action plan 2013 - 2022the starting point for the la palma wbr action plan is a preliminary,...

Action Plan 2013 - 2022

La Palma World Biosphere Reserve

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CRÉDITOSEQUIPO REDACTOR:Textos, diseño gráfico y fotografías: Equipo Técnico de la RMB La Palma.

CONTENTS

BLOCK I GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1. CONCEPTUALISATION 15

2. METHODOLOGY 16

BLOCK II FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE

1. UNESCO 21

2. MAB PROGRAMME 21

3. BIOSPHERE RESERVES 22

4. REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL SCOPE 26

5. LA PALMA, WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE 30

6. SUSTAINABILITY DIAGNOSIS 36

6.1 Situation Indicators of the Island of La Palma 37

6.2 Degree of Compliance of the Seville Strategy 49

6.3 Environmental Services Assessment Report 2010 62

6.4 Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves Indicators 64

BLOCK III CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

1. EMERGINNG CHALLENGES FOR LA PALMA WBR 69

2. THE VISION ON LA PALMA WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE 74

3. MISION OF LA PALMA WBR 76

4. LEITMOTIF OF LA PALMA WBR 83

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On behalf of La Palma World Biosphere Reserve Island Consortium, and as the Chairper-son of this body, I am pleased to present the La Palma WBR Action Plan 2013-2022 to you.

After the tough and innovative tasks of research, analysis and participative reflection, we now have a working guide that has taken on board the feelings of practically all the Admin-istrations, business entities and associations representing La Palma society.

The La Palma WBR Action Plan 2013-2022 is a shared commitment of all the Public Administrations and the people to the island. It is an instrument that aims to articulate all efforts to drive the island by promoting a balance between conciliating the conservation of natural resources and attaining sustainable economic and social development.

Our island is a place of outstanding value, recognised internationally when UNESCO de-clared it a World Biosphere Reserve. The Action Plan is being renewed with a view to main-taining our determination to protect and enhance our ecosystems because of their natural, scientific and economic interest. Hence we aim to continue along the path set out since the original declaration of Los Tilos Biosphere Reserve, by establishing a regional development model that allows us to conserve our natural and cultural values without mortgaging our economic and social development.

The La Palma WBR Action Plan 2013-2022 is seeing the light of day at a very special time and in a very special year: 10 years after UNESCO declared the whole island a World Bio-sphere Reserve. In the course of these ten years, the experience we have acquired has meant that in these times of general difficulties, institutions such as La Palma World Biosphere Reserve Consortium have to act as nodes of innovation to provide new ideas and projects, synergies in the different areas of competence and co-operation to promote projects of general interest by acting as a vector of public utility for the re-orientation, promotion and permanent improvement of the island’s sustainable development strategy, aimed at attain-ing the final objective of improving the lives of the people that inhabit this meeting point.

One only has to remember the predominant role of our island in the context of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, where many of the proposals made by our island have been adopted by different international bodies.

We have reached the conclusions presented in this document after a long process of social participation encompassing institutional, social, economic and territorial stakeholders from both the private and the public sectors, as well as the general citizenry, with a view to ensur-ing that this Action Plan can orient the future and maintain La Palma as a benchmark, as an innovative territory for research, experimentation and development of initiatives that will move us towards a balance between conserving our natural heritage and our economic and social development.

And now it is up to our society and its representative organisations, with the determined and committed efforts of the local institutions, to implement the projects approved, by seeking the necessary resources to turn this ambitious plan into reality. This is a task that has only just begun, but we have a duty to comply with the decisions taken and the strategic commitments that we all consider essential to continue growing as a society on the path to sustainability.

Guadalupe González Taño

Chairperson

La Palma WorldBiosphere Reserve

PROLOGUEBLOCK IV PROGRAMMATIC FRAMEWORK

1. INTRODUCTION 872. OBJECTIVES 873. NEW GOVERNANCE 884. PROGRAMME: SCENARIOS, FIELDS OF INTERVENTION AND

ACTION88

SCENARIO 0: ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT 89

SCENARIO 1: TERRITORIAL FUNCTIONALITY 91

SCENARIO 2: GREEN ECONOMY 95

SCENARIO 3: GALVANISING KNOWLEDGE

SCENARIO 4: PEOPLE AND WELFARE

5. PROGRAMMATIC MATRIX 107

5.1 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT 108

5.2 TERRITORIAL FUNCTIONALITY 109

5.3 GREEN ECONOMY 111

5.4 GALVANISING KNOWLEDGE 113

5.5 PEOPLE AND WELFARE 116

BLOCK V APPROVAL, IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION 121ACRONYMS AND INITIALS

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CONCEPTS 125

REFERENCES 126

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UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MaB) World Network of Biosphere Re-serves was launched in the 1970s. It should be pointed out that the island of La Palma was the first of the Canary Islands, and one of the first Spanish biosphere reserves. On the 30th June 1983, UNESCO declared just over 500 ha a reserve.From then on, the island deserves recognition for the progress it made in becoming a benchmark for sustainable development and in 2002, UNESCO declared the entire island a Biosphere Reserve.

The Spanish Biosphere Reserves form a set facing a broad range of natural, cultural, social, institutional and administrative circumstances that do however, share the vocation of the MaB Programme, which is to attain a sustainable balance between conserving bio-logical diversity, maintaining the associated cultural values and economic development. The reserves are permanent laboratories of sustainable development to provide answers to new economic, social and environmental challenges.

La Palma Biosphere Reserve is an example of making conservation objectives and respect for our natural heritage compatible with the socio-economic development of the territory as a whole. As a result of this work and of appropriate planning, the island of La Palma has been declared a Sustainable Tourism Destination by the Institute of Responsible Tourism, backed by UNESCO and the World Tourism Organisation.

Thus, this reserve is an example to be followed in many aspects and the aim of its Action Plan is to comply in full with the principle of the MaB Programme by overcoming the chal-lenges that have arisen in recent years and by renewing management policies for the next ten years.

The novelties of this Action Plan 2013-2022 include greater attention paid to the resident population and a greater active participation by the citizenry, both of which are vitally important aspects. The leitmotif chosen, “All Voices, All Hands” undoubtedly attempts to reflect the importance of solidarity in such crucial aspects as food sovereignty, re-use and responsible consumption, or health and safety.

We urge the managers of this reserve to take this new Action Plan forward along the same lines that have reaped such success and thus attain the objectives established for the positive development of the reserve and of the Island as a whole.

Begoña Nieto

Director General of Rural Development and Forestry Policy

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment

PROLOGUE

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On the tenth anniversary of La Palma being declared a World Biosphere Reserve, and as the date coincides with the validity of the last Action Plan (2006-2012), the time that has transpired and the profound changes that have occurred in different areas (international, European, national and Canary Island regional) and their logical impacts on society, the environment and the economic system of the island, have made it essential to promote the formulation of new objectives, strategies and actions that delve deeper into the values inherent to the concept of a biosphere reserve and underpin the principles of sustainability in our territory, all of which takes the shape of this La Palma World Biosphere Reserve for the decade 2013-2022.

The starting point for the La Palma WBR Action Plan is a preliminary, systematic and shared diagnosis of the real situation of the island and public participation and the co-op-eration of the citizenry was established as the basic principle of the working methodology to formulate it. A series of emerging global and local challenges that require tackling were associated with this original diagnosis.

This Action Plan, as a document of strategic foundations for the sustainability of the island and for enhancing the quality of life of its inhabitants, is based on the same founda-tions as the UNESCO MaB Programme (Man and the Biosphere Programme) establishes for biosphere reserves and it is built on a shared vision, the evolution of La Palma from a protected area to a an area that protects society, a shared mission in which all voices and all hands are necessary, and a central issue as a common thread running through all the activity to be implemented: the green economy beyond the tangible aspects, in which human beings are a value and the cohesive link of a living space.

The programmatic framework of this action plan encompasses working scenarios, fields of intervention and preferential actions that must act, on the one hand, as multi-purpose tools for tackling the challenges we face with guarantees and, on the other, to consolidate the sustainability strategies and the concept of the biosphere reserve in island society.

Developing and rolling out a new model of governance, based on adaptive management and underpinned by an ethical commitment to reinforce the institutional nature and the genuine organisation of the people-participation paradigm, without losing its character of being a vector of public utility, a meeting place for innovating and managing knowledge and a place of learning and enhancing public-private collaboration, has to be the driving force for a change towards a renewed social commitment.

Finally, I would like to highlight the considerable effort made by the Technical Team of La Palma World Biosphere Management in this broad process of drafting this action plan, above and beyond their job descriptions. I must also mention the excellent contributions made by our Scientific Committee and the Technical Committees and publicly recognise the valuable institutional support we have received from each and every one of the administra-tions on the island. I would like to offer my profound gratitude for the co-operation we have received from organisations and individual people who have selflessly offered us all their valuable experience and wisdom.

Antonio San Blas Álvarez

Manager

La Palma WorldBiosphere Reserve

PROLOGUE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

BLOCK I

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1.1.BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

To fulfil the general purposes established by the UNESCO MaB Programme and other, specific objectives of the island, the second La Palma WBR Action Plan (2006-2012) was drafted in 2006 with a view to moving from the provisions to the actions established in the first Action Plan (2003-2005). This document that is now expiring has been the tool that has guided the steps of La Palma WBR management in the course of these years, steps that have taken the form of programmes and actions that are the results of debate, dialogue, consensus and, in short, of the committed work of experts, a wide range of organisations and ordinary citizens who made a contribution to that Plan. Since then, La Palma WBR has been working with even more conviction and confidence to fulfil its three essential functions: the conservation of biological and cultural diversity, environmentally sustainable social and economic development and logistic support for experimentation, research, train-ing, education and communication.

Although the strategies and actions of the Plan have been fruitful in practise and have reaped several successes, there have also been some ambitions that have not been achieved. However, both the successes and the failures obtained in the course of these years have served to acquire experience and knowledge, and to correct and improve some manage-ment aspects. On the other hand, the concept and characteristics of biosphere reserves, in their attempt to attain more sustainable development, have gradually changed over time, as have the challenges that have been faced.

There are currently many instruments and guidelines for fulfilling our functions and the administrative powers and legal measures in management have been extended, making it urgent for us to adapt.

These new instruments include the World Network of Biosphere Reserves’ Madrid Action Plan, the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves’ Montseny Action Plan and the Action Plan for the Network of National MaB Committees and Biosphere Reserves of Ibero-America and the Caribbean (IberoMaB).

The aim of this in-depth review and renovation is to adapt conservation, development and logistics strategies and actions to the emerging objectives and challenges considered by these higher level plans and also to the real situation of the island, by orienting short, mid and long term management policies on the road to sustainability.

1.2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN

The La Palma WBR Action Plan is an internal management tool that will establish the steps to be taken over the next 10 years. The general objective is to establish the preferential fields and lines of action that will allow for a real and effective application of the concept of Biosphere Reserve through the conservation of its natural resources, fostering the socio-economic development of the local population and the active participation of the different stakeholders involved.

The following are established as specific objectives of this plan:

a) Conduct a diagnosis of the current state of the Biosphere Reserve and the evolution undergone since it was declared. Based on this diagnosis, the needs, priorities and im-provements of present and future management will be identified.

b) Adapt to the Vision, Mission and the Leitmotif of the new period, to the needs and requirements established by the regulatory and institutional framework and by new emerging challenges.

c) Build a consensus to define the set of preferential scenarios, actions and interventions to be carried out over the next 10 years, by promoting the participation of public entities, non-governmental organisations, the scientific community and the private sector and, in general, of all sectors of society, in the search for solutions that enable us to attain the general objective.

1. CONCEPTUALISATION

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of Spanish biosphere reserves forming part of the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves Monitoring Programme (2008-2010), which analyses each of the Spanish biosphere reserves and displays the score of the relevant indicators.

3. Documentation

During this stage, the general documentation of the action plan is drawn up by the experts responsible for this, while the documentation to be discussed (Conceptual Framework and Programmatic Framework) is drawn up at the same time.

Given the importance of designing and rolling out actions that have won the support and consensus of the community, a broad process of participation has been engaged in.

To galvanise and facilitate the work, the beneficiaries have been categorised in one of three main areas right from the very start of the work on drafting the Action Plan:

• Scientific – Technical

• Political - Institutional

• Non-Governmental Associations

In order to take into consideration and include the assessments, contributions and inter-ests of everyone, a series of participation mechanisms have be put in place in different ways, including social media, electronic mail and discussions.

