can be found in “Ecoregions: The Ecosystem Geography of the oceans and Continents” (Bailey, 1998). 7.0 Key Prioritisation Programme Areas 7.1 WWE Global 200 Ecoregions In an attempt to provide a geographic focus for conservation work, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), has identified 200 sites, known as the 'Global 200'. Based on a landscape approach, these are biologically outstanding ecoregions of the Earth, which are most representative of the world's biodiversity and therefore most deserving of conservation attention. By concentrating its efforts in a limited number of these key ecoregions (80% of which fall within the priority biomes), WWF aims to be able to mount more comprehensive conservation programmes at an ecologically appropriate scale and thereby increase its long- term impact on saving the Earth's biodiversity. Further details of the Global 200 are available on-line at: http://www.panda.org/resources/publications/sustainability/priorities/priorities.htm Maps identifying natural and mixed World Heritage sites within these ecoregions accompany this report (Map 5, 6 & 7). Ecoregions that do not currently contain World Heritage sites have also been mapped (Map 8). 7.2 Centres of Plant Diversity (CPD) Concern about the rapid loss and degeneration of natural ecosystems and the urgent need to highlight the areas of prime botanical importance, hotspots, was the rational behind identifying Centres of Plant Diversity (CPD), a project undertaken by WWF and IUCN in 1994. CPDs are concerned with first order sites that are of global botanical importance. Such areas are species rich, even if the number of species may not be accurately known, and/or is known to contain a large number of endemic species. CPDS must have one or both of these two characteristics. The sites are also likely to contain: an important genepool of plants of value to humans or that are potentially useful a diverse range of habitat types a significant proportion of species adapted to special edaphic conditions or the site is threatened or under imminent threat of large-scale devastation “Centres of Plant Diversity” provides accounts of almost 250 major sites for conservation of plant diversity globally. Information provided includes patterns of plant distributions, threats and conservation efforts. These sites have been identified using factors such as floristic statistics, alongside inputs from experts familiar with particular geographical areas. These publications can be obtained from IUCN and the data (currently only for part of Volume 3: The Americas) can be accessed on the Internet at: http://nmnhwww.si.edu/botany/projects/centres/menutemp.html A map (Map 9) and list (Table 6), showing the distribution of CPDs containing World Heritage sites accompanies this report. CPDs without World Heritage sites are also identified (Map 9 & Table 5). 7.3 Conservation International — Biodiversity Hotspots The distribution of biodiversity around the globe is uneven, with some areas having far greater concentrations of living creatures than others. In an attempt to highlight those biologically rich areas that are under the greatest threat of destruction, Conservation International (CI) has created the concept of “biodiversity hotspots”. Twenty-five priority hotspots have been identified, representing a variety of global ecosystems. Selection of these hotspots was based on three criteria: the number of species present, the number of endemic species in an ecosystem and the degree of threat faced. Hotspot areas cover less than 2% of global terrestrial ecosystems, yet account for 44% of all vascular plant species and 38% of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibian vertebrate groups. A concept first created by British ecologist Norman Myers, the identification of hotspots is one method of prioritising and targeting conservation activities and investments to have the greatest impact. The concept has been used by Conservation International and others to develop conservation strategies and to focus conservation activities. The 25 global biodiversity hotspots are located in: Tropical Andes Mediterranean region Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Mesoamerica Caribbean Indo-Burma Brazil’s Atlantic Forest Region Philippines South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region Mountains of south-central China Sundaland (in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam) Brazil’s Cerrado Southwestern Australia Polynesia and Micronesia Island complex, including Hawaii New Caledonia Western Ghats of India and the island of Sri Lanka Darién and Choco regions of Panama and Colombia, and Western Ecuador California Floristic Province (extending from southern Oregon to the northern part of Baja California) Africa’s western cape/succulent karoo New Zealand Central Chile Guinean forests of West Africa Caucasus Eastern Arc Mountains and coastal forests of Tanzania and Kenya Wallacea (Eastern Indonesia) A map showing the distribution of CI biodiversity hotspots containing World Heritage sites accompanies this report (Map 10). CI hotspots without World Heritage sites are also mapped (Map 11). 7.4 Vavilov Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity Russian botanist N.I. Vavilov (1887 - 1943) was known for undertaking systematic plant collection, pioneering research, and for the conservation of crop diversity in the early 20th century. However he became most widely associated with the identification of 12 major geographic regions, that contain highly diverse crop genetic resources. Known as “Vavilov Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity”, these centres are believed to be where key cultural plants such as wheat, coffee and maize originate in wild form. They are found in geographical regions such as the Mediterranean, the Mexican highlands, Central China, and the Northern Andes, areas that are characterised by a long agricultural history, ecological diversity, mountainous terrain, cultural diversity, and a lack of heavy forest cover. These centres may or may not be located where a crop was first domesticated; wheat and barley were domesticated in south-west Asia, but a current centre of their varietal diversity is in Ethiopia; the tomato originated in north-west Peru, but the greatest domestic varietal diversity is in Mexico. Here these cultivated plants exist in wild form with a high level of genetic variation, and subsequently have a high adaptation and surviving ability. As more and more land is used for agriculture and development, wild plants and Vavilov centres are increasingly threatened with extinction. Since cultural plants are based on very few variants, wild plants are essential to maintain and preserve the heritage of genetic variation. A map (Map 12) and list (Table 8), showing the distribution of Vavilov Centres containing World Heritage sites accompanies this report. Vavilov Centres without World Heritage sites are also mapped (Map 13). 7.5 Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) are hotspots of restricted-range species with a breeding range less than 50,000 km?. These species are under threat due to high vulnerability to pressures such as destruction of habitat, and therefore are of high importance to the conservation of biodiversity. An EBA encompasses the ranges (part or whole) of at least two endemic restricted-range birds. EBAs have been identified at a global level through the work of the Birdlife Biodiversity Project by Birdlife International. All EBA’s are given a priority rating of High, Urgent or Critical, depending on the biological value and current threat to the site. The biological importance of a site is measured by the number of restricted-range species occurring in an EBA and whether they are shared with other EBAs. Additionally, the size of the EBA is also a factor. The current threat level was assessed on the percentage of the restricted-range species in each EBA that are threatened and the categories of these species. The combination of the aforementioned criteria resulted in an overall priority rating. Many natural World Heritage properties (71 of 150) were contained within EBAs, consequently it was thought useful to note the ranking system to allow further prioritisation of these sites. Further details concerning EBAs can be found in “Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for their conservation” (Stattersfield et al., 1998). A map (Map 14) and list (Table 9), showing the distribution of EBAs containing World Heritage sites accompanies this report. EBAs without World Heritage sites are also mapped (Map 10) and listed (Tables 10 & 11). 8.0 Key Areas for Identified Species 8.1 Critically Endangered Taxa The 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on species that have been evaluated using the IUCN Red List categories. This system is designed to determine relative risk of extinction. Its main purpose is to catalogue the species that are regarded as threatened at a global level. “Critically Endangered” taxa are those facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. These species have low population numbers and are often restricted to small geographical areas. Using the UNEP-WCMC Species Conservation Database (SCD), critically endangered vertebrates were identified on a country-by-country basis. Map and literature based species distribution records were then used to determine which taxa fell within natural World Heritage properties. The 1996 Red List can be obtained from IUCN, data can be accessed on-line at: http://www.wemce.org.uk/species/animals/animal redlist.html. An updated edition of this publication will be available by the end of 2000. A map (Map 16) and list (Table 12), showing the distribution of “Critically Endangered” taxa contained within World Heritage sites accompanies this report. 8.2 Marine Turtles Few reptiles are marine and the sea turtles are the most prominent of these species. This group is almost totally marine dwelling, only the females venture on to the beaches once every two to four years to lay clutches of eggs. It is generally recognised there are seven species, all are listed on the IUCN Red List and many populations have plummeted in recent years. The Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) is the least populous and listed as Critically Endangered. Around 3000 nesting females all return to one beach, Rancho Nuevo in the Gulf of Mexico, to lay their eggs. This area does not contain any World Heritage sites. The hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) is also listed as Critically Endangered. Numbers of this species are low mainly, primarily due to commercial trade in tortoiseshell. Many World Heritage sites contain nesting sites such as Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles and Ujung Kulon, Indonesia. The species can be found at feeding grounds within some marine sites such as the Great Barrier Reef, Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, Philippines and Belize Barrier-Reef Reserve System. The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the largest of the species which can measure around two metres in length, is listed as Endangered. This species is also found globally but many populations have plummeted in recent years (to an estimated global total of 34,000 in 1996), leaving the population in the Pacific Ocean close to extinction. The most important rookeries for this species are on the northern coast of French Guiana and Suriname. Serious declines have affected populations on the Pacific coast of Mexico and Terengganu, Malaysia. There are currently no natural World Heritage sites in these areas. The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), which is also classed as Endangered can be found globally. It is estimated that around 30-40% of the world population nests on the south-east coast of the USA. Although no World Heritage sites are found here, one is present in the Everglades National Park, Florida that harbours also a nesting population of loggerheads. The olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is very similar in size and colour to the Kemp’s ridley. Two of the main nesting sites are Escobilla, Mexico and along the beaches of Orissa, India. The Pacific population in Mexico has survived a huge loss of individuals but is making a recovery largely due to intensive conservation programmes. Those in Orissa are endangered by fishing practises of the nearby fleets. There are no World Heritage sites in these areas. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is another species with a global distribution and listed as Endangered. Rookeries important for the species include Raine Island, Yemen and Sumatra. There are currently no World Heritage sites in these areas. The flatback (Natator depressus) can be found in the coastal waters of Australia. The distribution of the species includes three World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef, Shark Bay and Kakadu National Park. This is the species of least concern; it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. There are no World Heritage sites covering the larger turtle nesting beaches. With the exception of the Kemp’s Ridley, smaller rookeries can be found within many sites containing a beach element. A map (Map 17) showing the distribution of marine turtle nesting sites within World Heritage properties (15) accompanies this report. 9.0 Key Habitat Areas 9.1 Ramsar sites The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention, 1971) is an intergovernmental treaty that aims to provide a framework for conservation and use of wetland sites of international importance. The mission statement declares: “The Convention’s mission is the conservation and wise use of wetlands by national action and international co-operation as a means to achieving sustainable development throughout the world.” The Convention has been ratified by 122 Parties. Currently 1,029 wetland sites are included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, totalling 78.2 million hectares. These sites are important for biodiversity, particularly as many provide habitat for a large variety of wetland birds. Key documents relating to the convention, its implementation and a list of current Ramsar sites can be accessed on-line at: http://www.ramsar.org/index_key_docs.htm#conv A list and description (Table 13), showing the distribution of Ramsar sites containing World Heritage properties accompanies this report. 