https://cambodia.wcs.org RSS feeds for WCS Cambodia 60 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15955/the-tonle-sap-biosphere-reserve.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15955 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15955&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15955/the-tonle-sap-biosphere-reserve.aspx In December 2001, the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) was established by Royal Decree with three complementary functions:a conservation function to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity, landscapes, ecosystem, including genetic resources, plant, fishery and animal species, and to the restoration of the essential character of the environment and habitat of biodiversity;a development function to foster sustainable development of ecology, environment, economy, society, and culture;a logistic function to provide support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring of environment related to the local, national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development.The TSBR established a core zone, a buffer zone and a transition zone. The core zone contains protected sites for conserving biodiversity, monitoring minimally disturbed ecosystems and undertaking non-destructive research and related activities. The three core zones are: Prek Toal (21,342 ha), Boeng Chhmar (14,560 ha) and Stung Sen (14,560 ha).The core area of a Biosphere Reserve is defined as an area devoted to the conservation of biological resources, of landscapes and of the ecosystem. The Royal Decree by which the TSBR was declared concurs with this characterization and cites biodiversity conservation, monitoring and research as the primary objectives of the core area. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15955 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15954/the-tonle-sap-conservation-project.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15954 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15954&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15954/the-tonle-sap-conservation-project.aspx The Tonle Sap Conservation Project (TSCP) is a seven year (2004-2011) GEF project aimed at developing the management capacity for biodiversity conservation in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) in Cambodia through (i) enhancing the capacity for management of biodiversity; (ii) developing systems for monitoring and management of biodiversity; and (iii) promoting awareness, education, and outreach on biodiversity conservation in the TSBR. The project is the third component of a broader program, the Tonle Sap Environmental Management Project (TSEMP), co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), GEF, Capacity 21, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC).Key achievements by so include the construction of infrastructure for protected area management (TSEMP/TSCP) and the launch of a management program, the preparation of core area management plans to guide future program development and implementation, and the creation of a strategy and system of procedures for biodiversity monitoring and protected area management. The project has also made significant progress in training protected area staff, focusing on the training and equipping of 52 protected area rangers. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15954 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15953/tonle-sap-threats-assessment.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15953 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15953&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15953/tonle-sap-threats-assessment.aspx Despite the success of conservation efforts in the Tonle Sap Lake and floodplain, a recent threats assessment indicates that there are still a number of illegal activities that threaten biodiversity in the area.There are worries that uncontrolled developments in the outer floodplain are destroying much important habitat and may also have negative impacts on the overall ecosystem. In particular, dams and irrigation channels obstruct water flow and fish migration and heavy use of chemicals may pollute the environment and kill many living organisms.The establishment of the invasive plant Mimosa pigra is also often noted in areas with dry season rice cultivation, probably due to seed import through earth moving equipment such as excavators and tractors. The increased contact between people and wildlife is not to the benefit of wildlife and hunting pressure may be increasing as a result.The use of poisons within the Boeung Tonle Chhmar Core Area has been recently reported to be extensive and this practice is likely to occur elsewhere as well.Besides using poisoned fish bait to kill waterbirds and other wildlife the collection of bird eggs from nests was also reported here, but the species were not identified. Such practices are also likely to occur elsewhere. Numerous illegal fishing practices are routinely employed throughout the floodplain, reducing fish stocks and damaging habitat. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15953 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15952/mist-law-enforcement-monitoring-in-the-tonle-sap.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15952 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15952&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15952/mist-law-enforcement-monitoring-in-the-tonle-sap.aspx WCS-Cambodia has provided technical advice to law enforcement monitoring staff in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) to facilitate the introduction of MIST (Management Information SysTem) software. MIST has been specifically designed to service protected area management needs, providing a standardized, computer-based system for recording wildlife and human activities during ranger patrols, and generating map-based information for use in decision-making and planning.The introduction of MIST complements Site-based management activities that were already underway in the three Core Areas of the TSBR–Prek Toal, Boeung Tonle Chhmar and Stung Sen. At all of these sites, Ranger teams conducted monthly patrols and management activities, but there was no standard reporting formats or data readily available on patrol extent, wildlife species recorded or illegal activities encountered. Consequently, managers possessed insufficient information with which to make necessary decisions regarding resource management and protection.Implementation of MIST has served to increase ranger capacity to record standardized data, including training on species identification, and to increase capacity for site-based management, through providing data to site managers and higher Government authorities. Outputs include reports on Ranger patrol coverage and areas visited, as well as wildlife encountered, and standardized indicators that allow trends in patrol activities to be tracked over time. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:58:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15952