In summary, the steps followed for drawing up the action plan documentation are as fol-lows:

a) Discussions amongst La Palma WBR Technical Team. Based on a study of the reference documentation, a start is made on drawing up the plan by sharing the difficul-ties faced by the management of La Palma WRB and their possible solutions. Working groups are then put together, made up of La Palma WBR experts, thus creating multi-dis-ciplinary groups that construct a global and enriching vision from different perspectives.

b) Drawing up a draft that is referred to the three areas. Once a consensus has been achieved by the La Palma WBR Technical Team concerning the contents, bearing in mind the decisions taken in the previous step, a draft is written up and sent out to the three areas.

c) Drawing up questionnaires. Surveys were conducted on the contents to be worked on, with a view to collecting and enriching the contributions and suggestions of the as-sociations and general public, in line with the discussions.

d) Dissemination. The campaign to disseminate the plan started, in a preliminary phase, using a range of local, regional and national press media and the web site, where links are inserted to provide access to the documentation. The contact and transfer of informa-tion is carried out preferentially by e-mail. On the other hand, Facebook was used, both to invite anyone interested to participate and also to provide access to and disseminate the questionnaires.

e) Deadline for receiving contributions. After sending out the drafts with all the docu-mentation used in the discussions, everyone concerned is notified of the deadline for receiving contributions to be discussed in later discussions within the areas of interest.

f) Discussions with the three areas. After the above deadline has expired, and with a view to promoting a direct exchange of opinions, the contribution of ideas and sharing views and building a consensus on the lines of work to be followed, meetings with the Committee and the Technical Committees of La Palma WBR, the Scientific Committee of the La Palma WBR, with the Political and Institutional Community and with Associa-tions and the public in general are convened.

g) Information Feedback. Throughout the entire stage of drawing up the action plan, especially during the stage of receiving suggestions and during the discussions, all the information received, both by e-mail and from the meeting notes, is gathered together. This information, once systemised, is then returned to all the beneficiary areas.

h) Corrections and the draft. Starting out with the preliminary documents, corrections are made and the contributions are taken on board, systemised and organised. Some of the suggestions are discussed and finally, based on the ideas gathered and other new ideas that arise from these, the documents are consolidated.

i) Project Market. Due to the long period encompassed by the plan and the fact that it is impossible to consider any highly specific activities in it, a project market is established so that all concerned can express their opinions and state their preferences. This is another mechanism for disseminating the projects and ideas of all the associations, businessmen, foundations and the public in general concerning the preferential lines of work and spe-cific actions to be implemented by La Palma WBR.

Footnote 1: Each of these actions is developed in the document La Palma WBR Action Plan 2013-2022 Participation Plan Appendix.

1.3 STRUCTURE

The contents of this document are organised in 5 major blocks:

Block I: General Introduction. This is a presentation of the action plan, its objectives and methodology.

Block II: Framework of Reference. This is a chapter explaining the position and the role of La Palma WBR in the international, regional and local context, describing its legal and institutional setting and a diagnosis of the situation at the outset.

Block III: Conceptual Framework. This chapter concerns the philosophy of the UN-ESCO MaB Programme and of the biosphere reserves, encompassing the Emerging Chal-lenges that attempt to define the challenges and threats faced by the Island.

Arising from these challenges is the Vision that shows where we want La Palma WBR to be in the future; the Mission that lists the steps to follow to attain the vision and the leitmo-tif, the central issue of the La Palma WBR Action Plan for the period 2013-2022.

Block IV: Programmatic Framework. This details the strategic lines that will characterise the management of La Palma WBR over the next 10 years, with a break-down of the indi-vidual scenarios and the top priority fields of intervention.

Block V: Approval, Implementation, Monitoring and Assessment. This rolls out the pro-cedure for the final approval and implementation of the plan and the formula for monitor-ing and assessment that will allow a periodic review of actions to establish the fulfilment of our goals and objectives and to make the pertinent corrections to enhance management efficiency.

The methodology applied in drawing up this Action Plan aims to be dynamic and partici-pative, and it rests on two fundamental elements:

• A substantial adaptation to the new changes arising from the evolution of the con-cept of Biosphere Reserve, which are included in both the regulatory and the insti-tutional framework.

• The process of participation from the initial design phase, with the intervention of several actors with a diverse range of interests, both for the conservation and for the sustainable use of resources.

The stages in which the methodology has been applied, in general terms, are as follows:

1. Planning

A study is made of the reference documentation, the formulation of objectives, the es-tablishment of the methodology, the design of the structure and the preparation of a road map.

2. Diagnosis

The situation at the outset is analysed by conducting a diagnosis of the sustain-ability situation and performance, consisting, first of all of a snap-shot of how the island has evolved over the last 10 years, using a system of monitoring reference indicators; measuring the degree of compliance of the indicators established in the Seville Strategy for WNBR; the Monitoring Report 2010 drafted by the La Palma WBR Environmental Services and an analysis of the situation report on the roll out

Photo: Discussions held during the elaboration of the Action Plan.

2. METHODOLOGY


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BLOCK II

FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE

Diagram 1. Steps followed in the La Palma WBR Action Plan 2013-2022 methodology

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1. UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was founded on the 16th of November 1945, with the objective of propitiating a dialogue among civilisations, cultures and peoples all over the world to help consolidate peace, the eradication of poverty and sustainable development. In November 2011, almost 7 decades after it was created, Unesco has 195 Member States and 8 Associate Members. The governing bodies of Unesco are:

The General Conference This is the highest governing body of Unesco, made up of representatives of all the Organisation’s Member States. Its main functions are to orient and direct the lines to be followed by Unesco, draw up programmes and proposals and to elect the members of the Executive Board and the Director General. Other Associate Members also take part, as observers, in the sessions it holds every two years.

The Executive Board This is made up of 58 representative members of the different regions of the world included in the Organisation, who meet twice a year to monitor implementation of the decisions taken by the General Conference. Its functions and re-sponsibilities derive from the Constitution and from the rules and directives laid down by Unesco and other governmental and non-governmental bodies with similar objectives.

National Commissions Unesco is the only United Nations agency with a world-wide network of national co-operation entities, currently totalling 197 commissions.

These national commissions are created by their respective governments, pursuant to Ar-ticle VII of the Unesco Constitution, and they act permanently to associate their govern-mental and non-governmental organisations, and also act as consultation, information and collaboration bodies with civil society.

Unesco also maintains official relations with over 366 international non-governmental organisations (NGO) and 22 foundations and similar institutions that work in the sphere of competence of the Organisation. Apart from this formal institutional framework, in 2010, there were over 3,800 associations, centres and clubs set up by volunteers of all ages, sexes, races, nationalities and social classes that share a commitment to the Unesco ideals and they work to make them a reality by acting as spokespersons of civil society. This move-ment is represented on an international level by the World Federation of Unesco Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUNA).

2. PROGRAMME MaB

The International “Man and the Biosphere” Programme (MaB) was launched by Unesco in 1971 with the objective of promoting inter-disciplinary research, training and commu-nication in the field of the conservation of ecosystems and the rational use of natural re-sources. With the creation of the figure of the biosphere reserves in 1974, Unesco created an instrument to bring about the aim of the MaB Programme, as biosphere reserves are the ideal places for developing, applying and demonstrating methods and experiences aimed at conserving bio-diversity and the sustainable development of their inhabitants. As its scope is global, the main objectives of the MaB Programme are:

• To identify and assess the changes that occur in the biosphere as a result of human activities and the effects of these changes on human beings and the environment.

• To study and compare the dynamic relations between natural/semi-natural ecosys-tems and socio-economic processes, especially the growing loss of biological and cultural diversity, and their unexpected consequences on the capacity of ecosystems to continue to provide vital environmental services for human welfare.

• To promote the exchange and transfer of knowledge about environmental problems and solutions and foster environmental education for sustainable development.

Footnote 2: Spain became a Member State on 30th January 1953

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ZONING

Moreover, since the Minsk conference, the physical division of biosphere reserves into different zones has also been promoted. This is also included in the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and in the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Act, Law 42/2007, 13th December, Article 67. This is a system of spatial planning made up of the following zones:

Core: where priority is given to the conservation of heritage values such as the wealth of ecosystems and species. These have to be protected natural areas, with the basic objectives of preserving biological diversity and ecosystems, and have appropriate planning, use and management that, basically, will promote these objectives.

Buffer: where the use of the territory is made compatible with the conservation of its natural and cultural attributes. It must allow the integration of the basic conservation of the core zone with environmentally sustainable development in the protected zone by means of the corresponding planning, use and management, which can be specific to the zone or form part of the planning of the respective core zones.

Transition: a more flexible zone that encompasses areas that have suffered greater human impact, of lesser conservation interest and where most human activity takes place. They must act to provide incentives for socio-economic development to enhance the welfare of the population by harnessing the specific resources and potential of the biosphere reserve in a sustainable manner, respecting its objectives and those of the Man and the Biosphere Programme.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria and the procedure for designating an area a biosphere reserve were consoli-dated by the Statutory Framework adopted in 1995 by the Unesco General Conference in a document drawn up at the time called the Seville Strategy. This will be dealt with later. The International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of the MaB Programme studies the proposals and approves a declaration, where appropriate, provided that certain ecological and admin-istrative requisites are met. Article 4 of the Statutory Framework presents the 7 general criteria that must be met by an area to be designated a Biosphere Reserve:

• Be representative of a significant bio-geographic region

• Contain an ecological diversity that requires conserving

• Offer opportunities to study and apply the philosophy of sustainable development

• Be large enough to be able to carry out the functions assigned

• Have an adequate zoning system (core, buffer and transi-tion zone)

• Apply the organisational provisions that facilitate the integration and participation of an adequate range of sectors (regional authorities, local populations and private interests) in the planning and manage-ment of the Biosphere Reserve

• Have taken measures to put management mech-anisms in place

3. BIOSPHERE RESERVES

3.1 THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE CONCEPT

According to the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Re-serves, “Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal/marine ecosystems or a combi-nation thereof, which are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO’s pro-gramme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB)”.

Although the originally proposed concept has evolved over time, the initial phi-losophy focussing on striking a balance between economic and social development and the maintenance of natural and cultural values, remains alive 40 years later. However, it was not until the “First International Conference on Biosphere Re-serves” was held in Minsk (Belarus) in 1983 that an explicit declaration was included in the sense that people should be considered an important part of them. Hence, the Conference enabled the idea to overcome the barriers of a purely scientific notion, by taking on board the participation of governmental institutions, NGOs and local actors. Over the years, there has been an increasing acceptance and recognition of the need to strengthen these ties between conservation and development, and the meaning of biosphere reserve now reflects local and international commitment in the responsible management of natural resources such that this benefits people and their environment. Their territorial dimension also continues to be extended and renewed, with the incorporation of new areas such as the consideration of urban areas and biosphere reserves in constellation or cross-border situations (referring to a combination of several non-contiguous areas that perform their functions).

FUNCTIONS

During this “First International Conference on biosphere reserves”, three comple-mentary functions were stipulated and confirmed, and these were later included in the Seville Strategy, acting as a guide to this day. These functions are:

The MaB Programme also works closely with other international agencies to promote specific results in a range of sustainable development-related aspects (Convention on Bio-logical Diversity, Ramsar Convention for joint and co-ordinated action on wetlands, The International Scientific Research Programme on Biodiversity).

• Conservation: for the preservation of genetic resources, species, ecosystems and landscapes;

• Development: to promote a sustainable economy and human development;

• Logistics: encompassing research, environmental education, skill building and the exchange of information in the areas of conservation and sustainable development at local, regional, national and global level.

Carrying out the functions and attaining the objectives of the biosphere reserves is no easy task, as mechanisms must be found that make it possible to conciliate all the activities car-ried out in a territory, which in some cases are conflicting activities. Hence, it is a question of planning and co-ordinating the territory properly with the essential support and commit-ment of the local population and society as a whole.

Photo: Fruit orchards, Mazo

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SUB-REGIONAL NETWORKS

SPANISH NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES “RERB” (from the Span-ish)

The Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves, set up in 1992, was created to develop a national strategy for promoting and exchanging sustainable development information and experiences among biosphere reserves nationally, thus facilitating their integration in regional development plans and projects, pursuant to the Seville Strategy. By definition, one can say that the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves is a well-defined and recognisable sub-set of the World Network of Biosphere Re-serves, a set of physical units on which the MAB Programme is projected. It cur-rently consists of 40 biosphere reserves, in 15 autonomous communities (Spanish regions) and a wide diversity of environments: mountains, islands, coastal zones, tourist areas, farming areas, wetlands, desserts, mountain ranges, urban areas, etc. Two of these biosphere reserves are cross-border reserves: one an inter-continental one between Europe and Africa, the Inter-continental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean, the first of its kind declared by Unesco, and the other, a Trans-national one between Spain and Portugal, the Gerés-Xures Cross-Border Biosphere Reserve.