9.2 Marine Biodiversity Much of this report has focused on terrestrial ecosystems and measures of biodiversity, however the marine environment, which comprises 71% of the earth’s surface and averages approximately 3.8km in depth, is also of significant biodiversity value. Although species diversity is low, there is a much greater range of phyla and classes than terrestrial equivalents, some with representatives found only within the marine environment. With approximately six out of ten people inhabiting coastal areas and the many oceans being exploited for food, energy, minerals and natural resources. The importance of this ecosystem cannot be underestimated. The majority of World Heritage Sites are terrestrial based, however, a few, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Australia and the Belize Barrier-Reef Reserve System are entirely marine. Many sites have coastal borders and extensions into the oceans such as Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras and Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles. 9.3 Coral Reefs and Mangroves Marine sites containing coral and mangrove ecosystems are also in danger of degradation, primarily due to overexploitation. Coral reefs have been compared to terrestrial rainforest ecosystems in the amount of diversity that exists and productivity. Coral itself is a living structure of the phylum Cnidaria and can be split into reef building and non-reef building groups. Coral reefs are the calcium carbonate structures produced by those reef-building corals. Geographical spread of these structures is essentially confined to between 30°N and 30°S. In recent years coral reefs have been declining mainly due to human impacts such as coastal development, dredging and destructive fishing practises including the uses of dynamite and cyanide. 11 The current marine World Heritage sites are based on large coral reef systems. The Great Barrier Reef and the Belize Barrier Reef are the two largest barrier reefs in the world. The reef and associated fauna is also protected at Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in the Philippines. The Philippines is host to around 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral and the Great Barrier Reef around 1,500 species of fish and 350 species of coral. Other sites include coral reefs within the boundaries of more terrestrial parks such as Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. Coral reefs can be found globally but the reefs surrounding 6 countries account for more than 50% of the total cover. In Australia this is represented by the Great Barrier Reef and to a smaller extent Shark Bay, Western Australia and the Lord Howe Island Group. Important sites in Indonesia are represented by Ujung Kulon National Park and Komodo National Park. There are no natural World Heritage Sites in Papua New Guinea, Fiji or the Maldives. Mangroves are shrubs and trees that live in the intertidal zone. These are represented by 69 taxa, which although have a wider distribution than the coral reefs, are also restricted to 30°N and 30°S. Mangrove communities are less diverse than reef systems, but are unique in their ability to provide habitat for marine and terrestrial species alike. In addition, they are important in the stabilisation of shorelines and their protection from coastal storms. It has been estimated that over 50% of the world’s mangrove forests have already been lost, due to natural and human causes, such as the clearance trees for shrimp farms. The most species rich mangrove communities are distributed in the Indo-Pacific. This diversity can be seen in World Heritage sites such as, Kakadu National Park and to a lesser extent Shark Bay, Western Australia and Komodo National Park, Indonesia. The Sundarbans, India and Bangladesh are an important remaining site of mangrove diversity. There are no sites containing mangroves in Papua New Guinea, the Philippines or Malaysia. A map (Map 18) illustrating the distribution of mangroves and coral reefs within World Heritage sites accompanies this report. 10. 0 Key Findings There are currently 150 natural and mixed (cultural and natural) properties inscribed on the World Heritage list. Using these identified criteria, a coarse GIS analysis was undertaken to determine those natural and mixed World Heritage sites that are of particular importance for biodiversity. Table | summarises this information on a site-by-site basis. Further breakdown of this information at criteria level is contained in the “Tables” section of this report. In summary a total of 141 sites have been identified as being of particular importance for biodiversity in this study. These are represented within 64 countries and extend over 142 million ha of protected areas. e Criterion (iv) — 95 sites e Udvardy Biogeographical Provinces 96 provinces currently contain | or more natural or mixed World Heritage sites. Provinces best represented include the following: Mediterreanan Sclerophyll — 9 sites Oriental Deciduous Forest — 7 sites East African Woodland/Savannah — 7 sites West African Woodland/Savannah — 6 sites 12 e WWE Global 200 104 sites located in terrestrial ecoregions 35 sites located in marine ecoregions 55 located in freshwater ecoregions It should be noted that some World Heritage sites occur in more than one of these ecoregions e Centre of Plant Diversity - 74 sites e Conservation International biodiversity hotspot — 57 sites e Vavilov Centre of Plant Genetic Diversity - 40 e Endemic Bird Areas - 71 sites (ordered by a priority rating dependent on a combination of biological importance and current threat level). e Contains “critically endangered” vertebrate taxa — 60 sites e Ramsar site — 16 sites e An area of marine importance (classed as one indicator): Contains coral reefs — 14 sites Contains mangroves — 18 sites Contains turtle nesting beaches — 15 sites In total 6 out of 141 sites contained 8 of the 9 criteria listed above. No natural or mixed World Heritage properties contained all 9 of these indicators. The use of Biogeographical and key global prioritisation tools (such as WWF Ecoregions), suggest that terrestrial ecosystems are better represented within the World Heritage List as compared to marine and wetland environments. 11. 0 Possible Future World Heritage Sites Using the indicators that have been used to identify natural and mixed World Heritage properties of biodiversity importance, “gaps” in coverage have been identified. At an indicator-by-indicator level these can be summarised as: e Centres of Plant Diversity 421 Regional CPDs have been identified as not currently containing World Heritage Sites (Table 7). e Conservation International biodiversity hotspots 5 hotspot areas currently contain no natural World Heritage Sites. These are: New Caledonia Succulent Karoo Brazilian Cerrado Central Chile Cape Floristic Region It should be noted that the Cape Floristic Region was nominated for inscription onto the World Heritage List in January 2000. e Vavilov Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity 13 There are 4 principal areas currently containing no natural World Heritage Sites. These areas do not have names, however the countries in which they occur and the principal crops originating in these areas are summarised below: Chile - potato Brazil — cassava, cocoa, yam Turkey Iraq Iran — barley, wheat, rye, cabbage Mexico Guatemala — beans, cotton seed, maize, cassava e Endemic Bird Areas 153 Endemic Bird Areas have been identified as not containing World Heritage Sites (Table 10). These sites are ranked according to priority. 56 EBAs are considered to be Critical, and thus could have even greater priority of future nomination (Table 11). Using the same approach as that used to determine World Heritage sites of particular importance for biodiversity, a method of identifying existing protected areas that are of significant biodiversity value and thus could be nominated for future inclusion in the World Heritage list, was undertaken. Protected areas were ranked according to the number of biologically important indicator categories they fell within, in an attempt to prioritise possible future sites. A total of 93 sites were identified (Table 14). Criteria used included: WWF Global 200 ecoregions, Centres of Plant Diversity, Vavilov centres, the occurrence of “Critically Endangered” vertebrate taxa, or sites of marine importance. Sites with the highest rank (5) are shown in Table 12. Interestingly, Mount Kinabalu National Park (Malaysia) was nominated for inscription onto the list in January 2000. In an attempt to take this approach a step further, a coarse GIS analysis was undertaken to identify existing Ramsar sites, which are not currently World Heritage sites and are considered important for biodiversity (Table 15). These sites are biologically significant and are well established protected areas, they could therefore potentially be considered even more appropriate for future World Heritage nomination. To prioritise these sites still further they were ranked according to the number of biodiversity indicator categories they occurred in. The two sites with the highest ranking (fell within 4 out of 6 categories) were: e Cobourg Peninsula (Australia) e Ord River floodplain (Australia) 12.0 Limitations of the Study It is recognised that the use of broad global ecosystem datasets such as WWE Global 200, CPD, CI Biodiversity Hotspots and Vavilov Centres is a relatively broadbrush approach to take. However including other more specific biodiversity criteria has added extra strength and depth to the identification of World Heritage sites of significant biodiversity value. It is also acknowledged that the methodology used for the analysis is relatively coarse, however it is one method of identifying and prioritising sites of high biodiversity value, that are or could merit inscription on the World Heritage List. Cross checking the occurrence of biologically important and threatened species within existing World Heritage sites with management authorities and field staff, would enable greater accuracy in determining whether the approach used is indeed valid. However this was not within the scope of the project. 13.0 Conclusions and Recommendations for Future Work This global overview of World Heritage sites that are of particular importance for biodiversity suggests that while terrestrial ecosystems are well represented, wetland and marine ecosystems are not. Further work is required to identify more comprehensively, potential marine and wetland sites that may merit future inscription to the World Heritage List. Proposed activities for a future report include: > The integration of Conservation International (CI) biodiversity ‘hotspot’ data, to aid prioritisation of potential natural World Heritage sites still further. The extension of the threatened taxa dataset to those species considered “Endangered”. Further analysis of the distribution of current natural and mixed World Heritage sites by Udvardy Biogeographical Province and Bailey’s Ecoregion, including their proportional representation (km? or ha). Additional case studies illustrating World Heritage sites of specific biodiversity value. Existing and future case studies could also be accompanied by maps of each site. Provide an updated, detailed table on biodiversity values of all World Heritage properties on a site-by-site basis. The identification of which types of biodiversity richness are currently missing from World Heritage sites. The provision of additional text and analysis to be made on the use of marine data, as a separate document. 15 REFERENCES Anon. 1994. The Bwindi-Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Gorilla Conservation News 8: 19-20 Arinaitwe, H., Pomeroy, D., Tushabe, H. 2000. The State of Uganda’s Biodiversity. National Biodiversity Data Bank. Bailey, R.G. 1983. Delineation of Ecosystem Regions. Environmental Management 7: 365- 373 Bailey, R.G. 1998. Ecoregions. Springer-Verlag, New York. 176+ix Bailey, R.G and Hogg, H.C. 1986. A World Ecoregions Map for Resource Reporting. Environmental Conservation 13: 195-202 Elder, D., Pernetta, J. (Eds). 1991. Oceans. Mitchell Beazley. European Commission Phare Programme. 1999. Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forests in Central and Eastern European Countries. European Commission Phare Programme, Brussels. 79pp Esping, L.E. 1998. Potential Natural World Heritage Sites in Europe. Stockholm, Sweden. 78pp Gaston, K.J. (Ed). 1996. Biodiversity: A Biology of Numbers and Difference. Blackwell Science, Oxford. 396pp Groombridge, B. and Jenkins, M.D. 2000. Global Biodiversity: Earth’s living resources in the 21" century. World Conservation Press, Cambridge, UK. Hagedorn, M and Keller, C. 1997. Species Diversity of Gymnotiform Fishes in Mani Bioreserve, Pakitza, Pert. In: Wilson, D and Sandoval, A. (Eds) Biodiversity of Manu Park. IUCN. 1996. 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. YUCN, Gland, Switzerland. IUCN. 1997. A Global Overview of Forest Protected Areas on the World Heritage List. Gland, Switzerland. Saavedra, C and Suarez de Freitas, G. 1989. Manu — two decades later. WWF Report June/July. WWF, Gland, Switzerland. 6-9pp Serra-Vega, J. 1990. La Reserva de la Biosfera del Manu . Unpublished. Spalding, M.D., Blasco, F. and Field, C.D. (Eds). 1997. World Mangrove Atlas. The International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, Okinawa, Japan. 178pp Stattersfield, A.J., Crosby, M.J., Long, A.J. and D.L.Wege. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for their conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. 846pp World Conservation Monitoring Centre. 1992. Global Biodiversity: Status of the Earth's living resources. Chapman & Hall, London. 594pp World Conservation Monitoring Centre. (Comp.), Groombridge, B. (Ed). 1994. Biodiversity Data Sourcebook. World Conservation Press, Cambridge, UK. 155pp World Conservation Monitoring Centre. 1996. The Diversity of the Seas: a regional approach. Groombridge, B. and Jenkins, M.D. (Eds). World Conservation Press, Cambridge, UK. 132pp. World Conservation Monitoring Centre. 2000. Global Biodiversity - Earth's Living Resources in the 21" century. By: Groombridge, B. and Jenkins, M.D. World Conservation Press, Cambridge, UK. WCMC/IUCN. 1998. A Global Overview of Protected Areas on the World Heritage List of Particular Importance for Biodiversity. World Heritage Website: http://www.unesco.org/whc/nwhc/pages/sites/main.htm WWE and IUCN. 1994. Centres of Plant Diversity. A Guide and Strategy for their Conservation. 3 volumes. IUCN Publications Unit, Cambridge, UK. Udvardy, M.D.F. 1975. A Classification of the Biogeographical Provinces of the World. IUCN Occasional Paper No. 18. IUCN, Morges, Switzerland. 