The Spanish MaB committee is the advisory and scientific collegiate body, answer-able to the Ministry responsible for environmental affairs, thatboth proposes new areas to be declared biosphere reserves and conducts the corresponding assess-ments, evaluates whether they are in line with the established objectives and strate-gies, and, if necessary, proposes the pertinent corrections.

CANARY ISLAND NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES “RCRB” from the Spanish

The Canary Island Network of Biosphere Reserves was created in 2010, compris-ing the Canary Island biosphere reserves of La Palma (1983), Lanzarote (1993), El Hierro (2000), Gran Canaria (2005), Fuerteventura (2009) and La Gomera (2012). Its objective is to act as a node for innovation, a fountain of new ideas and to generate synergies in the different areas of competence, by driving co-operation to promote sustainability-related projects Network-wide. In order to create a mini-mum common organisational framework to strengthen ties between the different biosphere reserves of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and to contribute to development and co-operation among them, Decree 103/2010 came onto the statute books on the 29th of July to regulate management and administra-tive aspects of the reserves.

The Co-ordinating Council is the collegiate advisory, co-ordination and represent-ative body of the Network, and its main duties include: co-ordinating the Network, developing proposals in matters relating to the objectives and functions of the MaB Programme, promoting new biosphere reserves in the Canary Islands, research, knowledge, dissemination of the values and awareness raising; exchanging in-formation and the implementation of co-operation projects in the biosphere reserves of Europe, Africa and America, harnessing the particularity of the Canary Islands as a tri-continental platform; and advising entities, bodies or agents with functions that have a direct or indirect impact on the biosphere reserves of the Canary Islands.

THEME NETORKS

EAST ATLANTIC NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES “REDBIOS”

The RedBios Network works on developing contacts among biosphere reserves of the Canary Islands (Spain), Madeira and Azores (Portugal), Cape Verde and Santo Tomé y Principe and those of Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea Bis-sau and the Inter-Continental Reserve of the Mediterranean (Spanish-Andalusia / Morocco). It was created in 2000 and is currently made up of a total of 16 Biosphere Reserves (2009), including the Cross-Border Reserve between Sen-egal and Mauritania and the Inter-Continental Reserve between Spain and Mo-rocco. Since then, countless meetings have been held with the participation of representatives of the administrations, biosphere reserves, focal points and MaB Committees from Azores (Portugal), Cape Verde, Canary Islands (Spain), Guin-ea Bissau, Madeira (Portugal), Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal.

3.2. BIOSPHERE RESERVE NETWORKS

WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES

The development of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (hereinafter, WNBR) was an especially fruitful initiative of the MaB Programme, as ever since it arose in the 70s, it has gradually consolidated as a broad network of places for experimenting, perfecting, demonstrating and rolling out its objectives. Networking is the basic support provided to the individual biosphere reserves as a whole, forming a sound unit that works towards global sustainability. Its objective is to achieve fluent communications among all biosphere reserves for the common purpose of harmoniously promoting nature conservation and the integration of peoples. This objective is pursued through a continual exchange of information and know-how, permanent collaboration and the promotion of the activities of joint co-operation, research and monitoring.

Photo: Map of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves

The WNBR is the largest network of protected areas on the planet, with an area of over 5 million square kilometres, the equivalent of half of Europe.

Altogether, there are 563 World Biosphere Reserves, in 110 countries, con-centrating a wide variety of both ecosystems (terrestrial, marine/coastal,

mountain peaks, ocean floors) and cultures. The particularities of each one, in turn, is enormously diverse. An example of this is the wide range of sizes, as they range from the 35 million hectares of La Mata Atlántica, in Brazil, to others covering a mere few hectares.

Apart from the World Network, the MaB Programme promotes the integration of theme and sub-re-

gional networks to generate processes of

co-operation among professionals, managers and other important players who share similar geographic, ecological and/or socio-cultural characteristics. As for La Palma WBR, it currently forms part of the following networks:

REGIONAL NETWORKS

EUROMAB

The EuroMab Network was created in 1987 and is the largest and oldest of the MaB Programme regional networks. It was founded by a co-operation agreement among biosphere reserves of Europe, USA and Canada and it is made up of the National Committees, focal points and biosphere reserves of 52 countries. It cur-rently comprises 262 biosphere reserves in 33 countries, including the countries with the most reserves: Spain, with 40, Russia, with 41 and USA with 47 (May 2009). The network meets twice a year to formulate strategies to help implement the Action Plan in the network, identify priorities with regard to themes and activities for the EuroMaB Network and, in short, share experiences.

IBEROMAB

The IberoMaB Network was established to strengthen and support the World Net-work in the countries of Latin America, Spain and Portugal. It was created in 1992, during the IV National Congress of National Parks and Protected Areas, although it was not formally created until the 2nd Meeting in El Rocío, Spain. The Network is re-sponsible for consolidating the MaB Programme in the countries of Latin America by strengthening their National MaB Committees and by promoting the concept of biosphere reserves. The Network presently includes 148 biosphere reserves in 21 countries (May 2009).

Photo: Marcos y Cordero Trail, San Andrés y Sauces

Photo: Faro Nuevo, FuencalientePhoto: IBEROMaB RERB Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves

Photo: Map of the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves

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articles that include the definition and minimum characteristics that Spanish biosphere re-serves must meet, thus avoiding a dispersion and multiplicity of situations that could occur.

Article 66 lays down the three main objectives of the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves:

a) Maintain a defined and inter-connected set of “natural laboratories”; comparable sta-tions for monitoring relations between human communities and the territories in which they live, with special attention to the processes of mutual adaptation and the changes generated.

b) Ensure an effective and continuous comparison and the transfer of the information thus generated to any applicable scenario.

c) Promote the generalisation of sustainable planning and management models for the territory.

The sustainable development of the rural environment Act, Law 45/2007, 13th December

This law is fully in line with the vision of biosphere reserves and similar interna-tional strategies, fostering an integral approach to the economic, social, environ-mental and global dimensions of sustainability in pursuit of improving the socio-economic situation of the people of rural areas, without losing sight of the regional planning guidelines.

The Protection of the Marine Environment Act, Law 41/2010, 29th December

This law adapts Spanish legislation to Directive 2008/56/CE (Framework directive on marine strategy), going into greater depth in aspects that have not been consid-ered in any detail to date in state legislation. It is, therefore a tool for attaining the protection of, and for maintaining the marine environment in good environmental health by means of coherent planning and regulation of the activities engaged in therein.

REGIONAL

Decree 103/2010, 29th July, regulating certain aspects of the management and administration of biosphere reserves in the Canary Islands, creating the Canary Island Network of Biosphere Reserves and adopting the their Or-ganisation and Operational Regulations

The aim of this decree is to guarantee co-ordination among Canary Island bio-sphere reserves and between these and the Public Administrations, thus helping to promote and permanently improve sustainability strategies in the areas declared biosphere reserves by Unesco as a whole. The articles deal in detail with aspects of both management and administration, such as those referring to the creation, com-position and practical operations of the Co-ordinating Council, which is responsible for driving and propitiating the practical operations of the Canary Island biosphere reserves.

ISLAND

Statutes of the La Palma Biosphere Reserve Island Consortium

On the 8th of June 2009, the latest modification to the Statutes that govern the nature, composition, competences and practical operations of the La Palma World Biosphere Reserve were published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and these Statutes remain in force today. This is a document that establishes the stipulated regulations about its management body, the “La Palma WBR Island Consortium”, defined as a supra-municipal body with a base of asso-ciations, public by nature and a legally recognised entity with full capacity to comply with its purposes, created by the Public Administration of the Autonomous Com-munity of the Canary Islands, the La Palma Island Cabildo (island government) and all the Municipal Councils of the Island, although it is independent of them. This document also establishes the Bodies that govern said Consortium, together with the composition and attributions required of each one.

Decree 71/2011, 11th March that finally adopts the La Palma island Plan-ning Master Plan

The La Palma island Planning Master Plan (PIOLP, from the Spanish) is the general planning instrument for natural resources and the territory of the island of La Palma and its objective is to establish the organisational and use model for the island to guarantee that its sustainable development will drive economic, demographic and professional development, bearing in mind the fact that the island is a Biosphere Reserve. In this sense, it mentions Biosphere Reserves as “living laboratories to carry out an integral task in three areas: conservation of the biodiversity on all scales, economic development that takes the socio-cultural and ecological dimensions into consideration and logistic support for research, education and the exchange of information.” On this aspect, its Planning Re- p o r t highlights several sections concerning this condition.

NETWORK OF ISLANDS AND COASTAL ZONES

The Network of Island and Coastal Zone Biospheres was created in 2009, during the MaB Programme International Co-ordinating Council meeting and is made up of biospheres located on islands and in coastal territories of very different regions throughout the world: Korea, Palau, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Rus-sia, Chile, St. Kitts and Nevis and Ecuador, apart from Spain, where it includes the Biosphere Reserves of Menorca, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma. The foundation of this Network is to raise awareness and recognition at international, national and local level about the importance of nature conserva-tion and sustainable development on islands and in coastal zones with regard to climate change and to facilitate an international exchange of information and co-operation concerning climate change and sustainable development.

RELATED ASSOCIATIONS AND CENTRES

CANARY ISLAND UNESCO CENTRE

Created in 2003 from the initiative of a group of entities sensitive to the issues that UNESCO promotes, the Canary Island Unesco Centre is a non-profit making civil association whose main objectives are to disseminate the ideals, activities and documents of UNESCO; pro-mote and help to consolidate the Culture of Peace; act as mediator between UNESCO, the international community and Canary Island society by reporting contributions of general interest in areas such as culture, heritage, science and sustainable development; promote co-operation and development projects and provide UNESCO with technical support to implement international co-operation activi-ties. This is an entity recognised by the Spanish Co-operation Com-mission for UNESCO.

4. REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL AREA

This chapter describes the regulatory and institutional framework pertaining to the La Palma WBR on an international, national, regional and island level.

4.1 REGULATORY AREA

INTERNATIONAL

Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves

The Statutory Framework was created in 1995 during the second world meeting of bio-sphere reserves with a view to enhancing the efficiency of the different biosphere reserves and to strengthening knowledge, communications and co-operation on a regional and inter-national level. It is document that is still in force and its provisions include a definition of the concept of a Biosphere Reserve, it promotes the operation of the World Network and participation on different levels, it indicates the procedures for designating, co-ordinating and promoting biosphere reserves, and it establishes a periodic review of the reserves to ensure that they comply with the criteria established.

STATE

Royal Decree 342/2007, 9th March, regulating the implementation of the functions of the MaB Programme and the Spanish Committee of said programme, through the Autonomous National Parks Agency

This Decree establishes the scope of the functions of both the MaB Programme and the Spanish Committee, incorporating a new regulatory framework for the current Committee that consecrates the institutional presence of the Spanish National Co-operation Commis-sion with Unesco and the biosphere reserves and the participation of representatives of the national, regional and local public administrations and other social sectors, public or private, associated with the processes of sustainable development.

The Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Act, Law 42/2007, 13th December

This law establishes a basic legal regimen for conservation, sustainable use, improvement and restoration of the natural heritage and biodiversity, which is especially important for biosphere reserves as it recognises them in Spanish law. Hence, taking into consideration the guidelines and standards required by Unesco, chapter one of Title IV presents several

Photo: Fern shoot (Pteriumaquilinum)Photo: Los Tilos Waterfall, San Andrés y Sauces

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REGIONAL

Action Plan for the Network of National MaB Committees and Biosphere Reserves of Latin America and the Caribbean (IberoMaB) for the period 2010-2020

The IberoMab Action Plan, hereinafter IAP, came about in November 2010, dur-ing the Latin American Conference on Biosphere Reserves held in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, which brought together managers and directors of biosphere reserves of Latin America and the Caribbean, Focal Points and representatives of the Nation-al MaB Committees, among others. Its aim is to prioritise efforts and consolidate strengths in the face of the profound changes that have occurred globally, and espe-cially regionally, and it has established the following specific objectives:

a) Demand a role for the Latin American and Caribbean biosphere reserves for sustain-able development on a regional scale.

b) Move forward in fulfilling the functions of the biosphere reserves and strengthen the strands that make them laboratories for sustainable development and adaptation in the face of global change in Latin America and the Caribbean.

c) Initiate a new stage of the Network with a common course of sustainable develop-ment based on biodiversity on a regional scale.

STATE

Montseny Action Plan 2009-2013 of the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves

This is the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves’ (RERB, from the Spanish) Action Plan, drawn up on the basis of a process of participation with the intervention of members of the Council of Managers, the Scientific Council and the Spanish MaB Committee. Based on the MAP, this new Plan adopts the principles, challenges and objectives established therein and it proposes, in turn, facilitating their adaptation and application in the Spanish context. This plan considers the need to reinforce certain areas of intervention to bring them in line with the progress of the MaB Programme and the new mechanisms created to carry out its objectives. The Montseny Action Plan (MOAP) presents a broad range of actions and interventions that are grouped into 4 main strands: adaptive management; com-munication; science and skill building; and co-operation and associations.