41 pp. TABLES The tables that follow provide a summary of World Heritage sites of particular biodiversity importance. yieg jeuonen, ON ON| ON ON| SAHA] £861 VSN} sureyunoyy Ayourg yeo1H | ON] sda] ON! | ON] ON] ON! ost Saal saat saAl sel] van jue [evOTEN sepeysiong] ————_—anama| ON| ON] SaA[ sosi[_vsn[___Sanep pegs] _————anarean| wed /onf on on on} 0 on ONT ONT ONT ON] SK] az] wp S{EZaTE MONE NTULELEN | Raaeeeees oHOTEON| PONT ONT ON ON 0 SON SON ON TN Se Sea GT | LE | EEN [ON] ONT ON ON TON ON RON RECN [ATONE 84 EELS) ee BXB], padasuepugq aan} saorwsuvyl| [es0D} Avsurey AOTIABA, Vaal IO] ddd] AMM| JRA Ayunod ONG WSBILIOFT PLO n ea > n ea) n ea) Pal n aa Al[BIVIID JO ‘ON ~ Ayis19A1p 139098 JULI Jo sa.Udd AOTIALA Z] OY} JO 9UO UTYIM s][ey sue ISIT HA\ 2} UO AT UOLIO}IIO [eNyeu JopuN pojsl'T Bal pile o1WapU va ISIOAIPOIG [CUOIVUIOJU] UOIJRAIOSUOD ISIOAIG JUL] q JO aUdD dys Bulsou 9]1IN} BAS SOAOISULII dAOISURJA] dS UONUSAUOD IesUeY (9661) ISI'T POY NONI ou} uo posasuepue A]eong Iesuey exe], polosuepug AT[eonls Jo ‘ON uolsa100q 00Z 12A0ID AMM. 9148} 0} Aoy AJISADAIPOIG 10F 9dULIIOd UT AL[NIZAA1Vd JO SazIs 9SUILIIFT PAO AA POXIU pue [eINjJEN “T equ] leg JUSWIUOTIAUA = a ; A i [eol0}sty pue yeinyjno ON ON ON ON SHA} ON} ON| ON SHA] 6L6l S} YUM norBou PHYO [ on} on] on] on] 1 | _SaA[On]_ON| ON] SaAI SAI 66H ol wf os | ll al eins | BOIV }SO1OJU] 9110}SIH [ on} nf on[ on] «| SA Sax] on on| Sa4[ saat 6601 [ on} on[ nf on] 0 | Sa] ON] ON] ON| ON] ONT cai Ton} on] nf on] 0 | SA] Saal Saal ON] ON] Sax[ Oost] eu] [anf o_o ef! _._}_ at saat ant 2 BOTY SoJ9}JU] SIIO}STH pure [on[ on on Saal ON SON ON] ONT ONT Eo | ONt ONT ONT ONT SAT ONT ON] ON] SHA! 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This site, comprising several protected areas, is located predominantly along the Great Escarpment on Australia's East Coast. The outstanding geological features displayed around shield volcanic craters and the high number of rare and threatened rainforest species are of international significance for science and conservation. Great Barrier Reef ‘Australia A site of remarkable variety and beauty on the northeastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef contains the world's largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great scientific interest, as the habitat of species, such as the dugong and the green turtle, which are threatened with extinction. Kakadu Australia A unique example of a complex of ecosystems, including tidal flats, floodplains, lowlands and plateau, providing habitat for a wide range of rare or endemic species of plants and Central Eastern Australia Australian Rainforest animals. Lord Howe Island Australia A remarkable example of isolated oceanic islands, born of Group volcanic activity more than 2,000 metres under the sea. These islands boast a spectacular topography and protect numerous endemic species, especially birds. Shark Bay, Western Australia Shark Bay, with its islands and surrounding land has three Australia exceptional natural features: its vast marine herbariums, which are the largest (4,800 square kilometres) and richest in the world, its dugong (‘sea cow’) population, and its stromatolites (colonies of algae which grow up alongside the mounds are among the oldest forms of life on earth). Shark Bay also shelters five species of endangered mammals. Covering an area of over 1 million ha, the site constitutes one of the last expanses of temperate rainforest in the world. Wet tropics of Australia The area, located in the far northeast of Australia, is made up Queensland largely of tropical humid forests. This biotope offers a particularly extensive and varied array of plants, as well as marsupials and singing birds, along with other rare and endangered animals and plant species. The Sundarbans Bangladesh The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world, is formed at the delta of the Ganges, Bramaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. The site is composed of three sanctuaries (Sundarbans West, South, and East) with a total area of 140,000 hectares. The three sanctuaries, intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mud flats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, present an excellent example of on- going ecological processes, displaying the effects of monsoon rains, delta formation, tidal influence and plant colonization. The area is known for its wide range of fauna including 260 bird species, the Royal Bengal tiger and other threatened species, such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python. Site Country Description Belize Barrier-Reef Belize The coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system Reserve System consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. The seven sites included in this nomination illustrate the evolutionary history of reef development, provide spectacular underwater scenery, and are a significant habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatee, and the American marine crocodile. [Discovery Coast Brazil I The site contains a distinct range of species with a high level Atlantic Forest of endemism and reveals a pattern of evolution of great Reserves interest to science and of importance for conservation. The site displays the biological richness and evolutionary history of the few remaining areas of Atlantic forest of north-east Brazil. The fact that only these few scattered remnants of a once vast forest remain, make them an irreplaceable part of the world's forest heritage. Iguazu National Park /Brazil Some 80m high and 2,700m in diameter, on a basaltic line | spanning the border between Argentina and Brazil, the waterfall located in the heart of this site is one of the most spectacular in the world. Made up of many cascades producing vast sprays of water and surrounded by sub-tropical rainforest with over 2,000 species of vascular plants, it is home to typical wildlife of the region: tapirs, giant anteaters, howling monkeys, ocelots, jaguars, caymans. South-East Reserves The Atlantic Forests Brazil The Atlantic Forests (Southeast) contain the best and largest remaining examples of Atlantic forest in the south-east region of Brazil. The 25 protected areas that make up the site display the biological richness and evolutionary history of the few remaining areas of Atlantic forest of south-east Brazil. The area is also exceptionally diverse with high numbers of rare and endemic species. Reserve Srebarna Nature _— The Srebarna Nature Reserve is a fresh-water lake supplied by the Danube river, extending over 600 ha. The site is the breeding ground of approximately 100 bird species, many of which are internationally threatened. Some 80 other bird species migrate here annually. Dja Faunal Reserve Cameroon This is one of the largest and best protected humid forests in Africa. Almost completely surrounded by the Dja River, which forms its natural boundary, the reserve is especially Park Wood Buffalo zal Canada noted for its biodiversity and a wide variety of primates. | Located in the plains in the north-central region of Canada, this park houses the largest population of wild bison in North America and is the natural nesting place of the whooping crane. The largest inland delta in the world, the one of the rivers Peace and Athabasca, is one of the natural attractions of the park. Alsek/Kluane/Wrangell -St Elias/Glacier Bay Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park Tatshenshini- seem These parks comprise an impressive complex of glaciers and high peaks on either side of the frontier between Canada and the United States of America (Alaska). These spectacular natural landscapes are home to many grizzly bears, caribou and Dall sheep. Central African |The importance of this park rests with its wealth of flora and fauna. Its vast savannahs provide shelter for a wide variety of species: black rhinoceroses, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, red- fronted gazelles and buffaloes, while different types of waterfowl are to be found in the northern flood- plains. Description Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area Mount Wuyi Biologically, the area supports a high diversity of plant and animal species including a number of endemic and globally threatened species. 3,200 plant species in 242 families have been recorded, of which 31 are under national protection, representing approximately one third of the total number of plants in the Sichuan province and one tenth of those found in China. 2,300 animal species have been recorded of which 29 are under national protection, 157 species being threatened or endemic animals to China. The area has what is probably the largest and best-preserved area humid subtropical native forest in the world. Of particular importance is the very high levels of biodiversity and the significant number of threatened species Los Katios Colombia Extending over 72,000 hectares in north-western Colombia, Los Katios National Park comprises low hills, forests and humid plains. An exceptional biological diversity can be found in the park, which is home to many threatened animal species, as well as many endemic plants. Cocos Island National |Costa Rica Park Cocos Island National Park, located 550 km off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a humid tropical forest. Its position as the first point of contact with the northern equatorial counter current and the of interactions between the island and the surrounding marine ecosystem make the area an ideal laboratory for the study of biological processes. Marine area of the national park is one of the best places in the world to view large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins. The Area de Conservacion Guanacaste Costa Rica The Area de Conservacion Guanacaste contains important natural habitats for the conservation of biological diversity, including the best dry forest habitats and communities from Central America to northern Mexico and key habitat for threatened or rare plant and animal species. The site demonstrates significant ecological processes in both its terrestrial and marine-coastal environments. These processes include: the evolution, succession and restoration of Pacific Tropical Dry Forest; altitudinal migration and other interactive biogeographic and ecological processes and major upwelling and the development of coral colonies and reefs. Comoé National Park |Cote d'Ivoire One of the largest protected areas in West Africa, this park is characterised by very great plant diversity. Due to the presence of the Comoé River, it contains plants that are normally only found much farther south, such as shrub savannahs and patches of thick rain forest. Tai National Park Céte d'Ivoire This park is one of the last important remnants of the primary tropical forest of West Africa. Its rich natural flora, and threatened mammal species, such as the pygmy hippopotamus and eleven species of monkey, are of great scientific interest. Céte d'Ivoire /Guinea Mount Nimba Reserves Garamba National Park |Democratic Rep. Located between Guinea and Céte d'Ivoire, Mount Nimba rises above the surrounding savannah. Its slopes, covered by dense forest at the foot of grassy mountain pastures, harbour an especially rich flora and fauna, with endemic species such as the viviparous toad and chimpanzees that use stones as tools. Immense savannahs, grasslands or woodlands, interspersed with gallery forests along the river banks and swampy depressions, protect four large mammals: the elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus and white rhinoceros of which some 30 individuals remain. Site Country Description [Kahuzi-Biega National |Democratic Rep. |A vast area of primary tropical forest dominated bytwo Park Of Congo spectacular extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega, the park is populated with a diverse and abundant fauna. One of the last groups of mountain gorillas lives between 2,100 and 2,400 metres above sea level. Okapi Faunal Reserve |Democratic Rep. |The Okapi Wildlife Reserve occupies one fifth of the Ituri Of Congo Forest in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Zaire River basin, of which the reserve and forest are a part, is one of the largest drainage systems in Africa and has yielded a large number of major evolutionary discoveries. The wildlife reserve contains threatened species of primates and birds and about 5,000 of the estimated 30,000 okapi surviving in the wild. The reserve also contains dramatic scenic values including waterfalls on the Ituri and Epulu rivers. Virunga National Park |Democratic Rep. |The park of Virunga offers within its 790,000 ha an of Congo incomparable diversity of habitats: from swamps and steppes to the snowfields of Rwenzori at an altitude of over 5,000 m, and from the lava plains to the savannahs on the slopes of the volcanoes. Some 20,000 hippopotamuses live in its rivers, mountain gorillas refuge there and birds from Siberia winter there. Morne Trois Pitons Dominica Luxuriant natural tropical forest blends with volcanic features National Park of high scenic appeal and scientific interest in this national park centered on the 1,342 m high volcano bearing the name of Morne Trois Pitons. With its precipitous slopes and deeply- incised valleys, fifty fumaroles and hot springs, freshwater lakes, a "boiling lake" and five volcanoes, located on the nearly 7,000-hectare park, together with the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles, Morne Trois Pitons National Park presents a rare combination of natural features of World Heritage value. Galapagos Islands Ecuador These volcanic islands have been called a unique "living museum and showcase of evolution". One-third of the island chain's vascular land plants are endemic, while endemic fauna includes invertebrate, reptile and bird species. The presence of unusual animal life - such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise, and the many types of finches - inspired Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution, following his visit there in 1835. Sangay National Park is considered to have an extremely complex ecological composition and has received the highest resource analysis rating of any park in Ecuador. Its natural regions, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, physiographic formations, geology, history and other unique characteristics make it the most outstanding protected area in mainland Ecuador. Important indigenous species occurring in the park include the mountain tapir and the Andean condor. The park is valued particularly for its flora and fauna, which, due to extreme topography and altitudinal range, remain relatively intact. The park is the refuge for threatened animals such as gelada baboon, Simen fox and Walia ibex, a goat species endemic to the Simien Mountains. The nature reserve, part of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, occupies the Scandola peninsula, an impressive porphyritic rock mass. Its vegetation is a good example of scrubland. Seagulls, cormorants and sea eagles can be found there. The clear waters, with the islets and inaccessible caves, host a rich marine life. Sangay National Park {Ecuador Simien National Park _|Eithiopia Cape Girolata, Cape Porto & Scandola Nature Reserves in Corsica site [Country _ [Description Tikal National Park Guatemala Together with Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, Tika is the most important reserve in the country, because of its archaeological and bio/ecological interest. Rivers, lakes, swamps and flooding savanna ecosystems are important for biodiversity and migratory birds. The reserve contains the largest area of tropical rain forest in Guatemala and Central America, with a wide range of unspoilt natural habitats. A considerable number of threatened and CITES listed species are also found within the reserve. Rio Platano Biosphere |Hondouras Located in the watershed of the Rio Platano , the mountainous reserve, is one of the few remains of a humid tropical forest in Central America and contains abundant and varied plant- and wildlife. Kaziranga National India In the heart of the Assam, this park is one of the last areas in Park northern India undisturbed by man. It harbours largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses in the world, as well many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers, bears, and thousands of bird species. Keoladeo National Park|India A former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas, this site remains one of the major wintering areas for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia. Some 364 species of birds, including the rare Siberian crane, have been recorded in the park. Manas Wildlife India On a gentle slope in the foothills of the Himalayas, where Sanctuary wooded hills give way to alluvial grasslands and tropical forests, the Manas sanctuary is home to a great variety of wildlife, including many endangered species, such as the tiger, the pygmy hog, and the Indian rhinoceros and elephant. The Nanda Devi National Park is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the Himalayas, and is dominated by the peak of Nanda Devi, which reaches over 7,800 metres. No humans live in the park, which has remained more or less intact because of its inaccessibility. It is the habitat of several endangered mammals, including the snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer and bharal. The Sundarbans India The Sundarbans cover 10,000 km? of land and water in the Ganges delta. Occurring in India and Bangladesh, the site contains the world's largest region of mangrove forests, with 36 true mangrove, 28 associated and seven obligatory mangrove species representing 29 families and 49 genera. Apart from being the only mangrove forest in the world inhabited by the tiger, the Sundarbans contains a rich and unique biota, with a notable number of threatened reptiles. Komodo National Park |Indonesia These volcanic islands are inhabited by a population of around 5,700 giant lizards, whose appearance and aggressive behaviour have led them to be called "Komodo dragons". They exist nowhere else and are of great interest for scientists studying the theory of evolution. The rugged hillsides of dry savannah and pockets of thorny green vegetation contrast starkly with the brilliant white sandy beaches and blue waters surging over coral. The largest protected area in Southeast Asia (2.5 million ha). It is the only protected area in the world which incorporates a continuous, intact transect from snow cap to tropical marine environment, including extensive lowland wetlands. The area supports the highest level of biodiversity in the region. It also contains fossil sites which record the evolution of life on New Guinea. Nanda Devi National _|India Park Lorentz National Park |Indonesia Site Count: Description Ujung Kulon National |Indonesia This national park, located in the extreme south-west tip of Park and Krakatan Java on the Sunda Shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon peninsula National Reserve and several offshore islands, and encompasses the natural reserve of Krakatoa. In addition to its natural beauty and geological interest - especially for the study of inland volcanoes - it contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in the Java plain. Mount Kenya, 5,199 m, is the second highest peak in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano, during whose period of activity (3.1 - 2.6 million years ago) it is thought to have risen to 6,500m. There are twelve remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. The area inscribed includes the upper slopes of the mountain, and two salients which make up the National Park and surrounding Forest Reserve. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in Eastern Africa. The evolution and ecology of its afro-alpine flora also provide an outstanding example of ecological processes. Sibiloi/Central Island |Kenya Sibiloi National Park is situated on the east shore of Lake National Parks Turkana in northern Kenya. Lake Turkana's ecosystem with its diverse bird life and desert environment offers an exceptional laboratory for studies of plant and animal communities. The lake is also one of Africa's most important breeding areas for the Nile crocodile. Tsingy de Bemaraha _|Madagascar Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is made up of Strict Nature Reserve karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive "tsingy" peaks and a "forest" of limestone needles, the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo River, rolling hills and high peaks. The undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs and Mount Kenya Kenya birds. Lake Malawi National |Malawi Located at the southern end of the immense Lake Malawi, Park with its deep and clear waters and background of mountains, Lake Malawi National Park protects many hundreds of cichlid fish species, nearly all endemic. Its importance in the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the Galapagos Islands. Banc d'Arguin National |Mauritania Fringing the Atlantic coast, the park is made up of sand dunes, coastal swamps, small islands and shallow coastal waters. The austerity of the desert and the biodiversity of the marine zone result in a land and seascape of exceptional contrasting natural value. A wide variety of migrating birds spend the winter there. Several species of sea turtle and dolphin, which fishermen use to attract shoals of fish, can also be found. Mexico Located on the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef, and provides a habitat for an abundance of fauna and flora. Located in the central part of the peninsula of Baja California, the sanctuary contains exceptionally interesting ecosystems. The coastal lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are very important reproduction and wintering sites for the grey whale, harbour seal, California sea-lion, northern elephant-seal and blue whale. The lagoons also offer shelter to four species of the endangered marine turtle. Whale Sanctuary of El |Mexico Vizcaino Site Country __[Description Royal Chitwan Nepal One of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic National Park rhinoceros lives in the park, which is also among the last refuges for the Bengal tiger. New Zealand Sub- New Zealand The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands are remarkable for Antarctic Islands their high level of biodiversity, population densities and for endemism in birds, plants and invertebrates. The bird and plant life, especially the endemic albatrosses, cormorants, landbirds and "megaherbs" are unique to the islands Te Wahipounamu- New Zealand Two-thirds of the park is covered with southern beech and South West New podocarps, some of which are over 800 years old. The kea, the Zealand only alpine parrot in the world, lives in the park, as does the rare and endangered takahe, a large flightless bird. This is the largest protected area in Africa, covering some 7.7 million hectares. The area considered as a protected sanctuary is only one- sixth of the total area. It includes the volcanic rock massif of the Air, a small Sahelian pocket, isolated as regards its climate and flora and fauna in the Saharan desert of Ténéré. The reserve boasts an outstanding variety of landscapes, plant species and wild animals. 'W' National Park Niger The portion of the "W" National Park in Niger is in a transition zone between savanna and forest lands and represents important ecosystem characteristics of the West Africa Woodlands/Savannah Biogeographical Province. The site reflects the interaction between natural resources and humans since Neolithic times. This interaction has produced characteristic landscapes and plant species and illustrates the evolution of biodiversity in this zone. The Niger River bordering the site is one of the largest rivers of Africa and an important wetland for the survival of bird species. Darién National Park |Panama Forming a bridge between the two continents of the New World, Darién National Park offers an exceptional variety of habitats - sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mangroves, swamps and lowland and upland tropical forests containing remarkable Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves wildlife. Talamanca Range-La |Panama/Costa |The entire protected area comprises the single largest natural Amistad Reserves Rica forest unit in Central America, containing several hundred endemic plant species and one of the last major refuges for threatened fauna. No other protected area complex in Central America contains as many viable populations, species, life zones, or as much altitudinal variation. The Talamanca range is estimated to harbour almost four percent of the varieties of all terrestrial species on earth. Mant National Park |Peru This immense 1.5 million-hectare park has successive tiers of vegetation rising from 150 to 4,200m above sea-level. The tropical forest in the lower tiers contains an unrivalled variety of animal and plant species. Some 850 species of birds have been identified and rare species such as the giant otter and the giant armadillo can also be found there. Jaguars are often sighted in the park. Rio Abiseo National |Peru The National Park is covered by humid forests characteristic Park of this part of the Andes. There is a high level of endemism among the fauna and flora species of this park. The yellow- tailed woolly monkey, previously thought extinct, is found only in this area. The park represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. It contains a full mountain to sea ecosystem and protects the most significant forest area within the Palawan Biogeographic Province. Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park Philippines [Site [Country Description : Tubbataha Reef Marine |Philippines Covering 33,200 hectares, including the North and South Park Reefs, this is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species. The North Islet serves as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-metre perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands. Laurisilva of Madeira {Portugal The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a (Madeira) previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest area of laurel forest surviving and is believed to be 90% primary forest, containing a unique suite of plants and animals including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long- toed pigeon. The greatest natural value of the laurisilva is its biological diversity. Nearly all its plants and animals are unique to the laurel forest. The Madeiran laurisilva is not only larger but has differences biologically from laurel forest elsewhere. Romania The waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the largest and best preserved of European deltas. The Danube Delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes. Russian The Altai region represents an important and original centre of Federation biodiversity of montane plant and animal species in northern Asia, a number of which are rare and endemic. Russian Situated in south-east Siberia, Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 Federation million years) and deepest (1,637 m) of the world's lakes. It contains 20% of the world's surface unfrozen freshwater reserve. Known as the "Galapagos of Russia", its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science. With its outstanding variety of endemic animals and plants Lake Baikal is one of the most biologically diverse lakes on earth. One of the global centres of plant diversity, the site has a great diversity of ecosystems with important endemic plant and wildlife species. It is also the place of origin and reintroduction of the mountain sub-species of the European bison. Djoudj Bird Sanctuary |Senegal Located in the Senegal River delta, this site is a wetland of 16,000 hectares, comprised of a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and backwaters which form a living but fragile sanctuary for 1.5 million birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African spoonbill, the great egret and the cormorant. Niokolo-Koba National |Senegal Located in a well-watered area, along the banks of the Gambia River, the gallery forests and savannahs of Niokolo-Koba National Park protect a very rich fauna, among them the Derby eland (largest of the antelopes), chimpanzees, lions, leopards, a large population of elephants as well as many birds, reptiles and amphibians. The site is comprised of four large coral islands which enclose a shallow lagoon; the group of islands is itself surrounded by a coral reef. Due to difficulties of access and the atoll's isolation, Aldabra has been protected from human influence and has as such become a refuge for some 152,000 giant tortoises, the world's largest population of this reptile. The reserve shelters the vestiges of a natural palm forest preserved in close to its original state. Danube Delta Golden Mountains of Altai Lake Baikal Russian Federation Western Caucasus Seychelles Seychelles Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve Site [Country _ [Description Z [Greater St. Lucia Wetland |South Africa |The five ecosystems in this National Park provide habitat for a Park significant diversity of African fauna and flora. Dojfiana National Park Notable for the great diversity of its biotopes, especially lagoons, marshlands, fixed and mobile dunes, scrub woodland and "maquis". It is home to five threatened bird species. It is one of the biggest heronries in the Mediterranean region and is the wintering