The priority objectives established in this plan can be summarised as follows:

a) Bring zoning the operational structure of those biosphere reserves that do not meet the requisites of the Seville Strategy in line.

b) Roll out a communication campaign to publicise biosphere reserves and their contri-butions, both in and beyond their own territories.

c) Establish communication and lines of collaboration between the Spanish biosphere reserves and the scientific sector.

d) Support and promote the development of quality economies and modes of com-mitment of the different kinds of social stakeholders to the principles of the biosphere reserves.

e) Communicate the teachings of the WNBR concerning the practise of more sustain-able development to decision-makers and planners.

f) Continue, and strengthen Spanish participation in regional and theme networks of the MaB Programme.

4.2. INSTITUTIONAL AREA

INTERNATIONAL

Seville Strategy

The Seville Strategy came about in March 1995, during the second world conference of biosphere reserves held in Seville. It is a reformulation of the action plan drawn up after the first international conference on biosphere reserves held in Minsk in 1984. The Seville Con-ference concluded that, despite the problems and constraints occurring in the application of the concept of the Biosphere Reserve, the programme as a whole had been innovative and it had been an undisputed success.

However, it established that biosphere reserves should help to preserve and maintain natu-ral and cultural values. The foundation for this had to be correct scientific evidence and cultural creativity, and the whole World Network had to act as an integrating instrument that helps to create greater solidarity among the peoples and the nations of the world.

Seville +5

This is the name given to the 1st International Meeting held in Pamplona in October 2000, concerning compliance with the Seville Strategy. After reviewing, analysing and sharing experiences acquired over the first five years of application, everything that was debated in the 10 working panels created was compiled and summarised. The result of this was a series of recommendations for each of the Main Objectives of the Seville Strategy. These suggestions were later adopted by the MaB International Co-ordinating Council during the 16th session held in November in Paris. During this meeting, special attention was paid to the establishment and practical operations of cross-border biosphere reserves and to the

Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring Programme (BRIM).

Madrid Action Plan

After more than a decade since the Seville Conference, a range of problems of global impact have arisen and intensified that have made it necessary to adapt the initial MaB Programme.

For this reason, the Madrid Action Plan (hereinafter, MAP) came about in 2008, adopted in Madrid during the III World Biosphere Reserve Conference. This Plan establishes the road map to be followed by the World Network to make biosphere reserves the main areas devoted to sustainable development in the 21st century by 2013. The plan articulates a series of actions, objectives, success indicators, associations and other development strategies, apart from an assessment framework, grouped into four main themes: co-operation, man-agement and communication; zoning; science and skill building; and associations.

The contributions of the Madrid Action Plan include highlighting the enormous potential of biosphere reserves to address current global problems and their capacity for developing and applying sustainable development approaches in different contexts, especially concern-ing the main emerging challenges that the MAP considers: climate change, the provision of services by ecosystems and urbanism as the main pressure element on ecosystems. In broad terms, we could say that the general objectives of the MAP are the following:

a) To consolidate the MaB programmes of research, training, skill building and demon-stration at the interface between the interactions of conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity, adapting to climate change and its mitigation, and the welfare of human communities;

b) To facilitate the use of the WNBR as places of learning for sustainable development, promoting co-operation among all sectors of society (academics, politicians, communi-ties, etc.).

c) To compile, examine, synthesise and disseminate the experience acquired by the MaB Programme and the WNBR and their actions, with a view to achieving global objectives, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

d) To contribute to the appearance of a new generation of professionals who can act as ambassadors and managers/co-ordinators for building bridges between the global envi-ronmental programmes and the aspirations of local and national development.

Photo: Diptera: Sirphidae Family Photo: Canary Island Bell Flower (Canarinacanariensis)

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NATURAL HERITAGE

There is an enormous diversity of flora in La Palma, due to its geographic isolation and its complex terrain structure. Forming part of the different plant communities, from the spurge-cactus spurge to the Alpine scrub, the laurel forest and the pine forest, including many species that are not only endemic to the Canary Islands, but also to La Palma. Hence, 173 of the 879 species of vascular flora to be found on the island are taxa that are only found on La Palma – 20% of the total.

The fauna is characterised by the large number of exclusive genus, species and sub-species. The discovery of new species for science is currently a common occurrence. The inverte-brate family is dominated by the arthropods, especially beetles, and by molluscs (with over 60% of them endemic species).

The native vertebrates include reptiles and bats, such as the La Palma Canary Lizard (Gal-lotiagallotipalmae) and the amazing Canary Island long-eared bat (Plecotusteneriffae). But the most abundant group is the bird group, with typical species such as the chough (Pyr-rhocoraxphrrhocorax barbarous), the natural symbol of the island, the endemic laurel pi-geons (Columba bolli and C. junoniae) and many other sub-species that are exclusively found on La Palma.

The marine flora and fauna is no less important. From a bio-geographic point of view, the strategic position of the island determines that, as in the rest of the archi-pelago, there are both temperate and tropical water species to be found living next to each other. The length of the coastline, some 225 km, together with the rich and varied coastal morphology, means that there are representatives of a large number of communities. However, the small sub-litoral platform means that most of the area in which these litoral communities can settle is reduced and most of them are to be found between +5 m and -50m- The size of the pelagic systems is worth men-tioning however, as the Canary Islands are on one of the main migratory routes (e.g. tuna, cetaceans, turtles). Moreover, as deep water can be found close to the coast, deep water species rise up to the shallows during their circadian rhythms, to tempo-rarily become part of the litoral ecosystems.

Photo: Mountain broom (Genistabenehoavensis) Photo: Spotted Burrfish (Chilomycterusatringa)

5.2 CONSERVATION VALUES AND SOCIO-CULTURAL CHARACTERISA-

TION

With its 708 km2 of land and a large submarine volcanic edifice, La Palma WBR houses a good representation of the characteristic ecosystems of the Macaronesia region in an excellent state of conservation, from the abyssal depths of the Atlantic to the highest point of the Island, Roque de Los Muchachos, at 2,426m.

*Source: Canary Island Biodiversity Data Base “BIOTA” (Izquierda et al, 2009)

Its values include:a) The presence of highly important geological and geomorphic elements.

b) An abundance of water resources, of great functional, social and economic importance.

c) Large forested area (39.5% of the area of the island).

d) High degree of endemic species of flora and fauna, with various species in one or an-other threatened category.

e) Good representation of Canary Island ecosystems, especially pine forest and laurel for-est.

f) Great archaeological and historic heritage.

g) High quality of the night sky

h) Landscape, flora and fauna of high value for tourism uses.

5. LA PALMA, WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE

5.1 HISTORY

La Palma became the first Spanish island to have a biosphere reserve in 1983, when 511 hectares of the “El Canal y Los Tilos” property were declared as such. Despite being the smallest Spanish Biosphere Reserve in terms of area, it did house a highly interesting sam-ple of laurel forest, a relict forest from the Tertiary Age. In 1998, the reserve was extended to include the north-east arc of the Island, increasing the area to a total of 13,931.15 hec-tares (10.67% of the whole island)

Finally, on the 6th of November 2001, in a Plenary Session of UNESCO’s International Co-ordinating Council, La Palma World Biosphere Reserve was established as we know it today. This final extension included the entire land area of the island – 70,832 ha – and part of the marine environment with an area of 9,870 ha, giving a total area of 80,702 ha. The 14 municipal boroughs of the Island form part of the present La Palma WBR.

Photo: Fajana de Franceses, Garafía

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SOCIO-ECONOMICS OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE

According to official figures of the National Statistics Bureau, La Palma World Biosphere Reservehad a population of 87,163 inhabitants in 2012, 43% of which are concentrated in the boroughs of Santa Cruz de La Palma and Los Llanos de Aridane. Traditionally, the is-land economy has been almost exclusively based on export farming, basically banana grow-ing, and moderate growth has been seen in the tourist sector too, especially rural tourism.

Farming, livestock and gastronomy are concepts that go together here. From a past of subsistence farming, livestock and cuisine, the island has shifted towards traditional, high-quality agriculture and cuisine, without losing that cultural identity that has been passed down from their forefathers. Crops like the banana, grape vines, potatoes, cereals, fruit, avocado pears, etc. still maintain a major presence on La Palma. In recent years, demand for high-quality products has also driven the expansion of organic produce and organic farm-ing is of increasing importance.

The Island of La Palma, declared a Sustainable Tourism Destination, has opted for a dif-ferent, quality kind of tourism, with nature tourism acting as its cornerstone. The climate, with very pleasant temperatures all year round, the large number of protected natural areas, including La Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the extensive network of trails, the qual-ity accommodation supply and a wide variety and number of resources make La Palma the ideal holiday destination.

With regard to the economic situation, it is worth mentioning the commercial and busi-ness progress that the Island has made thanks to improved transport facilities for both cargo and people, without forgetting the small but flourishing craft industry that produces articles such as embroidery, cigars, basketwork and pottery.

Photo: rural farming landscape (El Tablado) Photo: coastal path (Garafia)

CULTURAL HERITAGE AND LANDSCAPE

The chronicles of the great travellers who reached the Island praised the qualities of the La Palma landscape, which not only tried to inspire the imagination of the Europeans of the time with suggestive references such as the “abysses of La Caldera de Taburiente”, “the wild and moving cliffs of the north” or “the sinister jaws of the Volcanoes of Cumbre-Vieja”, but also tried to convey the singularity and rarity of the landscapes seen here.

The importance of the natural values of La Palma becomes manifest in the large area of protected space, which accounts for 51% of the territory. The exuberant vegetation, the whimsical forms of the relief, and even the clarity of its sky, are qualities that have only served to gain prestige for the Island. The same is not true of the cultural elements however, which, despite including a wide variety of manifestations, have always been the undiscovered jewels in the crown for visitors.

Evidence of this are the interesting and spectacular manifestations of the pre-Hispanic phase, with over 200 rock engraving stations scattered over all the different geographic ar-eas and altitudes, from the sea shore to the highest mountain peaks. The inventories made over the last thirty years have made La Palma the richest of all the Canary Islands, with the discovery of over 4,000 pre-Hispanic sites (despite the fact that over 50% of the island has not yet been covered).

The varied cultural sites are the result of the ingenuity and determination of the people of La Palma, who have carved a highly complex territory, especially during times of greatest suffering. It is in the agricultural landscape, constructed on slopes and badlands, where La Palma conserves outstandingly beautiful elements of great personality, which only enhance its scenic value even further, while generating a profound sense of identity among the island population.

Photo: Sun-shaped engravings at the La Fajana station (El Paso)

Photo: Caves of archaeological interest Las Tricias, Garafía

Photo: Choughs (Pyrrhocoraxpyr-rhocorax barbarous)

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B/ A management body responsible for developing strategies, lines of action and pro-grammes. Ever since it was declared as such, La Palma WBR has had a management body responsible for developing strategies, lines of actions and programmes. This is known as the “La Palma WBR Island Consortium”. The consortium is made up of representatives of a series of public administrations: the Public Administration of the Autonomous Com-munity of the Canary Islands (Regional Government), the La Palma Island Cabildo (Island Government) and all the municipal councils of the island of La Palma.

The mechanisms to administrate, co-ordinate and integrate its programmes and activities have been established with the following bodies:

• General Assembly. This is the highest decision-making body.• Board of Directors. This is the executive body of La Palma WBR.• Chairperson. This is the representative of La Palma WBR• Deputy Chairperson. To substitute the Chairperson.• Manager. The management body

Apart from these governing bodies, La Palma WBR has support and advisory bodies, such as:

• Scientific Council. A scientific advisory body made up of people from different specialities.

• Technical Committee. Technical advisory body made up of outside experts from different disciplines.

• Technical Commissions. Technical Commission on Biodiversity, Technical Com-mission on Landscape and Technical Commission on Tourism.

• Sector Councils. There is a sector council of the La Palma WBR Brand.• Council of Goodwill Ambassadors. Well known people with links to La Palma

World Biosphere Reserve.

The existence of this Consortium has made it possible to involve the different regional, island and local public authorities, together with different sectors, social groups and general public who, over the years, have all made a contribution and have participated to a greater or lesser extent, in its management.

C/ Specific strategies for working towards the established objectives, with their cor-responding action programme. This requisite was met when La Palma WBR drew up its Action Plan in 2003 covering a ten-year period, and this is now undergoing a process of evaluation and reformulation on its way towards applying and developing the “Biosphere Reserve” concept.