site for more than 500,000 waterfowl each year. Ibiza, biodiversity and Spain The well-preserved Posidonia, threatened in most Mediterranean culture locations, contains and supports a diversity of marine life. Sinharaja Forest Reserve [Sri Lanka Sinharaja is the last viable area of primary tropical rainforest in the country. More than 60 per cent of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, the reserve is also home to 50% of the endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. Arabian Oryx Sanctuary Sultanate of |This site is noted for its viable population of Arabian Gazelle as Oman well as being a habitat for several species, such as the endangered houbara bustard, a species of wader, as a part of its highly diverse avifauna. It is one of the largest protected areas in the region and includes the only free-ranging herd of Arabian oryx in the world. The successful re-introduction of the oryx has been part of a process to rehabilitate a diverse and unique desert ecosystem. Ngorongoro Conservation |Tanzania Ngorongoro is one of the largest inactive, unbroken and Area unflooded calderas in the world. The conservation area has one of Africa'a largest wildlife conglomerations. Species include: wildebeest, buffalo, African elephant, hartebeest, spotted hyena, mountain reedbuck and leopard. The crater also has the densest known population of lion. Serengeti migrants including 1.7 million wildebeest, 260,00 zebra and 470,000 gazelles. The park has a variety of relatively undisturbed vegetation zones, ranging from woodland to open grasslands. These habitats support populations of threatened animal species including elephants, black rhinoceroses, cheetahs, giraffes, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and wild dogs. Serengeti National Park, with its herds of ungulates and their associated predators, is the last remnant of a Pleistocene large mammal ecosystem in all its complexity. The park, in combination with the contiguous Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maasai Mara National Park, is sufficiently large to ensure the survival of this savanna ecosystem. Stretching over more than 600,000 hectares along the Myanmar border, the sanctuary, which is relatively intact, contains examples of almost all the forest types of continental South-East Asia. It is home to a very diverse array of animals, including 77% of the large mammals, 50% of the large birds and 33% of the land vertebrates to be found in this region. Lake Ichkeul and wetland are a stopover point for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds, such as geese, ducks, storks, pink flamingoes, who come to feed and nest here. The lake is one of the last remaining in a chain of lakes that once extended across northern Africa. The park is known for its exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and more than 100 species of ferns. Many types of birds and butterflies can also be found there, as well as many endangered taxa, including the mountain gorilla. Selous Game Reserve Tanzania Serengeti National Park |Tanzania Thungyai - Huai Kha Thailand Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries Ichkeul National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Site Count Rwenzori Mountains |Uganda Covering nearly 100,000 hectares in western Uganda, the park National Park comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa's third highest peak (Mount Margherita at 5,109 metres). The region's glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas. The park protects many natural habitats, endangered species and an unusual flora, including the giant heather. Gough Island Wildlife |United Kingdom |Gough Island, in the South Atlantic, is one of the least Reserve disrupted island and marine ecosystems in the cool temperate zone. One of the largest colonies of sea birds in the world lives there, amidst spectacular scenery of cliffs towering above the ocean. The island is also home to two endemic species of land birds, the galinulle and the Gough ett well as twelve endemic plant species. Henderson Island United Kingdom |In the eastern South Pacific, Henderson Island is one the few atolls in the world with its ecology almost unaltered by man. Its isolated location permits the study of the dynamics of insular evolution and natural selection. It is particularly notable for ten plants and four land birds, endemic to the island. United Kingdom |This archipelago includes some of the highest cliffs in Europe which provide a refuge for colonies of rare and endangered bird species, especially puffins and gannets. It is an outstanding example of remote island ecological colonisation and isolation of small species populations, and is of national |importance for its geology, flora and fauna. USA This National Park is often called "a river of grass flowing imperceptibly from the sea”. The exceptional variety of its water habitats has made it a sanctuary for a considerable number of birds and reptiles, as well as for threatened species such as the manatee. Carved out by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon, nearly 1,500 metres deep, is the most spectacular gorge in the world. Located in Arizona, it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park. Its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past 2 billion years. Several species of endemic and threatened animals, birds and plants can be found in the park. Home to more than 3,500 plant species, almost as many trees (130 natural species) as in all of Europe. Many endangered animal species can also be found there, including what is probably the greatest variety of salamanders in the world. Recognised as an internationally important karst area, this site contains the longest cave system in the world. Over 200 species of animal are indigenous to the cave system including several endangered species of blind fish, shrimp, bat and freshwater mussel. Surface features are also important and Big Woods, a temperate deciduous oak-hickory dominated forest, that is reputed to be one of the largest and best remaining examples of the ancient forest of eastern North America. Covering more than 9,000 km’, Yellowstone National Park contains an impressive collection of geothermal phenomena, including more than 3,000 geysers, fumaroles and hot springs. Established in 1872, the park also contains a vast natural forest ecosystem that harbours grizzly bear, wolf, bison and wapiti populations. Dense pine forests are interspersed with clear lakes and harbour a wide range of endemic flora. Everglades National Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mammoth Cave National Park Yellowstone Durmitor National Park | Yugoslavia Country Canaima National Park | Venezuela [Description | Canaima National Park exhibits an exceptional geomorphology produced by weathering processes. The distinctive tepui formations give rise to numerous waterfalls, including Angel Falls, the world's highest. The high level of endemism found on the summits of the tepuis has led to the recognition of Pantepui as a unique biogeographical entity. Mana Pools National |Zimbabwe Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas On the banks of the Zambezi River, great cliffs overhang the river and flood-plains where a remarkable concentration of wild animals can be found, including elephants, buffaloes, leopards and cheetahs. Table 3. Natural World Heritage Sites of particular importance for Biodiversity included in the list of World Heritage in danger (November 1999) Iguacu National | Brazil 1999 Park Country Date of Criterion IV | Threat to Site Inclusion Road construction, helicopter flights and dams on the Iguagu River. Srebarna Nature | Bulgaria 1992 Reserve Destruction of the fresh-water habitat of bird populations. Dam construction upstream in Romania has permanently altered the hydrology of this site. Seasonal flooding is being prevented causing a significant decline in the biological productivity of the site. Agricultural and residential use of the surrounding land have affected the wetlands, leading to the decline of water bird populations. Uncontrolled poaching by heavily armed subsequent massive influx of refugees has National Park Republic of Congo Manovo- Central 1997 Yes Gounda St. African groups, from within and outside of CAR Floris National | Republic has resulted in security problems, leading Park to the deaths of 4 Park staff in early 1997. According to IUCN, 80% of the Park's wildlife has been illegally harvested for commercial purposes. Mount Nimba Cote 1992 Yes There are two main factors: a proposed Nature Reserve | d’Ivoire/ iron-ore mining concession to an Guinea international consortium and the arrival of a large number of refugees to areas in and around the Guinean part of the site. The granting of the concession was announced in 1992 and included portions of the WH site. Virunga Democratic 1994 Yes War in neighbouring Rwanda and the National Park Republic of Congo led to massive deforestation and oaching. Garamba Democratic 1996 Yes Civil unrest in the eastern part of the National Park Republic of country has led to widespread attacks on Congo the Park's infrastructure. Equipment has been looted and several staff have deserted the park. Kahuzi-Biega Democratic 1997 Armed conflict in the eastern part of the country has meant the site has been significantly impacted by the influx of refugees. There are reports of a large presence of militia groups and illegal settlers in the park, which has led to fires, increased poaching and illegal removal and burning of timber. Okapi Wildlife Reserve Democratic 1997 Republic of the Congo Equipment and facilities have been looted and wildlife poached due to armed conflict in the eastern part of the country. There are reports of illegal gold mining in the park occupied by the militia, and the staff have neither the facilities nor resources to manage the park. Site Country Date of Criterion IV | Threat to Site Inclusion Salonga Democratic 1997 No Heightened levels of threats due to National Park Republic of poaching. the Congo — Sangay Ecuador [2 Yes | Management plan needs to be National Park implemented and damage created by road construction needs to be restored. Simien National | Eithiopia ues Yes Evidence of recent deterioration of the Park population of the Walia ibex. Other large mammals characteristic of the site (e.g. the bushbuck and the bushpig) have become extremely rare. Road construction and human population increase within the site are other threats. Rio Platano Honduras 1996 Yes This park is threatened by planned | Biosphere construction of a hydro-electric plant, Reserve illegal logging, grazing, agricultural encroachment, the introduction of exotic species, the absence of a management bt plan and a lack of park staff. Manas Wildlife | India 1992 ke Site invaded by militants of the Bodo Sanctuary tribe in Assam. Damage to the sanctuary was estimated at more than US $2 million. Infrastructure damage during 1992-93 and poaching (particularly the greater one-horned rhino). Although security conditions in and around Manas have improved, the threat of insurgency still prevails. Air and Ténéré | Niger 1992 Yes Military conflict and civil disturbance has Natural affected the area in recent times. Flora Reserves and fauna populations are recovering but some species (e.g. ostrich) continue to be seriously threatened by poaching and international trade in live animals and its by-products. The site may be considered for removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1999. Ichkeul Tunisia 1996 Yes ye construction of three dams on rivers National Park supplying Lake Ichkeul and its marshes has cut off almost all inflow of fresh water, increasing the salinity of the lake and marshes. Many fresh-water plant species have been replaced by halophytic plants, reducing the populations of reed- dependent migratory bird species such as purple heron, purple gallinule and reed zi warblers. Ruwenzori Uganda 1999 Yes A lack of resources, suspension of : Mountains projects and serious security issues at the National Park | Park. Everglades National Park Yellowstone National Park Country Date of Inclusion Criterion IV Threat to Site USA 1993 Park Superintendent informed the Committee of extensive damage to Everglades' ecology due to: nearby urban growth; pollution from fertilisers; mercury poisoning of fish and wildlife and a fall in water levels caused by flood protection measures. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew altered much of Florida Bay and its ecological systems and destroyed the park's visitor centre. The site may be removed fron the sites in danger list shortly. 1995 Yes There are concerns that adjacent mining operations might compromise the values of the park, and threaten the watershed ecology of the Yellowstone River. Other pressures include: sewage leakage and waste contamination; the unconsidered and illegal introduction of non-native lake trout which are competing with the endemic Yellowstone cut-throat trout; road construction; and year-round visitor pressures. Table 4. World Heritage Site by Udvardy Biogeographic Province. World Heritage Site Golden Mountains of Altai Russian Federation Goreme National Park andthe _|Turkey Anatolian-Iranian 1 Rock Sites of Cappodocia Desert Arabian Oryx Sanctuary Sultanate of Oman [Arabian Desert | 1 | Country Messel Pit Fossil Site Germany Atlantic Pyrénées — Mont Perdu Spain/France Austroriparian | Durmitor National Park Yugoslavia Balkan Highlands Ohrid Region with its Cultural {Former Yugoslav Republic of and Historical Aspect and its Macedonia Natural Environment Bangladesh Bengalian The Sundarbans India Rainforest Pushcha/Bialowieza Forest Iguazu National Park Argentina Brazilian Rain Iguacu National Park Brazil Forest United Kingdom British Islands Causeway Coast Kaziranga National Park India Burma Monsoon Manas National Park India Forest Yosemite National Park Californian Tikal National Park Sian Ka'an Belize Barrier-Reef Reserve Q p 3 as) ta} fe) > oO p 5 System Canaima National Park Campos Limpos Canadian Taiga Nahanni National Park Wood Buffalo National Park Gros Morne National Park Miguasha Park Western Caucasus Russian Federation Caucaso-Iranian Highlands Kahuzi-Biéga National Park Dem. Rep. of Congo Central African 2 Okapi Wildlife Reserve Dem. Rep. of Congo Highlands Area de Conservacion Costa Rica Central American Gaunacaste Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Central Desert Talamanca Range-La Amistad Sinharaja Forest Reserve Sri Lanka Ceylonese 1 Rainforest Costa Rica/Panama Honduras eo) Reserves Rio Platano Biosphere hihuahuan hilean Nothofagus| 1 Buddha Scenic Area Forest Cocos island | 1 _—| Colombia Colombian Coastal Aldabra Atoll Seychelles Comores Islands and Aldabra Dja Faunal Reserve Cameroon Congo Rain Forest Dem. Rep. of Congo Dem. Rep. of Congo (SI QO Salonga National Park Udvardy Province | Total No. World Heritage Site Desembarco del Granma National Park Park/Natural Forest Highlands Manovo-Gounda St Floris Central African Republic East African National Park Woodland/Savanna Garamba National Park Virunga National Park Kahuzi-Biega National Park Serengeti National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Rwenzori Mountains National Park Mammoth Cave National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Willandra Lakes Region Australia Eastern Grasslands 2 Australian Mammal Fossil Sites {Australia and Savannas Simien National Park Ethiopia Ethiopian Highlands verglades National Park _-(USA____——=—S~SC~srglades |S Galapagos Islands Galapagos Islands 1 Dinosaur Provincial Park Tai National Park Céte d’Ivoire Guinean Rain 2) Mount Nimba Strict nature Céte d’Ivoire /Guinea Forest ren Reserve [Canaima National Park [Venezuela [Guyanan | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Nanda Devi National Park i Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Sagarmatha National Park Royal Chitwan National Park Pyrénées — Mont Perdu Spain/France Iberian Highlands Dem. Rep. of Congo Dem. Rep of Congo Dem. Rep. of Congo Tanzania Uganda Uganda igs) Thungyai — Huai Kha Khaeng Indochinese 1 Wildlife Sanctuaries Rainforest Keoladeo National Park Indus-Ganges 2) Monsoon Forest 4 Insulantarctica Heard and McDonald Islands Australia Australia New Zealand Macquarie Island New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands Gough Island Wildlife Reserve _|United Kingdom Yakushima Japan Japanese Evergreen 1 Forest (jung Kulon National Park Kamohatkan ake Baikal Russian Federation Lake Baikal iN olcanoes of Kamchatka Lake Malawi National Park Malawi Lake Malawi (Nyasa) Ie Sibiloi/Central Island National |Kenya Lake Rudolf Parks Morne Trois Pitons National Park Pema — | Lesser Antillean Pirin National Park Plitvice Lakes National Park, Cape Girolata, Cape Porto, Scandola Nature Reserve and the Piana Calanches in Corsica Mount Athos Meteora Skocjan Caves Dofiana National Park Ichkeul National Park Hieropolis-Pamukkale Srebarna Nature Reserve Messel Pit Fossil Site Slovac Karst Selous Game Reserve Mosi-Oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls |Zambia/Zimbabwe Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas New Zealand Sub-Antarctic New Zealand Islands Te Wahipounamu — South West |New Zealand New Zealand Tongariro National Park New Zealand Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area Mount Taishan Mount Wuyi Mount Huangshan Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area Shirakami-Sanchi Middle European Forest Woodland/Savanna Sangay National Park Northern Andean Forest Huascaran National Park Pacific Desert Darién National Park Lorentz National Park Indonesia Papuan East Rennell Solomon Islands Puerto-Princesa Subterranean Philippines River National Park Philippines Danube Delta Pontian Steppe Manu National Park Peru World Heritage Site Great Barrier Reef Wet Tropics of Queensland Australia Fraser Island Australia Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks |Canada Waterton Glacier Interational Canada/USA Peace Park Yellowstone National Park USA Grand Canyon National Park USA Tassili N'Ajjer Algeria Sahara 2 Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves {Niger St Kilda l Atlantic Forest South East Brazil Serro Do Mar 2 Reserves Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest |Brazil Reserves Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve Seychelles Seychelles and Amirantes Islands Australia Queensland Coastal Rocky Mountains Tatshenshini-Alsek/Kluane National Park/Wrangell-St.Elias Canada/USA Sitkan National Park and Reserve and Glacier Bay National Park Simien national Park Somalian 4 Sibiloi /Central Island National Park Kilimanjaro National Park Tanzania Ngorongoro Conservation Area _|Tanzania Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park |South Africa South African Woodland/Savanna H Bay Viet Nam South Chinese Rainforest ares 1 1 1 Henderson Island United Kingdom Southeastern 1 Polynesian a Long Los Glaci Argentina Southern Andean 3 Huascaran National Park Peru Rio Abiseo Peru Sclerophyll The Laponian Area Sweden Dja Faunal Reserve Cameroon West African Manovo-Gounda St. Floris Central African Republic Woodland/Savanna National Park Comoé National Park Céte d’Ivoire Cliffs of Bandiagra (Land of the {Mali Dogons) 'W' National Park of Niger Niokolo-Koba National Park Virgin Komi Forests Russian Federation West Eurasian The Laponian Area Sweden Taiga Shark Bay, Western Australia Western Mulga Banc d'Arguin National Park Mauritania Western Sahel 3 2 1 Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves |Niger Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary _|Senegal World Heritage Site Country Udvardy Province | Total No. Shark Bay, Western Australia Australia Western Sclerophyll 1 ian Ka'an Mexico Yucatetan Tatshenshini-Alsek/ Kluane Canada/USA Yukon Taiga National Park/ Wrangell-St Elias Peru Yungas 2 Peru | National Park and Reserve and Glacier Bay National Park Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Manu National Park Table 5. Udvardy Biogeographical Provinces not represented by World Heritage Sites Alaskan Tundra Icelandian Iranian Desens Laccadives Islands Lake Ladoga Maldives and Chagos Islands Manchu-Japanese Mixed Forest Mascarene Islands os Szechwan Highlands Takla-Makan-Gobi Desert Maudlandia n Table 6. World Heritage Sites within Centres of Plant Diversity (CPD) Australian Fossil Mammal Sites Central Eastern Australian Rainforest Great Barrier Reef Kakadu National Park Lord Howe Island Group Macquarie Island hark Bay Western Australia Tasmanian Wilderness Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Wet Tropics of Queensland The Sundarbans Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves outh East Forest Reserves irin National Park Dja Faunal Reserve Miguasha Park China iuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area China’? tensa siaoeal Mount Wuyi Los Katios National Park Tai National Park Desembarco del Granma National Park Garamba National Park alonga National Park Virunga National Park Morne Trois Pitons National Park angay National Park Cape Girolata, Cape Porto, Scandola Natural Reserve and the |France Piana Calanches in Corsica yrénées — Mont Perdu Tikal National Park Guatamala Mount Nimba Reserves Guinea/Cote d'Ivoire Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve Honduras Nanda Devi National Park [CL eae | The Sundarbans aie ee eee Ujung Kulon National Park Indonesia Yakushima Japan Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest Kenya Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve exico Kahuzi-Biega National Park Dem. Rep. of Congo is 5) ALA D oS] = a] ia D a 3 5 5 o 5 + =} ge N = > Z =} » = (ir) roa ar ot. 5 n g : ‘ Ee a 5. a=) U ray e * 8 ~ a x a o ra) 5 Le} = 5 o a a oO n wat > q oa p 5 oO n i) i=} ° fet Dp ~ lo} Fh se) < N oO © = ° =< Site Name Country New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands New Zealand anama anama/Costa Riga Ul) Ul Ul tuls g\g rs ele oO Len J [Mani National Park *i Rio Abiseo National Park iru Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park [Philippines [Laurisiva ofMadeira SS —*dortugal Russian Federation Lake Baikal Russiaan Federation Western Caucasus ussian Federation 5 n eychelles [Greater Santa Lucia Wetland Park_——~—~—~—S~=*South Aca pain pain oa Sinharaja ForestReserve—SSSS~* La Kilimanjaro National Park ____———* acai = o. Se Nn n [Thung Yai— Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries [Thailand [Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappodicia [Turkey ierapolis-Pamukkale SS *i Tukey [Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ————~—S~*i gaa [Rwenzori Mountains National Park —————~—~—~S~* ganda [Redwood National Park ___——~—S~dSA [Yosemite National Park ____——~—=SCSSA Canaima National Park Venezuela igs) Table 7. Regional Centres of Plant Diversity not represented in the current World Heritage List Count [Area Name Africa Algeria Babor Mountains in Petit Kabylie Angola ee and Bieé Districts Angola/Namibia The Kaokoveld Africa Cameroon Adamaova area Africa Cameroon __|Campo-Kribi Africa Cameroon Korup National Park Africa Cameroon Mount Cameroon Africa Chad Tibesti [Africa ———«[Congo Tsiama or Grand Bangou Forest Africa Congo Odzala National Park and Biosphere Reserve [Africa —~—«[Congo/Democratic republic of Congo Mayombe Massif ae Chaillu Africa Congo/Gabon Africa Céte d'Ivoire Odienné area LL Africa Céte d'Ivoire South-east forest remnants Democratic Republic of Congo Haut Shaba Democratic Republic of Congo Itombwe Democratic Republic of Congo Kundelungu i Democratic Republic of Congo Maiko National Park Democratic Republic of Congo Marungu highlands Democratic Republic of Congo Upemba National Park Democratic Republic of Sao Tomé and |Mount Malabo Principe Africa Democratic Republic of Sao Tomé and |Principe Principe Democratic Republic of Sao Tomé and |S4o Tomé Principe Africa Egypt/Sudan Jebel Elba Africa [Ethiopia Bale Mountains Africa Ethiopia/Kenya/Somalia Limestone bush / woodland Africa Gabon Bélinga area and Ipassa-Mukokou Forest Africa Gabon Cristal Mountains Africa Gabon Massif de Doudou Africa Ghana South west Ghana Africa Guinea Fouta Djallon Africa Kenya Shimba hills Kenya/Uganda Mount Elgon Africa Liberia Cestos - Senkwen River area Liberia Loffa - Mano Sapo National Park Al Jabal al Akhdar Mount Mulanje Nyika Plateau Atar area [Coastal area near Agadir and to south High Atlas Western Cape Domain (Succulent Karoo) Oban Hills and Cross River National Park Region Country Area Name Africa Rwanda Nyungwe Forest Reserve [Attica Sierra Leone Gola High Forest Africa Sierra Leone Loma Africa Somalia Cal Madow Africa Somalia Hobyo/Obbia area Africa Somalia Nugual Valley Africa South Africa Albany centre Africa South Africa Cape Floristic Region Africa South Africa Drakensberg Afromontane regional system Africa South Africa Drakensberg Alpine Region Africa Sudan Imatong Mountains Africa Sudan Jebel Marra Africa Tanzania Itigi Thicket Africa Tanzania Msumbugwe Africa Tanzania Pugu hills and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves Africa Tanzania Rondo Plateau Tanzania East Usambaras Mountains Tanzania Mahle-Karobwa Hills Tanzania/Kenya Tanzania/Kenya Kitulo Plateau / Kipengere Mountains Nguru Mountains Taita hills Tanzania/Kenya Uluguru Mountains Tanzania/Kenya Uzungwa Mountains Tanzania/Mozambique Middle Ruvuma River area Zambia Lwangwa Valley Zambia Zambezi source area Zimbabwe Chimanimani Mountains Zimbabwe ~_|Great Dyke Africa Zimbabwe Nyanga Atlantic Ocean Islands __|Cape Verde Cape Verde Islands Atlantic Ocean Islands __|Portugal Azores [Atlantic Ocean Islands __|United Kingdom Saint Helena Australia and New Australia Zealand Australian Alps Australia and New Australia Zealand Christmas Island Australia Australia and New Zealand MclIlwraith Range and Iron Range Australia Australia and New Zealand Australia Australia and New Zealand ee Kimberley Region Sclerophyll forests of Far South-east New South Wales | Australia and New Australia Zealand Sydney Sandstone Region Zealand Zealand Australia and New ee Zealand eS Islands Australia and New New Zealand Northland New Zealand Australia and New Zealand North-west Nelson —_ Region Area Name Caribbean Islands Cajalbana Tableland and Preluda Mountain Region Caribbean Islands Caribbean Islands Dominican Republic Caribbean Islands Dominican Republic Caribbean Islands Dominican Republic Caribbean Islands Coast from Juragoa to Casilda Peninsula; Trinidad Mountains; Sierra del Escambray Pinar del Rio Cordillera Central Los Haitises Sierra de Neiba Morne la Viste Caribbean Islands Pic Macaya Caribbean Islands Aripo Savannas Scientific Reserve Caribbean Islands Caribbean Islands Central and North Asia Blue and John Crow Mountains Cockpit County Kazakhstan/Kyrgystan/Tajikistan/Turk menistan/Uzbekistan Mountains of Middle Asia Central and North Asia Russian Federation Chukotskiy Peninsula Central and North Asia Central and North Asia China and East Asia Russian Federation Tajikistan/Uzbekistan Primorye Zehraushan River basin and the Smarkand Mountains Cambodia China and East Asia China and East Asia |China Cardamom Mountains China Ailao Shan Chang Guancai Mountain Range China and East Asia China China and East Asia Da Tuzi Mountain Range China and East Asia {China China and East Asia |China China and East Asia |China China and East Asia_|China China and East Asia {China Changbai Mountain region | Daba Mountains Dabie and Guniu Mountains [Fanj ing Mountains [Funiu Mountains |Gao Tai Mountain Range China and East Asia |China Gaoligong Mountains, Nu Jiang River and Biluo Snow Mountains China and East Asia |China China and East Asia |China Haba Snow Mountains China and East Asia China and East Asia China and East Asia China and East Asia China and East Asia |China China and East Asia |China Helan Mountains China High Mt & Deep Gorge Reg.