5.3 CHARACTERISTICS

As per the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and also pursuant to the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Act, Law 42/2007, 13th December, Arti-cle 67, La Palma World Biosphere Reserve presently complies with the applicable Unesco guidelines and standards, as it has:

A/ zoning consisting of:

- Core Zones, made up of protected natural areas whose basic objectives are to preserve the biological diversity and the ecosystems, and the planning instruments have also been approved. These areas presently cover the areas of greatest environmental quality, which on land are the Nature Parks, Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Park, encompassing 12.27% of the area of the island and of the Biosphere Reserve. In the sea, the core zone coincides with the La Palma Marine Reserve Integral Zone and accounts for 0.91% of the La Palma WBR.

- Buffer Zone or core zone protection zone, that allows an integration of the basic conservation of the core zones with environmentally sustainable development in the buffer zones by means of the corresponding regional planning, use and management. On land, this amounts to 56.74% of the area, while at sea, it accounts for 3.66% of the total Biosphere Reserve.

- Transition Zones in which incentives can be offered to socio-economic development to enhance the welfare of the population by harnessing the potential and the specific resources of the Biosphere Reserve, in a sustainable manner, respecting their objectives and those of the Man and the Biosphere Programme. This zone accounts for 40.71% of the area. Practically all productive activities take place in this area and it is the specific area of application for the La Palma Sustainable Development Plan and the Rural De-velopment Plan that have been generated within the framework of the European Union Leader Initiative.

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Photo: Hay barn in a farming area, Puntagorda

6. SUSTAINABILITY DIAGNOSIS

SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT AND REPORT

Any Action Plan must have a diagnosis of the situation and performance of sustainability in order to understand and analyse the realities of La Palma WBR, not just at any given mo-ment in time, by providing a snap shot of the island, but also to provide greater insight into the performance of the most important indicators over time.

This task is fulfilled in this document by means of:

1. A progressive snap shot of the island over the last 10 years with a system that monitors benchmark indicators, together with a Socio-Environmental Situation Report 2002-2012 (APPENDIX II).

2. A gauge to measure to what degree La Palma WBR complies with the indicators pro-posed by the Seville Strategy in order to move the strengthening of the figure of the Biosphere Reserve forward globally (APPENDIX III).

3. A Progress Report on La Palma WBR Environmental Services 2010, which is also included in this Plan (APPENDIX IV).

4. The degree to which the Spanish biosphere reserves of the Spanish Network of Bio-sphere Reserves (2008-2010) have met their targets, analysing each of the 40 biosphere reserves of Spain and presenting a scoring of the important indicators (APPENDIX V).

All of this gives us a broad view of the exact situation of the island, detecting handicaps, constraints and potential, while at the same time allowing a better and more complete ana-lytical perception of La Palma society, zooming in on the keys to the present situation and designing a modern and operative future strategy.

6.1 Situation Indicators 2002-2012

To address an Action Plan it is essential to have first-hand knowledge of the cur-rent situation of the territory in which the most important economic, social and environmental variables are going to play out and be seen, and which provide a true image, not just of the present situation, but also of how it has evolved over time. For this reason, a system of indicators has been designed that measures the perfor-mance of important variables such as population, the different economic sectors, biodiversity, tourism and employment, among others, over a period from 2002 to 2012.

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6.2 Degree of Compliance with Seville Strategy

Biosphere reserves were conceived to conciliate biodiversity conservation, the search for sustainable economic and social development and maintaining the as-sociated cultural values. In order to meet these objectives, UNESCO organised the Seville Conference, where a statutory framework was designed that stipulates the conditions for the WNBR to operate properly and drew up a strategy with recom-mendations to follow internationally, nationally and by each Biosphere Reserve in-dividually.

La Palma WBR has drawn up a review of the degree of compliance of the differ-ent recommendations for the biosphere reserve to see the degree of compliance of the objectives set. The latest review drawn up in 2012 is presented below, with the degree of fulfilment and a summary of the actions that have been propitiated, a document that is developed in greater detail in APPENDIX III.

LA PALMA BIOSPHERE RESERVE(June 2012)

APPLICABLE INDICATORS

FOR EACH BIOSPHERE RESERVESeville Strategy Reference

Study of the interests of the parties involved II. 1.5Identification of the factors that contribute to the deterio-ration of the environment and to non-sustainable use II. 1.6

Evaluation of the reserve’s natural products and services II. 1.7Definition of incentives for conservation and sustainable use by the local population II. 1.8

Preparation of equitable benefit distribution plans II. 1.9Establishment of mechanisms for administration, co-ordi-nation and integration of reserve activity programmes II. 2.3, IV. 1.10, 12

Establishment of a local consultation system II. 2.4Installation of regional demonstration sites II. 3.3Application of co-ordinated research and observation plans III. 1.8; III. 2.4

Establishment of functional data management systems III. 1.9; III. 2.7Use of reserve to design and test permanent observation methods III. 2.5,

Use of reserve to design sustainability indicators applicable to local population III. 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7

Participation of locals interested in education, skill building and permanent observation programmes III. 3.5; III. 4.5

Production of information material for visitors III. 3.6Establishment of education centres in the reserve III. 3.7Use of the reserve for in situ skill building activities III. 4.4Existence of a local skill building programme III. 4.5 and 4.6Localisation and mapping of the different zones IV. 1.10

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Re-definition of buffer and transition zones, if necessary, to preserve the core zone and sustainable development IV. 1.12

Participation of local community in planning and adminis-tering the reserve IV. 1.14

Fostering private sector initiatives to establish and main-tain sustainable activities from an environmental and social point of view

IV. 1.15

Production of information and promotion material for the reserve IV. 2.21

Formulation of strategies to raise funds from companies, non-governmental organisations and foundations IV. 2.22

Establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the applica-tion of the Seville Strategy IV. 2.23

STRATEGY

MAIN OBJECTIVE II:

USE BIOSPHERE RESERVES AS A MODEL IN REGIONAL PLAN-NING AND AS PLACES OF EXPERIMENTING SUSTAINABLE DE-VELOPMENT

Objective II 1: Win the support and participation of the local populations.

Recommendations for each individual biosphere reserve:

Indicator 1 ReferenceStudy of the interests of the parties involved II. 1.5

YES NO

Fulfilment of indicator by LPWBR X

1 2 3 4 5

Fulfilment of indicator by LPWBR X

La Palma WBR is a consortium of administrations that is made up of all the lo-cal administrations (Municipal Councils of La Palma and Island Cabildo) and the Regional Administration (Canary Island Government). This management model means that La Palma WBR is in permanent contact with all the actors that plan and take decisions on the decisions of the administration. There are fluid commu-nications among all the administrations and La Palma WBR and this means that the reserve acts as a link in all their interests. That is why it goes further, as the population and their quality of life are the raison d’être of any biosphere reserve. In this sense, all actions and projects rolled out are always carried out with a view to protecting the population and its interests and, therefore, one can say that La Palma WBR is in permanent contact with all parties involved to ensure that all interests are shared.

Indicator 2 ReferenceIdentification of factors that contribute to the deterioration of the environment and non-sus-tainable use

II. 1.6

YES NO

Fulfilment of the indicator by La Palma WBR X

1 2 3 4 5

Degree of fulfilment of the indicator by La Palma WBR

X

Many of the activities and projects conducted in La Palma WBR identify the fac-tors that contribute, or may contribute, to the deterioration of the environment and to a non-sustainable use of biological resources. Once these factors or situa-tions are identified, measures are established to correct them.

Many of La Palma WBR activities meet this indicator:

o The Sustainability for the Island of La Palma Observatory and its Diag-noses, which study all the factors that have an impact on the island from an economic, social environmental and town planning point of view.

o The Pasapal Project that identifies all the environmental problems from a landscape point of view.

o The MarcoPalma Project: Sustainable Use, exploitation and planning of the natural resources of the Island of La Palma.

o The ImpactoPalma Project that catalogues and inventories all perceptible impacts from communication routes of La Palma.

o Etc.

Indicator 3 ReferenceEvaluation of natural products and services of the BR

II. 1.7

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

The La Palma WBR has been working for many years on the UNESCO Quality Economies Programme and the Sustainable Tourism Programme. The former of these has meant that much has already been done in creating and developing the La Palma World Biosphere Reserve Brand for the products of the Island of La Palma. In the first stages of the project, an assessment was made of all the products and the most important and representative ones were characterised. The Brand was then developed and the different terms and conditions were estab-lished that each of the products had to meet to use the label. These conditions have always been aimed at protecting the products and services made and pro-vided on La Palma with local resources and materials.

On the other hand, La Palma WBR also takes part in a tourist certification pro-gramme for accommodation services, restaurants and leisure services, which has led La Palma to being declared a Sustainable Tourism Destination and it has joined the Spanish Biosphere Reserves’ Tourist Product Club. All these actions manage to assess, enhance and develop all these services provided on La Palma.

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Indicator 4 ReferenceDefine incentives for the conservation and sus-tainable use by local populations

II. 1.8

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR is working to strike a balance between the first 2 functions that UNESCO tasks biosphere reserves with, to whit, conservation and development. Many activities and projects are rolled out for this purpose and things will not change in the future. La Palma WBR ismoving towards a change of mentality from protected areas to protecting areas, that is, where the population is placed at the centre of the equation. This does not mean that conservation of the territory is neglected; on the contrary, improving conservation and the sustainable use of resources always leads to quality of life for its inhabitants.

To provide the population with an incentive for conservation and sustainable use, projects such as the La Palma Biosphere Reserve Label have been rolled out in which member products meet its sustainable use conditions while producers re-ceive the benefits of labelling their products with this quality label. Several editions of the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development Prizes have been held, the AGROACTIVA Project that improved island farming and livestock infrastructures, hence providing an incentive for their correct use, or the Sustainable Tourism Programme that offers incentives to actors that make a sustainable use of their companies, and others.

Indicator 5 ReferencePreparation of equitable benefit distribution plans

II. 1.9

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR is a non-profit making organisation that works with all interested parties to guarantee that the benefits obtained from exploiting natural resourc-es are distributed as equitably as possible. That is why we work together with producers and crafts people in the Quality Economies Programme, encouraging members to sign up to the La Palma Biosphere Reserve Label by helping them to promote their products, advising them and also by helping with the direct sales of their products. La Palma WBR is constantly collaborating with other entities and constantly attends and takes part in trade fairs, trade missions, etc.

Work has been done to improve the facilities of the agro-livestock sector with the AGROACTIVA Programme, in the tourist sector with the Certification Pro-gramme and by joining the Spanish Biosphere Reserves’ Tourist Product Club, we also provide support for this sector to improve quality and boost promotion.

Moreover, the Socio-economic Galvanisation Programme also works on several projects to foster the hiring of local personnel and labour that, in turn, leads to sustainable activities such as the eradication of pennisetumcetaceum, the improve-ment of trails and the improvement of the wine-growing sector.

Objective II 2: Attain a harmonious adjustment between different zones of the bio-sphere reserve and their interactions.


Indicator 6 ReferenceEstablishment of mechanisms for administer-ing, co-ordinating and integrating the BR pro-grammes and activities

II. 2.3, IV 1.10, 12

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR has set up a Consortium to meet its purposes, a Consortium made up of the Public Administration of the Canary Island Autonomous Community, the La Palma Island Cabildo (Island Government) and the Municipal Councils of the island of La Palma. The mechanisms for administering,co-ordinating and integrating its programmes and activities have been established with the following bodies:

a) General Assembly. The top decision-making body

b) The Board of Directors, the body that administers La Palma WBR

c) The Chairperson

d) The Deputy Chairperson

e) The Manager, the management body

Apart from these governing bodies, La Palma WBR has advisory bodies to help in management. These include:

a) Scientific Council, a scientific advisory body made up of people with different specialities

b) Technical Committee, a technical advisory body made up of external experts from different disciplines

c) Technical Commissions. There are 3 technical commissions: Technical Commission on Biodiversity, Technical Commission on Landscape and the Technical Commission on Tourism

d) Sector Councils

e) Council of Ambassadors. Famous personalities with ties to the island of La Palma.

Indicator 7 ReferenceEstablishment of a local consultation system II. 2.4

YES NOFulfilment of the indicator by La Palma WBR X

1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR is in permanent contact with the local economic and social stake-holders, with different local and island administrations and it works with them on many projects and actions. This is an excellent system of close communication and exchange, but it does not exist organically beyond the governing, support and advisory bodies of La Palma WBR and its actions and the work that is done jointly.

Some years ago, there was a local consultation structure created by means of the Local Agenda 21 in which La Palma WBR took part, but its continuity over time has been insufficient. However, all projects rolled out by La Palma WBR have a public participation programme and they have the collaboration of the popula-tion.

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Objective II 3: Integrating biosphere reserves in regional planning


Indicator 8 ReferenceOrganising regional forums and setting up re-gional demonstration sites

II. 3.3

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR, through its advisory bodies, acts as a forum for study and knowl-edge for the socio-economic and environmental problems of the island of La Palma. Moreover, in drawing up the La Palma WBR Action Plans and other Pro-grammes, such as the biodiversity and landscape plans, work panels are set up where actors from a variety of fields are convened to discuss, study and build a consensus on future tasks or the direction La Palma WBR should take. Another way of reaching out to La Palma society is by means of the workshops, courses, talks, etc. that are organised by or in which La Palma WBR takes part, and using new technological tools via Facebook or Youtube, where La Palma WBR has an up-to-the-minute profile.

La Palma WBR also has a research and study centre in the Los Tilos Visitors’ Centre, where researchers from all over the world can go to work on biological resources.

MAIN OBJECTIVE III:

USE BIOSPHERE RESERVES FOR RESEARCH, PERMANENT OBSERVA-TION, EDUCATION AND SKILL BUILDING

Objective III 1: Increase knowledge of the interactions between human beings and the biosphere

Recommendations for each individual biosphere reserve

Indicator 9 ReferenceImplementation of co-ordinated research and observation plans

III. 1.8; III 2.4

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

Ever since the whole island was declared a biosphere reserve, La Palma WBR has being drawing up annual and mid-term research plans, with the creation of re-search, and co-ordinated observation and monitoring prizes focusing on fulfilling the 3 functions, with special attention paid to the conservation function.

The Sustainability Observatory and its system of indicators is the tool with which La Palma WBR acquires real, historic and up-to-date knowledge of all the really important economic, environmental, social and town planning data to attain a broad and extensive view of its situation. The Observatory is a Programme that is up-dated every year and, moreover, offers comparisons with other territories, making it a powerful tool for knowledge.

Indicator 10 ReferenceEstablishment of functional data management systems

III. 1.9; III 2.7

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR uses the Island of La Palma Sustainability Observatory to estab-lish a permanent observation and data management system that provides annual information on the current state of the Biosphere Reserve territory and compares it with previous years. This instrument makes available real, up-to-the-minute in-sight into economic, environmental, social and town planning matters of the is-land and its municipal boroughs and their respective comparative situation. Apart from the Sustainability Observatory, each project that is implemented also has its own system of indicators and even the Action Plan has its own set. With all of this, it can be said that all the data acquired during the WBR’s work is managed correctly and functionally, rationally and it serves as common knowledge for all the work of La Palma WBR and of society in general.

With regard to the projects that have been or are being implemented focusing on local problems, degraded ecosystems, soil conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, the marine environment, etc., this is one of the foundations that under-pins thework of La Palma WBR:

a) Landscape Plan

b) MarcoPalma

c) Invasive Exotic Species

d) ImpactoPalma Project

e) Etc.

Objective II 2: Improve the activities of permanent observation


Indicator 11 ReferenceUse the BR to design and test permanent obser-vation methods

III. 2.5

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR covers the activity of permanent observation of the sustainability and quality of life of its inhabitants through its annual Sustainability Observa-tory. Since 2009, weather, pollution and climate change reports have been studied thanks to the new systems and stations that have been established by the Canary Island Government on the Island of La Palma. Moreover, the work that is done in observing the biological diversity through the projects that have been rolled out and continue to be rolled out, to study the current state of knowledge concern-ing land and marine biodiversity and collect data on the current situation of that biodiversity.

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Indicator 12 ReferenceUse the BR to design sustainability indicators applicable to local populations

III. 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR has a system of indicatorswhose main objective is to collect all the information on the Island of La Palma that is scattered all over, analyse it, sys-temise it and draw up an easily understandable document of true and up-to-date information that offers a snap-shot of the current situation, how it has varied in comparison with previous years and a comparison between the boroughs of the Island and the Island itself and other territories. The different Sustainability Ob-servatories published since 2005 deal with economic, environmental, social and planning data and do the task of providing real monitoring of them all.

Objective III 3: Foster education, public awareness and participation.


Indicator 13 ReferenceParticipation of interested local in education, skill building and permanent observation pro-grammes

III. 3.5; III 4.5


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR has always had an awareness-raising and environmental pro-gramme that places special emphasis on school children and the new generations. This task is not just left at that, it is also extended to the public in general. Con-sideration is always given to explaining the work that has been done in La Palma WBR, using the method of open participation.

On the other hand, many of La Palm WBR actions and projects directly build the skills of the interested local population through courses, workshops, talks, etc. that are organised to cover a wide range of areas (tourism, biodiversity, farming, marketing, new technologies, etc.)

Indicator 14 ReferenceProduction of information material for visitors III. 3.6


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR is constantly producing information material, not just for visitors to the Island, but also for the local population. The publishing of leaflets, flyers, posters the official gazette of La Palma WBR, guides, etc., keeps the population permanently informed of what it means to be a Biosphere Reserve and the work that is done to fulfil the functions assigned to it.

Another efficient way of keeping the La Palma population and visitors informed is by means of the La Palma World Biosphere Reserve Web Site, where all the information on the Island and its declaration as a Biosphere Reserve and the up-dates of the Facebook and Youtube profiles are posted.

Indicator 15 ReferenceEstablishment of educational centres in the BR III. 3.7


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR has a Research and Interpretation Centre in Los Tilos (San Andrés y Sauce) that has the facilities that enhance the education of visitors, locals and school children with regard to being a biosphere reserve, its zones, the existing biodiversity, etc.

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58


Objective III 4: Enhance the training of specialists and administrators


Indicator 16 ReferenceUse the BR for in situ skill building activities III. 4.4

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

One of the key tasks of La Palma WBR is training and skill building which is why it is constantly providing course, workshops, talks, etc. not just on the Island of La Palma, but also throughout Spain, internationally and by video-conference in all areas. Moreover, national and international conferences have been offered from the Island of La Palma organised by La Palma WBR, such as the X Meeting of the IBEROMAB Committee in 2006, the STARLIGHT Conference in 2007 and the Workshop on Strategies for Planning and Conserving the Marine Resources of the Canary Islands, in 2009, among others.

Indicator 17 ReferenceExistence of a local skill building programme III. 4.5 and 4.6


1 2 3 4 5


X

Every year, La Palma WBR offers a training programme aimed at building the skills of local communities and other actors by organising workshops, courses, talks, seminars, etc., attracting politicians, businessmen, workers from different sectors and the La Palma community in general, where current issues are ad-dressed, training is offered concerning new legislation, the experiences of other similar territories are presented, new forms of marketing are presented, both for the commerce and the tourist sectors, etc.

MAIN OBJECTIVE IV:

APPLICATION OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE CONCEPT

Objective IV 1: Integrate the functions of biosphere reserves


Indicator 18 ReferenceLocalisation and mapping of the different zones IV. 1.10


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR locates and maps the different zones, not only on land, but also the marine zones, by means of a range of projects:

-Paisapal that locates and maps the different units of the Island from a landscape point of view. Thanks to this work, La Palma WBR has an island catalogue of landscapes that enhances the value of the Island landscapes on all levels.

- Sigmacan consists of creating a system of geographic information systems of the shallow sea beds of the Canary Islands.

- Marcopalma creates a digital atlas of the shoreline with a view to attaining a sus-tainable use of the natural resources.

- Impactopalma draws up an inventory and catalogue of the impacts of any kind that are perceptible from the island roads and paths.

Indicator 19 ReferenceRedefine the buffer and transition zones, if nec-essary, to preserve the core zone and sustainable development

IV. 1.12

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

In the original declaration of 1983, 511 ha in Los Tilos (San Andrés y Sauces) weredeclared “El Canal y Los Tiles” Biosphere Reserve. This initial declaration of an island biosphere reserve in Spain entailed the function of conservation as its sole purpose. Hence, in the 1990s, on seeing that this territory was too limited to fulfil the 3 functions that all biosphere reserves must fulfil, an extension was proposed. In 1998, the reserve was extended to cover 13,240 ha (27 times greater than the original area) and it was renamed “Los Tiles Biosphere Reserve”.

On the 6th of November 2002, UNESCO approved the application to extend Los Tiles Biosphere Reserve to cover the entire island, and it became known as “La Palma World Biosphere Reserve”. The entire island was declared a biosphere reserve and its different zones were defined (core, buffer and transition) in order to more efficiently fulfil its functions and to promote sustainable development.

Studies are now on-going to re-formulate the different zones again, using new, more functional criteria, more in line with the philosophy of the MaB Programme.

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Indicator 20 ReferenceParticipation of the local community in plan-ning and administering the BR

IV. 1.14

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

There are several forms of local participation in the planning and administration of La Palma WBR. On the one hand, by setting up the General Assembly, the main decision-making body of La Palma WBR, made up of the local and regional administrations and representatives of the population.

On the other hand, through the work panels that are set up to discuss and improve the Action Plans and Development Programmes, where representativesof all sec-tors of La Palma society come together to discuss and improve the actions that are scheduled to carried out in La Palma WBR over long periods of time (2006-2012; 2013-2022).

Many of the projects also have a participative part in which La Palma WBR inter-acts with the local population in a range of different actions.

In short, these and other, indirect forms of participation (surveys, social media, etc.) are used so that the local community can participate in La Palma WBR.

Indicator 21 ReferenceFoster private sector initiatives to establish and maintain sustainable activities from an environ-mental and social point of view

IV. 1.15

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma WBR fosters private sector initiatives that involve sustainable activities from the environmental and social point of view.

First of all, It draws up environmental best practice guides for the companies of the Island, as Best Environmental Practices are one of the most efficient instru-ments as far as improving a company from an environmental stance is concerned, as it is a simple model to follow that obtains excellent results. La Palma WBR offers training to the companies of the Island to help them understand the im-portance for their companies of following these Guides on Environmental Best Practices that will make La Palma business an example of environmental friendli-ness, sustainability and minimise their impact.

Second, another programme rolled out together with the “Institute of Respon-sible Tourism (ITR)”, is a programme of Tourist Certifications, whereby tourist services, products and infrastructures can enhance their quality, productivity, re-spect for the environment and also gain value added from their production.

Third, annual Sustainable Socio-economic Development and Sustainable Manage-ment Prizes are awarded. The aim is for La Palma business to set an example of sustainability.

Objective IV 2: Strengthen the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.


Indicator 22 ReferenceProduce information and promotion material for the BR

IV. 2.21

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

Pursuant to Indicator 13 (Production of information material for visitors), La Palma WBR produces informative material to disseminate the work carried out by La Palma WBR, the conferences and talks it offers, the trade fairs it takes part in, etc. We should not forget other channels of communications used, such as ra-dio spots, the Web Site, social media, etc. Moreover, La Palma WBR informs the population of the networking it carries out along with other biosphere reserves.

Indicator 23 ReferenceFormulation of strategies for raising funds from companies, non-governmental organisations and foundations

IV. 2.22

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

La Palma World Biosphere Reserve bases its funding on public funds, although it works with private institutions to implement specific actions, such as, for ex-ample, savings banks, banks, trusts, etc.

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6.3. Environmental Services Evaluation Report 2010

Ecosystems provide society with a series of services through the functions that they carry out, all of which contribute to human welfare. For this reason, it is vital for biosphere reserves to draw up periodic monitoring reports on the evaluation of the environmental services.

For La Palma WBR, the Scientific Council of the Spanish MaB Committee has drawn up a report in 2010 that evaluates the Environmental Services of La Palma.

This document, available in full in APPENDIX IV, identifies and evaluates the state of the ecosystems of La Palma WBR, distinguishing between marine eco-systems, the shore zone, the coastal scrub, forests, high mountain scrub, specific ecosystems and agro-ecosystems.

It then continues with an assessment of each of these ecosystems. The functions and services of each of them is measured, bearing in mind the atmospheric, climate, water regulations the prevention of disturbances, water availability, the formation and fixing of soil, waste processing, biological controls and the refuge and repro-duction habitats.

Indicator 24 ReferenceEstablish mechanisms for monitoring and as-sessing the application of the Seville Strategy

IV. 2.23

YES NO


1 2 3 4 5


X

This Document is the monitoring review of the work that La Palma WBR has done on the recommendations established by the Seville Strategy. The evaluation is carried out on the past and present of the work that implements the functions of any biosphere reserve. Previous reviews were conducted in 2010 and 2006.

Moreover, there is a La Palma World Biosphere Reserve Action Plan Evaluation Committee that monitors all the activities and actions of the La Palma WBR to monitor the degree to which the objectives set in our Action Plan are fulfilled. This activity is conducted by the Action Plan indicator system that monitors all activities, actions, projects, etc. by means of impact and results indicators.

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64


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The condition assesses the current production and quality of the goods and services of ecosystems compared with the situation 20-30 years ago.