- Gaoligong Mt/Nu Jiang R/ China Jiulong Mountains China |Kunyu Mountains China [Lao Mountains Limestone region, south-west Zhuang Autonomous Reg Lingwu Mountains China and East Asia |China Mazui Mountain China and East Asia {China Mountains of Wisichuan China and East Asia {China Nanling Mountain Range China and East Asia |China Shennongjia China South Yulong Mountains China and East Asia |China Southern Guangxi Province (Shiwanda Mountains and Nonggang Nature Reserves) China Southern part of Taihang Mountains China and East Asia |China China and East Asia |China Tacheng basin and Ili Val ley ee Taibai Mountain region Region Country Area Name China and East Asia_ {China Tropical forests of Hainan China and East Asia {China Western slope of Do Hinggan Mountains, Horquin and Xilin Gol China and East Asia {China Wolong Mountains, Da and Xiao Liang Shan Mountains China and East Asia |China Wutai Mountains China and East Asia {China Xishuangbanna region China and East Asia {China Xizo Hinggan Mountain Range | China and East Asia {China Yushan National Park China and East Asia {China Zayu, Medog, Yadon and Nyalam China and East Asia {China Zhongtiao Mountains China and East Asia_|Japan Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands China and East Asia__|Japan Mount Hakusan China and East Asia_|Japan Mount Hyachine China and East Asia__|Japan Rebun Island China and East Asia __|Japan Shiroum Mountains China and East Asia Bolovens Plateau China and East Asia _|North Korea Mount Chilbo Nature Reserve South Korea China and East Asia Mount Chiri National Park China and East Asia |South Korea Mount Halla South Korea China and East Asia Mount Sorak National Park and Biosphere Reserve China and East Asia |Taiwan Kenting National Park HAMbHES his China and East Asia Yushon National Park Thailand China and East Asia Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary China and East Asia_ |Thailand Meal Doi Inthanon China and East Asia_ |Thailand (China and East Asia [Thailand China and East Asia_ |Thailand Doi Suthep-pui National Park Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary Khao Yai National Park China and East Asia |Thailand Limestone Flora China and East Asia_ |Thailand Tarutao National Park China and East Asia |Thailand Wet Seasonal Evergreen forests of south east Thailand Viet Nam Viet Nam China and East Asia China and East Asia Bach Ma-Hai Van National Park Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve Viet Nam China and East Asia China and East Asia [Viet Nam Cuc Phuong National Park Langbian-Dalat Highland China and East Asia [Viet Nam Mount Fan Si Pan China and East Asia [Viet Nam Phu Khan China and East Asia |Viet Nam Yok Don Nature Reserve tein/Slovenia/Switzerland Austria/France/Germany/Italy/Liechens | Alps dnt toed fen eet Belarus/Lithuania/Poland Biatowieza Forest Troodos Mountains Republic/Slovakia/Hungary/Poland/Ro mania/Ukraine Carpathians Crete [Mount Olympus Mountains of Southern and Central Greece [Burren |Algarve Site Number 1 World Heritage Site Name Country SJ assili N'Ajjer uazu National Park os Glaciares Igeria gentina rgentina il : Peninsula Valdés Argentina Australian Fossil Mammal Sites Australia Central Eastern Australian Rainforest Australia = les] raser Island reat Barrier Reef Australia Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997 Kakadu National Park Australia Lord Howe Island Group Australia Macquarie Island Australia | 13 [Shark Bay Western Australia [Australia Australia 1982 Australia 1987 Australia Australia Pace 20 i 21 — \o \O N Qa > i= n gf 5 5 \o — N ary ey \O}O}\0 \o| 00} 00 NM} —_ Ww \o oo oo — \o Ne) I Bangladesh Belarus/Poland | 20 [Belize Barrier ReefReserve system (Belize | 21 [Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves [Brazil Brazil Brazil Bulgaria 25 Bulgaria 26 Cameroon 27 Canada 28 Canada 29 Canada 1987 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 — \o = \o oo a= — py \O}\O}\O 00} 00/00 BL W]Go — \o oo os = \o ~ \o — Ke) ~ oo Nahanni National Park Canada Wood Buffalo National Park Canada Waterton and Glacier International Peace Park Canada/USA —_ \o oo Lvs) E \o Nn —_ \o a \o ean | 26 [Dj mia | 28 Di ae 20F | ems) Mipdastiaianeeemeer oer Canada com | al ia i | 34 _[Tatshenshini-Alsek/Kluane/Wrangell-St Elias/Glacier Bay _[Canada/USA Parc National de Manovo-Gounda-St Floris Central African 1988 | 36 _[Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area ([China_———*[1992 | Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha China —————«*( 1996 | Mount Huangshan China «19900 | Mount Taishan 1987 Mount Wyui 1999 Los Katios National Park Cocos Island National Park 1997 Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves Comoé National Park 1983 Mount Nimba Reserves Cote 1982 d'Ivoire/Guinea a ee Country World Heritage Site Name Democratic. Republic. of Congo kapi Faunal Reserve Democratic. Republic. of Congo Garamba National Park aw ) a i=] S| w Q gg ro Z i) Sp ° 5 2 ac) p ial Ss Salonga National Park Democratic. Virunga National Park Democratic. 1979 Republic. of Congo O Morne Trois Pitons National Park ominica 1997 Galapagos Islands cuador 1978 Sangay National Park cuador 1983 Simien National Park ithiopia 1978 Cape Girolata, Cape Porto & Scandola Nature Reserves in Pyrénées - Mont Perdu rance/Spain 1997 Ohrid Region with its Cultural and Historical Aspect and its Natural Environment Messel Pit Fossil Site rmany 1995 reece 1988 va] wn @ @ as} s} =] =] c c i) i) lo} ° Fh = Q QO ° ° i=) 5 Us} le) ° = \o oo aS w) (@) lo} = 2 i?) i) el es] es] [esl [esl Tes! Ee 5 fe) oO © oo we Q = a o ° @ = \o ro) oo Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve Kaziranga National Park India s«*S': 9853 [Keoladeo National Park India’ 1985 [Manas Wildlife Sanctuary India’ =~ 1985 iitclia pe eee ndia 1987 ndonesia donesia pan enya Madagascar Malawi i Mauritania Mexico Mexico New Zealand New Zealand 92 New Zealand Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves i 94 'W' National Park Arabian O: Sanctuai Darien National Park anama Historic Sanctuary of Macchu Picchu Huascaran National Park ray p s. p 5 — \Oo \O Ww \o Naan ~_ = \o Ne) ~_ 5 5 5 5 5 5) 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 fl 7 z 8 8 8 8 ary a No} Xo} Xe) 00 | 00 | oO ojo; 3 4 5 6 i 8 9 2 3 4 5 7 0 1 2) 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 3 4 5 87 88 ‘alliiil BIE EE see) Hie p S oo ~ ape peppy No} Keo} Kel Kell eo} Ke) 00 ]\O}]\O |] 00] \O Cl/O]co}/o; b/w = Ke} \o = olols|9|2|2 e [o) 8 telat a \O}\0 | \O 60 | 00 | \O Wl |p 95 97 Ww 1985 World Heritage Site Name Manu National Park eanrOoy. al Rio Abiseo National Park Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park 1999 Philippines [Sa (ES ee aaa |S TEES [108 [Volcanoes of Kamchatka Russia 196 109) | WestemiCancasusNn Russia a9 99%)| [110 [Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary Senegal 981 | 111 _[Niokolo-Koba National Park Senegal 19811 1983 East Rennell 1998 | 119 [Ibiza Biodiversity and Culture Spain 199 Sinharaja Forest Reserve 1988 The Lapponian Area Sweden [1996 _| Tanzania 1989 | 125 |SerengetiNationalPark Tanzania [1981 1980 1988 1986 1995 Everglades National Park Grand Canyon National Park 1981 1980 [146 |Canaima National Park Venezu ___—* 994 1980 | 149 [Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa-Tunya Zambia/Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 1984 RB Spence Py Ai gid spe, Map 1 | © @e —— UNEP WCMC Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 ©UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May 1% 6 °11 5° 92, 14° 4 90° 12° Source Information available fromi UNEP-WCMC Natural World Heritage sites arepnservation of biological diversity, including those contain Ninety-five natural World Heritag Natural World Heritage Sites Inscribed under criterion iy ¢ Natural World Heritage Sites Inscribed under criterion iv ¢ Other Natural World Heritage Sites UCN bans @ OQ UNEP WCMC ©) Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 (@UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May _— eee An \ | yr as we Yh 121° | y f 4 / ot 5 Ve °107 | 32 1340 x | y 26 og y; Pe 13° 4 fe ms >» | / age” 33 St 114% 404 \ AN N e eran? 199 . yt oe ast Brae ¢ \ ‘ ° 141 ° 8 \ \ | Cen “ 117° 449 48, 866 = 3 \ aoe \ 78 N | 136 1036 2 7 Se . ° \, i ar ft, 118° ie Te age ¢ 12) , | 140 35 = | . 85° 4 | ° 74748 4 4 93 147 | 110 ag | e4t1 Pe 60° ‘ot 490 %47 3 | 4 ‘° 52 | 12d 102 | 48 #) © 980 | 542,134 | | + p= | 55° SAT 143 23 J °76 34 [e112 % ae ; . Bw ° | \ . ° 150, | } 115 / || 21 449° 83 feo 1 8 | | = | : 135 | 430° 15° 7 ] | 116 | 5 y | 17 So 848 ¢ / Sa 5° 925 / 14° 9 “A 9 goe * ° ipo Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC diversity, including those containing threatened species of oufstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation". Ninety-five natural World Heritage sites are listed under criterion iv on the World Heritage list Natural World Heritage sites are listed under criterion iv if they are considered to "contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological Map 2 | orn for Br N © @O =< “Se UNEP WCMC Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 @©UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May SS <4 108, 1252 Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC In accordance with Article 11.4 of ths shall so require", a list of World Heritage properties that are in Dang The list includes cultural and naturaed by accelerated deterioration, large-scale public or private projects major alterations due to unknown causes; abandonment; the outbreak There are currently 18 natural Wor' Natural World Heritage Sites in Danger Map 2 pcx UN © &Q * Natural World Heritage Sites in Danger aa a ee UNEP A. | * Other Natural World Heritage Sites Robinson Projection, Date P' ‘UNEP-WCMC, Contd by len Mae | ~ a °107 \ y v4 a2 ; nage \ NY N | la 27, 408, y Vp “028 aq 7% e \ N 72° 33° / I, X > / 1430 144 \ | y f au 141 j / "138 [ss 117e \ 78 N / *136 / 138 103 « ‘4 . / | / 8° 118° * | 137 » [ 140 1 th < — MM N / wy e@ 51° g5° \ | 67h \ | | "68 *57 110° 4 \ | hi m ! | le . ‘s | | Bi a 43 146 w 102 | | 58 959 } | 100 | °76 \ fe 39 | \ | 8 | * \ \ 97 * 1 115 \ 24 | i ; | 22+ | 2° f ise cr y / yf ett | | 133) / 5° 92, if °4 14° 34 y 3° aoe / | 12° | — — — — — - — - = — Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC | In accordance with Article 11.4 of the Convention, the World Heritage Committee "shall establish, keep up to date and publish, whenever circumstances © -|| so require", a list of World Heritage properties that are in Danger. ers, such as the threat of disappearance caused »y accelerated deterioration, The list includes cultural and natural heritage properties that are threatened by serious and specific dang K 2 2 large-scale public or private projects or rapid urban or tourist development projects; destruction caused by changes in the use or ownership of the land; ma or alterations due to unknown causes; abandonment; the outbreak or the threat of an armed conflict and natural disasters. There are currently 18 natural World Heritage sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. e Natural World Heritage Sites Udvardy Biomes al [eer Cold-winter deserts ieee rN Py ¥ Ee Evergreen Sclerophyllous forests in Union =n ye (ee Lake systems Scie UNEP WCMC i i a Robinson Projection, Date Pri (ee Mixed island systems GUNEP-WCMC, Compiled byte ps Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Udvardy's "Biogeographical Proviyater areas of the world. Such a classification system enables prec Udvardy's classification system gimatic or biotic subdivisions. The World Heritage Convention ré Natural and mixed World Heritaggraphic Provinces have been delineated} + Natural World Heritage Sites Natural World Udvardy Biomes = Mixed mountain systems Cold-wi inter deserts (eea] Sub-tropical / Temperate rain forests / Woodlands Lol Evergreen Sclerophylious forests a Temperate broad-leaf forests | Lake systems es Temperate grasslands Mi lixed island systems Be Temperate needle-leaf forests / Woodlands Heritage Sites and Udvardy Biomes Tropical dry forests / Woodlands Tropical grasslands / Savannas [EBB Tropical humid forests Tundra communities (ea Warm deserts / semi-deserts Map 3 | os poms | © @a ne UNEP WCMC Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 | @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May Source Information available from UNEP-WCMG ; = = — ] Udvardy's “Biogeographical Provinces of the World" (1975) is an example of a hierarchical biogeographic classification system for terrestrial and freshwater areas of the world. Such a classification system enables predictions and assumptions to be made about similar biogeographical regions. Udvardy's classification system groups the world into Realms, Biomes and Provinces. Realms are the largest unit; biogeographic provinces are ecosytematic or biotic subdivisions. The World Heritage Convention requires natural World Heritage properties to be classified according to biogeographic provinces. Natural and mixed World Heritage sites have been classified according to biogeographic province. This map is coloured by Biome within which Biogeographic Provinces have been delineated fl Evergreen Sclerophyllous forests FR [ey Lake systems eee | Mixed island systems We (2 containing Natural World Heritage Sites IUC ©) UNEP WCMC Tis Wart Conran Uae Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 | Terrestrial Global 200 Ecoregions Freshwater Global 200 Ecoregions Marine Global 200 Ecoregions ——————— = —_ — ————— = = = = ©UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May ——ae OF = = Gi ats i | 4 y / ~ | | " “A 1. al N £ : : 2 \ | = | | T =< Bg | SS / 7 7 ‘S y SZ y R di N —— — = = = = = ‘Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC The WWF Global 200 Ecoregions identified in this map are those which do not contain any current Natural World Heritage Sites. There are currently 69 Terrestrial, 37 Freshwater and 33 Marine WWF Global 200 Ecoregions which do not contain Natural World Heritage Sites. Potential new inscriptions to the Natural World Heritage list could be focused on these areas. Compiled by WWF-US, OWWF-US Si Say Tee MH - Centres of Plant Divers © 60) Q Note: The mapped CBD coverage is incomp analysis of the Neral World bieritage ais UNEP WCMC compiled using supplementary data from " Robi ie ; Diversity" Volumes L-lll, (WWE/IUCN),(1994 Spe oe Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Concern about the rapid loss ants, was the rational behind identifying Centres of Plz CPDs are concerned with first onay not be accurately known: and/or is known to conté The sites are also likely to cont~proportion of species adapted to special edaphic cond Sites occur within Centres of Plant Diversity. Se Natural World Heritage Sites and Centres of Plant Diversity Map 9 fen MH - Centres of Plant Diversity / cy « . . . M4 y ay Not: The mapped CBD coverages incomplete however + Natural World Heritage Sites within or IUCr 4 © My Q | analysis of the Natural World Heritage Sites has b ini i i ae ; ’ compiled using supplementary asiaeor "Centres of Plant containing Centres of Plant Diversity 5 UNEP WCMC Diversity" Volumes -lll, (WWE/IUCN),(1994) + Other Natural World Heritage Sites eee | = = 2 SUNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May i” ee — [ \ = — ee A ye ; yh \ y Oe, yl / 121° \ A AAC #107 y 4 32 , 1340 \ \ oe Vo 270 432° 1g u > / 28 29 e 04 y / 142® 33° / 3 8 6 mi x . f ‘ “as / %, "st 25! < ¥ 145 441 cle aa af \ / ° faye ; 1170 Hig ,s, 9.66 ~~ N / 138 127 ~ an | / "135° 139 1036 / 8° \ 137 Oa 1° \ | We / 4 BS 51 at i ‘ 9 Le ° | ne "68 57 qio° oS \ c \ 60° |} \ 23 Te | « x Am : ee He : | \ : “| 4 #50 115 | \ =“ M { 149° 83 tee °8 | | \ 135 2 % il “7 7 | \ . \ pre L / \ - \ e11 \ 193, 2, / XN 3 90° | \ Se NX 12° y y | ‘Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC. < == Sas = we = | Concern about the rapid loss and degeneration of Natural Ecosystems and the urgent need to highlight the areas of prime botanical importance, hotspots, was the rational | behind identifying Centres of Plant Biversity (CPD). y e ee e of e CPDs are concerned with first order sites that are of global botanical importance. Such areas are evidently species rich, even if the number of species may not be accurately known: and/or is known to contain a large number of endemic species. The sites are also likely to contain an important genepoo! of plants of actual or potential value to humans, a diverse range of habitat types, a epiteetn pepo on of species panied (e) s ecla egaphic conditions and may be threatened or under imminent threat of large-scale devastation. Seventy four Natural World Heritage Sites occur within entres of Plant Diversity. Natural World Hotspots Map 10 (~ (ay @ Conservation International BiodN ©) YOO! (2 MP Hotspot area al UNEP WCMC | Outer Limit Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 ©UNEP-WCNC, Compiled by lan May Mapped with the kind permission of Conservation Intemational Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Conservation International (C1) Hp identifies the location of these hotspots that are used as a cong The 25 priority hotspots are bas#pf threat they face. Together the 25 hotspot areas cicent of four vertebrate groups. Fifty seven Natural World Herita Conservation International (200( Natural World Heritage Sites and Conse rvation International Biodiversity Hotspots Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots = Hotspot area [} Outer Limit bay h (oo () ¢ Natural World Heritage Sites within or containing NZ UNEP WCMC | Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots e Other Natural World Heritage Sites Robinson Projection, Date Printed Juns 2000 — —— = — SUNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May a = = — = = . = = = = = / > / ae SS | / | ~ | / 121° \\ ~ u, 3! / *107 ~ J 32 / 1340 \ 408, me ~ a _ 19 \ 10 ; 276 / 132 ° 105\ & S y 2 928 f 3 29, e\, \ A 142* 33 0, ° ie _ 5° ay *93 110° 8g a4 5 e111 rt 45 60 2 State) 4, 8 a ge 133 ac \ Bs NX r ai ie l Mapped wth the lund permission of Consarvation International Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Conservation International (Cl) has identified those biologically rich areas under the greatest threat of destruction as "biodiversity hotspots". This map identifies the location of these hotspots that are used as a conservation priority tool by Cl and others. The 25 priority hotspots are based on three criteria: the number of species present, the number of endemic species in an ecosystem and the degree of threat they face. Together the 25 hotspot areas cover less than 2 percent of the planet's land area, yet account for 44 percent of all vascular plant species and 38 percent of four vertebrate groups. Fifty seven Natural World Heritage Sites occur within Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots. Conservation International (2000). Biodiversity Hotspots Map. Conservation International: Washington, DC. —_ — Conse@tural ae Conservation International Biodivt (6) ee i ‘e ore PW PN Hotspot area | ae oe Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 oer Outer Limit @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May ———— Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Mapped with the kind permission of Conservation Intemational The areas identified in this peiokee: There are currently 5 Cons, Potential new inscriptions { Conservation International Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots not containing Natural World Heritage Sites oe ig | i UCN © @& Q. We Wald Comerton Une UNEP WCMC | Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots Baal Hotspot area | Mapped with the kind permission of Conservation Intemational Outer Limit Robinson Proje en, Date Pind une 2000, | —a a z v i \ SS —_ “— ~ -. S \ / XS 3 _ \ ? \ < A ~ y fi / \ SS y \ i f A | | \ / / i A . / / ‘ / J y x 7 / y q f Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC The areas identified in this map are those Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots that do not currently contain any Natural World Heritage Sites. There are currently 5 Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots that do not contain Natural World Heritage Sites. Potential new inscriptions to the Natural World Heritage List could be focused on these areas. Conservation International (2000). Biodiversity Hotspots Map. Conservation International: Washington, DC. MH Vavilov Centres Y My Gs fa y rE Ss “Se UNEP WCMC Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May 10% 102 Kee ee oe 75 - 5 e 10 115 16 °8 e 15¢@ e7 1% 6 °11 5° 92, 14° 94 90° q202 highly diverse crop genetic reso originate in wild form. As more and more land is used very few variants, wild plants ar Forty natural World Heritage sit¢ The theory of "Centres of Plant n identified as containing }tural plants are based on Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC cme wheat, coffee and maize Natural World Heritage Sites and Vavilov Centres Map 12, Th Well Coser within Vavilov Centres Ne roe UNEP WCMC | ¢ Other Natural World Heritage Sites Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 (@UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May * Natural World Heritage Sites lUC N © Sy) Q | MP Vavilov Centres . \ » The theory of "Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity’ was created by Russian botanist N.|. Vavilov (1887 - 1943). Twelve geographical resins have been identified as containing highly SIV ETSe cpp genetic resources, with a high adaptation and surviving ability. These regions are believed to be where key cultural plants such as wheat, coffee and maize onginate in wild form. As more and more land is used for agriculture and development, wild plants and Vavilov centres are increasingly threatened with extinction. Since cultural plants are based on very few variants, wild plants are essential to maintain and preserve the heritage of genetic variation. Forty natural World Heritage sites occur within the 12 Vavilov Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity. Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC HH Vavilov Centres Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May ‘ource Information available from UNEP-WCMC The areas identified in this map 2 There are currently 4 Vavilov Ce Potential new inscriptions to the a UN © & Q UNEP WCMC Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May ——~ ~ y SS ‘ fi Nt > : y / s ~ j | \ ’ | | " a | | | ; \ \ | j y ) \ ihe A | \ — There are currently 4 Vavilov Centres that do not contain Natural World Heritage Sites. Potential new inscriptions to the Natural World Heritage List could be focused on these areas. The areas identified in this map are those Vavilov Centres of Plant Genetic Diversity that do not currently contain Natural World Heritage Sites Map 14 RS M Ming : Es Sh y: P 4 } E f V N) a» ern UNEP WCMC MM Endemic Bird Areas OUNEP-WCMG, Compled byten May 108, °78 Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Endemic Bikm?, are under thervation of biodivers Seventy oné Me Endemic Bird Areas Natural World Heritage Sites and Endemic Bird Areas 2. in wire UCN © * Natural World Heritage Sites within Endemic Bird Areas » Other Natural World Heritage Sites Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 - (UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May Map 14 | ee i @ UNEP WCMC | } 121° e : | ° 115 | i _ U ; 12° 16° 8 / 13° 15° 7 j / 7 , 8/ en 7 | | / ip. 92, / / / 14% ee / 2 / 90° » | zy ~__ Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC. | “4 Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) are hotspots of restricted-range species of birds. These species, with a breeding range less than 50,000 km?, are under threat due to high vulnerability to pressures such as destruction of habitat and therefore, are of high importance to the conservation of biodiversity. An EBA emcompasses the ranges (part or whole) of at least two endemic restricted-range birds. Seventy one Natural World Heritage Sites occur within Endemic Bird Areas. Map 15| Ry pois? ; 4 < . re 1 © Se : i j UNEP WCMC WH Endemic Bird Areas GUNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May t bX . Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC The areas identified in t There are currently 153 Potential new inscriptio J Endemic Bird Areas Endemic Bird Areas not containing Natural World Heritage Sites >» + etd Canara ase ial eee © @) tine UNEP WCMC Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 GUNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May X __ Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC The areas identified in this map are those Endemic Bird Areas that do not currently contain any Natural World Heritage Sites. There are currently 153 Endemic Bird Areas that do not contain Natural World Heritage Sites. Potential new inscriptions to the Natural World Heritage List could be focused on these areas. Criticage Sites Map 16 Research and Mapping of Critically Endangered Mammals and B Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC | Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May species distribution records were The 1996 IUCN Red List of Thredated using the IUCN Red List categories. This system is deatened at a global level. "Critically Endangered" taxa are t}n numbers and are often restricted to small geographical a Using the UNEP-WCMC Species! and literature based jfjfYyYSeowo | Number of Critically Thr atened Vertebrate Taxa contained within Natural World Heritage Sites | Critically Endangered Vertebrate Taxa and Natural World Heritage Sites IUC \| Ths Wert Canaarrt Map 16 @ ¢ UNEP WCMC © | OM Of OF Ae O04 L ~ Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 (@UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May ra a Z \ y x ~ ; ss y e / 1218 8 P 34, % *107 y 32 fi 1340 108, . y ; 27e 628 / 29, pee leeeg 108, 106 ‘ / J 142® 33° } sR | 7 6g e sy / °, 25 199 N lar 1, % 4 tue \ : / 9145 J iyo Ae Se. | \ 4 N / 138 en ° 419 437 129 ao \ / °136 1036 Fu \ \ 36 cre Ek O / 87 jars iiss ie Tie get Be) 8 ty / a5 2 / / &, 5t0 85° us 74118 * 67h, #93 ui °6a ox 410° 4 eit * PS 60° “126 | . 35 104 i eS 4%) 8 *, 45 "146 i 25 Boa 12° 102 ! 4 2 b : ; a 5494134 i 58 59 55° 425% 0122 193 2100 23 %. °76 : 7 5 oa” 124 |et2 75 . iz ‘ 97 04 a gy 150 , 115 \ ee 2 16 °8 C . ear) \ 135 2°) 2 aa 16 15° 7 \ 4 ont \ \ 133, 5° 92, \ - fate 91 \ 4 ‘\ 3° 90° \ AO ‘Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Research and Mapping of Critically Endangered Mammals and Birds by UNEP-WCMC (Sponsored by Rio Tinto) The 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on species that have been evalu- ed using the IUCN Red List categories. This system is designed to determine relative risk of extinction. Its main purpose is to catalogue the species that are regarded as three ned at a global level. "Critically Endangered" taxa are those facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. These species have low populatio: \umbers and are often restricted to small geographical areas. Using the UNEP-WCMC Species Conservation Database (SCD), critically endangered vertebrates were identified on a country-by-country basis. Map < 1d literature based species distribution records were then used to determine which taxa fell within natural World Heritage properties. Najes Hel Ue : ~ Cy vA N ©~© Ww @ "ena UNEP WCMC -— Marine Turtle Nesting Be Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May 108, °78 1% C) 11 the 92, an 91 90° 12° Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Of all the marine reptiles the seapsting and feeding grounds. The females come ashore once - plummeted in recent years. Fifteen Natural World Heritage Natural World Heritage Sites and Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches IUCN The Wed Comer os » Natural World Heritage Sites containing Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches ¢ Other Natural World Heritage Sites © Ba Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 (UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May ~~ Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches y 132 3 “ns 106, “ y fn 8 : \ Sep 25 199 .: 143° 5% 8g of yorat : \ Bee. 0 Ti7e 419 137 129 1036 ms 118° 4 * } 1° =i ! x 4 °93 e 40° ie : e enti ° 60° 4| J 49, 3 °. 47 5 52 e | gs sat ih Sa 13°81 | 7 | 55° Pa 122 143 | oie | 134 e112 \ \ °24 449° 83 \\ t \ Ne t85 116 133 \ *4 XN . Ma \ a “Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC ine reptiles the sea turtles are the most well known. They are almost entirely marine dwelling and migrate great distances between the nesting and feeding grounds. The AM eel skit once every two to four years to lay clutches of eggs. All species are listed on the IUCN Red List and many populations have plummeted in recent years. Fifteen Natural World Heritage Sites contain sea turtle nesting beaches. Map 18 ES ~ "eer UNEP WCMC Rey, ——— Coral Reefs and Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 @UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May Sai _ i 2 t : ena j Rae 5° 92 14° 12 Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC =e Coral reefs and mangroves are jes S. The coral reef is considered as diverse as the 6 including cyanide and dynamite fishing. The mostn World Heritage Sites include coral reefs. Mangroves Jearance for aquaculture. The most important area for ma Natural World Heritage Sites, Coral Reefs and Mangroves IUCN Ths Wert Comarvatinn Ua * Natural World Heritage Sites containing ©) ct a Moy d y M SNA itt Map 18 | ME — Coral Reef. aM Coral Reefs and Mangroves UNEP WCMC | at as aA Ap eee Other Natural World Heritage Sites Robinson Projection, Date Printed June 2000 . = = == ———— = ©UNEP-WCMC, Compiled by lan May / ; \ / SS in / / 1210 \ Sy 34, a _ °107 : A fi 32 ; 1340 A Ze og Yh an 132° 19 4 1428 33° / sy ®3 ag 2 / 4 199 1430 "haa / 5g gat wea! 9 GG Ja (ae ei / 138 138 19° 497 12 / 2196 103 ¢ f / 87° 137 « an | 118° ia | te | ° | —* | * C7} es | = A % ° | | Y 68 °57 | 110° a 83 + i lage » ei” PS 60° se aes 490, 7 * Fa | | “4s "146 Ww ee — : t | = b. a td eat Tesch Vee = o* a ‘Source Information available from UNEP-WCMC Coral reefs and mangroves are animal and plant communities respectively and are essentially restricted to the tropics between 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S. The coral reef is considered as diverse as the terrestrial rainforest, providing habitat for a vast number of species. Reef systems are threatened by many human activities including cyanide and dynamite fishing. The most diverse coral reefs occur around Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Maldives. Fourteen World Heritage Sites include coral reefs. Mangroves provide habitat for both marine dwelling and terrestrial animals giving them a high biodiversity value. Threats include the clearance for aquaculture. The most important area for mangroves is the Indo-Pacific ragion. Eighteen Natural World Heritage Sites fall on mangrove systems. *) J pies ree tes? Rabe 2 e ‘ S oe d * re t ia r Ay ) } a an " De Ve t a” d ‘ ol wry F mol +VA'p,