The report synthetically explains the relation between the functions and the beneficiary places or group from the services, time scales in which ecosystems can provide a service and its location, distinguishing between forestry and mountain ecosystems, the marine environ-ment and the shoreline, agro-systems and ecosystems as a whole.

Finally, the main impacts and pressures on ecosystems and their functions are analysed, which are none other than: erosion and soil loss, forest fires, scattered occupancy and changes in use, fragmentation of habitats, exotic and invasive species, livestock pressure, tourist and sporting pressure, pesticides and weedkillers, over-exploitation of water tables, pollution from agricultural spills, disposal of agricultural and livestock waste, pollution from domestic spills, reduction of ecological flows and unregulated fishing and shell-fishing.

6.4 Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves IndicatorsThe Spanish MaB Committee has promoted a Monitoring Programme for the Spanish

Network of Biosphere Reserves (2008-2010) with a view to analysing to what degree Span-ish biosphere reserves have been implemented.

6 reference indicators are taken into consideration to display this degree of implementa-tion of the biosphere reserves (zoning, management body, participation in management, planning and management instruments, resources available and initiatives for fulfilling their functions) with a score for each one.

For the case of La Palma WBR, the best scores of all the Spanish biosphere reserves were awarded, with a degree of implementation of 90.5% (APPENDIX V).

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

BLOCK III

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1. EMERGING CHALLENGES FOR LA PALMA WBR

As explained in the Madrid Action Plan (MAP), the World Network of Biosphere Re-serves has grown within a concept that has also changed, and since the Seville Strategy was drawn up in 1995, a range of global problems and challenges have appeared or increased that have required the MaB Programme to adapt. On the one hand, the Montseny Action Plan for the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves addresses the contents of the MAP, singing up to the commitment to offer a response to three main challenges: the mitiga-tion of and adaptation to climate change, the provision of services by ecosystems and the pressure resulting from the growing process of urbanisation. At the same time, other international, European and regional networks and bodies have been working decidedly on linking development policies and strategies to these and other challenges that interfere with attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

La Palma World Biosphere Reserves accepts the common challenges of the World and Spanish Networks of Biosphere Reserves as priorities and addresses them with a global fo-cus. However, the particularities of this territory make it necessary to adapt and incorporate new challenges to the situation of the island, in an attempt to seek solutions to the added challenges posed by the fact it is an outermost region. Hence, La Palma WBR must face more specific difficulties, deriving from its geographic isolation, insularity, small size and dependence on the outside, which taken all together, translate into greater vulnerability and fragility. This very same condition, however, is what allows for the existence of an extraor-dinary biodiversity and makes the island a tri-continental geo-strategic spot with enormous potential in the field of research, technological development and innovation.

So, it must be capable of turning disadvantages into opportunities and harness this unique laboratory for pilot projects aimed at facing emerging challenges, especially the top priority ones listed below.

A. MITIGATING AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Very few people these days deny that mitigating and adapting to climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges, in fact one of the major challenges that mankind faces in this century. That is why so many commitments have been accepted throughout the world, aimed at curbing or reducing its causes and to attenuate its effects, which, in turn, have been transformed into world-wide, European, national and regional plans and strategies.

In the case of La Palma WBR, the challenge of climate change is key given the environ-mental and socio-economic particularities that make it more vulnerable. In fact, indications are already being seen, although perhaps more subtly than in other latitudes, that may repre-sent a grave danger, not only for the main economic activities, but also for its most valuable resource – biodiversity. Both on land and at sea, ecosystems are fragile formations that are highly dependent on climate parameters, which in the case of La Palma are accentuated due to the reduced amount of land, the existence of mountain peaks and the narrow or inexist-ent marine platform.

This means that a tiny change in the pattern of the Trade Winds or in the regimen of marine currents, among other causes, could trigger the migration of many species, with the consequent appearance of new taxa or the disappearance of those unable to emigrate.

Footnote 9: There are also positive effects deriving from climate change. This is the case of the appearance of thermophyl species such as the Ocean Triggerfish, recorded for the first time in 1994 and which currentlyconsititute an important resource in the westernmost Canary Islands (Brito A, 2008).

Footnote 10: The trend for change shown by the Azores Anticyclone and other climate data indicate that the areas of clouds on the windward slopes could diminish, with the consequent reduction of the laurel forest. (Del Arco Aguilar, M, 2008)

Photo: Prints of gulls in the sand Photo: Abandoned traditional buildings, Tamanca

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In this sense, La Palma WBR considers not only natural (weather, geological, water-related and biological) “risk prevention and management” as the most serious risk, but also an-thropic risk (environmental degradation, industrial and technological threats), which are both prejudicial environmentally and a health risk to people, and they also represent high economic and social costs. We have seen recently in La Palma, and in the Canary Islands in general, how an increase in the frequency and intensity of adverse weather episodes have caused countless personal and material damage that has forced us to become aware of the magnitude that phenomena such as run off, fires, hurricane-force winds, drought and land-slides can acquire. These episodes can become more important when they are magnified by the interference of man, in situations with inadequate urban planning, the transformation of water cycles and the construction of structures in vulnerable places.

Finally, consideration has been given to risks caused by the emission of material and en-ergy from certain anthropic activities that could trigger concentrated or scattered pollution phenomena and the introduction of invasive species and plagues that are already causing serious environmental and socio-economic problems.

In the face of all these latent and present threats, priority must be given first of all to con-tinue the task of prevention and early detection of these, and the mitigation of their effects by means of evaluation and restoration of the sites affected.

E. FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

The constant increase in the consumption of the planet’s resources caused by the increase in world population is bringing enormous pressure to bear on the food supply system and other basic natural resources that today’s society demands.

These global trends in the demographic dynamics and consumption patterns, combined with the threat of climate change and the irreversible degradation of ecosystem services, produce greater uncertainty in current production models, which is accentuated in island territories like La Palma, where dependence on products from abroad is greater. For this reason, productive activities aimed at the food supply are fundamental, especially after the decline that the primary sector has suffered on the Island in recent decades.

La Palma WBR must move forwards in the search for alternatives that promote diversified and efficient productive systems that increase the production of quality food, endowing products with value added, making them more competitive in comparison with imports.

In this sense, special mention must be made of the role of organic farming, an emerging sector on the Island that, in turn, is more beneficial for the environment and human health. To this end, holistic and integral planning and management is required that considers the advantages and disadvantages that could be generated among ecosystem services in terms of spatial scale, time scale and reversibility.

Footnote 12: Action Plan for the Network of National MaB Committees and Biosphere Reserves of Latin America and the Caribbean (IberoMaB).

Footnote 13: In 2005, tropical storm Delta underwent an anomalous shift for its kind, according to the National Weather Institute, that caused it to move out of the tropics and generated extremely high winds that had never been recorded before in the Canary Islands.

The role of biosphere reserves in implementing and advancing climate change policies is a determining factor, as has been highlighted by the XVI Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change of 2010, or more recently, in the “Dresden Declaration”, where the role of biosphere reserves as ideal places for research into the im-pact of climate change and for exhaustively testing adaptation strategies, was emphasised. The physical particularities of La Palma, with a short perimeter, high altitude and small area, together with its ecological, economic and social particularities, provide unrivalled condi-tions for this. Its strategic situation also gives it great potential as a platform for technologi-cal and scientific co-operation in this field.

B. SUPPLYING THE BENEFITS OF ECOSYSTEMS

Since the start of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Survey, the role of the services provided by ecosystems (understood as “the direct and indirect contribution of these to human welfare”, they have taken on increasing importance in international policies, which have gradually accepted the close ties that exist between the present and future welfare of people and the capacity of ecosystems to generate supply, and regulate cultural services.

This important role of land and marine ecosystems has been generally accepted by society as a whole, which has seen in recent years how the human pressure they have been subjected to has ended up compromising the maintenance of their services, provoking countless not only environmental problems, but also social and economic problems too.

The wide variety of ecosystems that are concentrated in the territory of La Palma WBR has enabled its population to harness their services for centuries. Factors such as the limited population growth, the low impact of tourism, the rugged island terrain and the complex regulatory framework of environmental protection developed in recent years have helped to preserve a good representation of them. Evidence of this is the large area of forests, the positive situation of the water balance and the quality of the night sky that characterises the Island. However, on the other side of the coin are those ecosystems; especially marine,

coastal and foothills ecosystems; that have been subjected to greater destruction, frag-mentation and modification deriving from human activities, provoking a reduction or loss of their functionality that is still unknown to date.

Both the managers of these resources and the public in general must be cautious and aware of the fact that the services provided to them are not inexhaustible, especially water, because of its vital importance. Drawing subterra-nean water from wells and galleries has had and contin-

ues to have enormous socio-economic repercussions for the Island. However, the amount of water re-

sources (30% of Canary Island irrigation water) is not inalterable; it can be compromised by the effects of climate change. So, a special effort has to be made in the conservation of this resource, by administrators, producers and consumers joining forces to help to increase the Island’s water security.

Hence, considering the entire territory of La Palma WBR and the many ecological, eco-nomic and social factors that have an impact on it, one can say that this is a living laboratory for researching and demonstrating formulas that enable us to assess, recover and maintain the provision of its ecosystem services and benefits.

C. THE PRESSURE RESULTING FROM THE GROWING URBANISATION

PROCESS

The concentration of much of the world population around a small number of nuclei or cities, together with industrialisation, represents one of the most characteristic social phe-nomena of recent centuries, driving a polarisation of their resources in some cases that, in turn, have undergone unequal and different internal development. Although this transfor-mation has not been so evident in La Palma WBR, where scattered rural settlements prevail, it still undoubtedly represents a challenge that must be addressed, especially from the point of view of planning, recovering and forecasting possible environmental, scenic and cultural impacts that this may trigger.

La Palms WBR must promote alternatives that allow it to weave an innovative urban fab-ric, adapted to its zoning, from where urban benefits, such as knowledge, technological development and innovation, can be driven, thus impacting positively on the rest of the ter-ritory. Research and experimentation in the field of new cities, neighbourhoods and towns with a low ecological footprint, with bioclimatic buildings, energy efficiency and the correct management of waste, arekey to this.

D. PREVENTATIVE RISK MANAGEMENT

The fourth emerging challenge considered by the IAP “natural disasters”, concerns the risks deriving from the frequent natural phenomena that affect the regions of Latin Amer-ica and the Caribbean.

Although the threats from adverse climate, water and geological phenomena (accentuated by climate change and changes in land use) can be extrapolated to La Palma, it is considered essential to take into consideration other kinds of emerging anthropic risks to add to the above.

Footnote 11: For life, for the future Biosphere reserves and climate change Conference Proceedings including the Dresden Declaration, Dresden, Germany 2011.

Photo: Diptera “bee-fly” on a cactus spurge

Photo: Field of cereal, San Isidro, Breña Alta Photo: Sand carried from the gorges by the floods of 2009 (Tiaglate, Mazo)

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Given its geographic characteristics and the socio-economic factors, La Palma World Bio-sphere Reserve faces a double challenge: to enhance its autonomy from fossil-based ener-gies (electricity production and distribution account for over 90% of all Greenhouse Gas (GG) emissions and harness the opportunities offered by the environment to develop prac-tices and skills aimed at the search for a low-carbon, energy efficient economy. Solar, wind and hydraulic energy, or somecombination thereof, are some of the alternatives that could cover a large proportion of our supply. Apart from the benefits represented by reducing pressure on fossil fuels and the diversification and improvement of energy efficiency on the environment, it would also help to generate new business opportunities, economic activity and jobs.

I. REUSE AND RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION

One of the repercussions of rapid economic growth and an increase in demand for food, energy, transport and electronic products, is waste, which generates problems that include pollution, the occupation of physical space and a reduction in the quality of life of people.

La Palma is no exception and in recent years, waste has become one of its main chal-lenges, which it has attempted to tackle with measures, now considered insufficient, such as creating clean spots, a Transfer Plant and the construction of an Environmental Complex. There are different cases of pollution on the Island, at times arising from an excessive use of chemicals in productive activities, at others from illegal tipping and also from a lack of treatment for waste waters, despite very strict European legislation on the matter.

Although La Palma World Biosphere Reserve understands that reduction and re-cycling are top priority, these are options that are not always possible or feasible, so they have to be considered in conjunction with another form of management: reuse. To attain greater environmental and economic sustainability, we have no choice but to resort to education as a means of promoting change in society, in the disposable culture of “use and throw away”, the compulsive purchase or abusive use of chemicals, leading to responsible consumption.

J. PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND CHANGE OF MENTALITY

The speed and magnitude of the change undergone by societies in recent times, at the very height of globalisation, demands that we face major challenges, not only in financial, economic and political terms, but also socially and personally, especially at times of crisis such as now. This transformation requires other means and ways of addressing the prob-lems of the new socio-economic cycle that is starting, and the resurgence of new values and attitudes founded on wisdom, but also on feelings such as empathy, love, solidarity and respect. As economist and writer José LuísSampedro says, “We live in a society that is very rich in scientific knowledge and enormously poor in wisdom, which is the art of living, of harnessing the potential of human life to the full”.

La Palma World Biosphere Reserve considers it fundamental to drive an ethical code that promotes a change of mentality and a new life style that brings out an awareness of indi-vidual and social responsibility. The socio-economic and environmental problems of the Island should be considered from the point of view of these new ethics, hence inducing new formulas that have proven impossible with economic and political approaches.

F. OUTERMOST REGION

The consideration of La Palma as an outermost region (OR) in European Union eco-nomic policies refers to the problems inherent in distance and insularity, especially in mar-kets. In turn, the geographic characteristics of the Island, set at a cross-roads between three continents, also offers opportunities in the field of co-operation, especially if we bear in mind the proximity of other neighbouring ORs and the proximity of developing countries such as those of Africa.

In this context, the role that the maritime space plays as a geo-strategic platform is funda-mental, as it is the main port of entry of staple products, raw materials and energy, most of which by sea. However, what may at first glance be understood as an edge in the process of increasing globalisation may entail terrible consequences for conserving the environment, fishing resources and the quality of life of people if they are not consciously and ration-ally planned and managed. Although it is true that policies that ensure basic sea transport services for people and cargo and enhance the competitiveness of markets need to be ori-ented, one must not lose sight of the potential of the maritime space for helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and a fairer and more balanced development.

The particularities of the marine surroundings of the Island, and of the Canary Islands in general, mean that a great variety of natural elements of great value are concentrated here, a fact that has been recognised by the world’s top authority in the area of sea transport, the International Maritime Organisation, when it declared the Canary Islands a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) in 2005. Since then, the entire island of La Palma has been one of the five recognised restricted areas, although it remains necessary to go into greater depth, extend and make the protection of the marine environment more effective.

Hence, La Palma boasts extraordinary potential as a platform for research in ma-rine biology, oceanography, volcanology, renewable energies and a long etcetera, thus

enhancing know-how and pushing back the boundaries in impact prevention and minimisation, and it is in these areas that La Palma World Biosphere Reserve

plays an important role.

G POPULATION AND MIGRATORY FLOWS

The demographics of most Outermost Regions follow highly variable patterns, due both to natural fluctuations and to migratory phenomena, generating great uncertainty for devel-oping policies aimed at regional management of territory, basic services such as education and health, and other related socio-economic factors. On top of this, is a growing trend towards population ageing caused by the increase in life expectancy for people and lower birth rates, which, on the other hand, translates into a general fall in the working population.

La Palma, unlike the Canary Islands as a whole, which saw an increase in population in recent decades, has maintained a distinct migratory balance, characterised by the de-popu-lation of several settlements, especially rural ones, an increase in population in urban and peri-urban areas and an immigration of elderly people and the loss of mainly young human capital.

Both the population variation and ageing are challenges that must be addressed in the future and they involve a serious challenge for the economy in a world in a state of global growth. On La Palma, alternatives must be found to revitalise the agro-rural environment, formulas must be found to attract qualified human capital of working age and the right conditions must be created for the population to settle and stay in areas with a negative migratory balance. The growing loss of the economic attraction of urban life also offers a unique opportunity to recover-restore thousands of traditional buildings of enormous heritage value on the Island. The elderly population, far from being a handicap, can become an advantage for stimulating social cohesion between generations more rapidly and more extensively.

The current global crisis that La Palma WBR is going through accentuates these demo-graphic fluctuations even further, with uncertain consequences that require the support of both the public and the private sectors and, in short, of society as a whole, and makes a transformation of public policies a necessity, together with a need to conduct impact stud-ies to identify, predict and programme the needs of the population.

H. ERNERGY ALTERNATIVES

Insecurity of the energy supply, climate change, society’s present demand and the depend-ence on an economic competitiveness make the search for alternative energies one of the main challenges that society faces.

Photo. Vipers Bugloss (Echiumwebbii)

Photo: Traditional construction in ruins, Tamanca Photo: para-glider

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Living Space: To promote the evolution of the paradigm of protected area to area that protects society, in which historical and cultural values are promoted, taking biodiversity and tangible and intangible natural resources as a foundation, by means of correct, integral management of the territory that provides benefits and articulates quality of life.

“The place of life”

Revive the Intangible: The preservation of the intangible heritage shows humanism on the move, insofar as it makes it possible to show values that were not previously perceived. The immaterial is what remains and covers the most profound needs of man. The conser-vation of this heritage represents a socialisation of the universe and, although fragile, it is a factor that helps to maintain cultural diversity in the face of growing globalisation.

“Humanism on the move”

Solidarity and Co-operation: Its tri-continental character must favour a fruitful ex-change of experiences by promoting new approaches and solutions aimed at solving the problems of today’s society, that will end up having a repercussion by improving the welfare of ecosystems and mankind, which along with actions aimed at fostering solidarity and so-cial commitment, will contribute to the positive transformation of the Island and the world.

“Common problems, shared solutions”

2. THE VISION OF LA PALMA WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE

“From Protected Area to an Area that Protects Society”

The Vision of La Palma World Biosphere Reserve has to hinge on a fragile island terri-tory with a tri-continental vocation that is equivalent to a place of excellence that conserves tangible and intangible resources on land, sea and in the sky, by reinforcing the values of its identity and sustaining local socio-economic development as a people open to the world, while promoting co-existence as a reserve of life, protecting society and inclusion and par-ticipative management to enhance quality of life and the welfare of the final beneficiaries: people, both locals and visitors.

Making this globalising vision of La Palma World Biosphere Reserve come about must rest on sound foundations that combine the management of scientific-technical research and innovation with the traditional know-how of the local community in an approach that takes on board the different sensitivities of different sectors that must be combined. In other words:

The Ethical Commitment: being a biosphere reserve territory entails a series of inher-ent ethical commitments that must impregnate any action that is carried out in it and which pertain to honesty, equality, sincerity, veracity and transparency in a commonly agreed upon framework that facilitates understanding and consensus among the actors involved, people and institutions, and their inter-relations.

“Do what is said and say what is done”

Strengthening Institutionality: Strengthening and consolidating its public nature must-bind together adaptive management system dynamics and applications with the use of state-of-the-art technological tools and the construction of public/private collaborative spaces that make the institution itself a learning laboratory of management for excellence, for all of which, the public sector must provide the means and instruments that position the entity properly as a sustainability benchmark management body.

“Vector of public utility”

Underpinning the People-Participation paradigm: Participative management and open dialogue will be the cornerstone of planning and carrying out activity in the territory as an element that promotes the creation of a feeling of cohesion among the population that is vindicated as a model to follow, paying special consideration to the generational extremes and the scenarios for these relations, which will foster the values of identity and roots.

“We are all the biosphere reserve”

Laboratories of Learning: The territory must be constructed as an excellent place for learning, where the local population together with the groups involved, work to convert the global principles of sustainable development into suitable local practices. This laboratory of learning must combine scientific research with popular wisdom as sources for generating new knowledge.

“Open-air laboratory”

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In this context, the general framework of action must provide answers to the following questions:

Where are we going to act?

In order to fulfil the conservation and sustainable development functions, integral management is required of all areas affected by human activities. To date, the land environment has concentrated much of the knowledge and management actions or measures, but it is essential to include the sea and the sky, and their inter-relations, in the field of action of this scenario.

What or who are we going to work with?

Territorial functionality will be implemented though adaptive planning that pre-serves biological and cultural diversity and the services provided by ecosystems and landscapes.

Who are we going to work for?

The main objective of actions to be taken is the welfare of people, by enhancing their quality of life, by shifting to become a space that is both protected and protec-tive of society. Helping to generate a space of life of these characteristics implicitly entails safeguarding the biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes, with their corre-sponding natural and cultural values. Island territory is associated with a series of specificities and singularities from both the biological and the cultural point of view, which must be protected and subject to correct management.

What are we going to do?

The scenario of territorial functionality is the starting point for working on an ac-tive management process for the territory, by promoting the conservation, manage-ment and planning of the biological, genetic and cultural diversity contained within the island territory. To this end, inter-relations among the different areas of action will be fostered, ensuring the balance between the conservation and the sustainable use of the living space.

For all these, the following are set as preferential fields of action:

Conservation of the Natural Resources

We will fight for the conservation of the natural elements, be they abiotic or bio-logical, to allow their continuity in the future. The maintenance of the biodiversity will be promoted, both of wild and domestic native species, preserving their popula-tions and their genetic diversity, and by means of the eradication of invasive species. Actions aimed at restoring or preserving geological and geo-morphological areas or characteristics of special interest will be favoured.

Tools will be established for monitoring populations and conservation plans (envi-ronmental monitoring) and research into natural resources will be fostered, by driv-ing both new knowledge and from managing existing knowledge.

2. MISSION OF LA PALMA WBR

“All Voices, All Hands”

The Mission of La Palma World Biosphere Reserve must focus on promoting, implement-ing and demonstrating a balanced relationship between human beings and the biosphere on all scales, acting as a place of trials and learning for methods of conservation and sus-tainable development, driving planned and co-ordinated management with the effective and concerted participation of social players, and taking as a benchmark the ethical com-mitment and the protective function of research, innovation and suitable practices for an efficient use of resources, with a view to preserving environmental and cultural values and favour the integral development of the local population.

To guarantee all aspects of environmental, economic, social, cultural and identity sus-tainability, carrying out this mission must be done in multi-purpose and adaptive working scenarios, that is:

1. TERRITORIAL FUNCTIONALITY

An island territory contains multiple spaces that fulfil different functions for natural, rural and urban ecosystems. Correct zoning, depending on their characteristics and aptitudes, more than an adequate management of these territories with a range of plans and pro-grammes, may allow the conservation of fragile, singular spaces with high ecological and biological value, while at the same time reinforce responsible economic activity in those part of the territory that are apt for human activities.

Correct zoning of the territory, together with its integral management, contribute to the balance between conserving biological diversity and promoting economic development and maintaining the associated cultural values. Adequate regional planning is essential for har-monising these objectives, by minimising disturbances, while helping to safeguard the ser-vices provided by the ecosystems and landscapes.

To attain these goals, it will be necessary mange knowledge correctly, by creating channels of communication among the different bodies that generate and/or promote this knowl-edge. All this will promote a balance between growth and conservation by improving the quality of life of people without mortgaging that of future generations.

Photo: Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) Photo: Oldcoastalpaths. El Mudo, Juan Adalid. Garafía Photo: Measuring size of limpets for later study Photo: View of La Caldera de Taburiente

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the driving force of island economic growth, the creation of jobs and the welfare of the population, while at the same time, leading to a more efficient use of resources and to minimising environmental degradation.

3. GALVANISING KNOWLEDGE

The exponential increase in the rate at which knowledge is created and accumu-lated has taken today’s societies toward a new paradigm known as the knowledge economy: a system in which knowledge is the true essence of competitiveness and it becomes the driving force of development in the long term.

Knowledge has become the main value of a society, beyond its natural resources or the capacity of its available infrastructure. In the face of this rapid and constant change globally, one can only compete and attain a certain level of social welfare by means of the correct management of knowledge and innovation.

In the face of the actions up until now assigned to the logistics function, La Palma WBR places special importance on knowledge, the intellectual capital of the island society. Managing this knowledge is a new mission that organisations must take on board, and La Palma WBR aspires to being a pioneer in this sense. For La Palma WBR, changes are not something negative and inevitable; they are positive and de-sirable, with a positive stance for the times we live in and construct. La Palma WBR will foster a proactive attitude to change, and the cornerstone of this is managing knowledge and innovation, to solve individual and collective problems.

La Palma WBR would act as a catalyst and mobiliser of the Island’s plural and diverse intellectual capital to drive the production of tangible and intangible goods of high value added.

Research

In the new economic model, based on knowledge, institutions like La Palma WBR play a fundamental role, transmitting and disseminating knowledge to society, gen-erating new ideas, supporting training for scientific and technical personnel and the transfer of research results to the productive fabric to solve problems and to move society forwards.

Galvanising knowledge as La Palma WBR intends to do, is founded on an alliance of business, institutions and civil society to co-operate – not competing on the is-land, but in other areas and markets – and contributes to scientific research, training, environmental education and the application of sustainable development models on the Island.

Training

In the knowledge economy, organisational and trans-organisational learning is key to take on and develop the knowledge and the talent necessary, without which or-ganisations do not adapt or evolve towards the new requirements of society and of the new economy. That is why this economy is not limited to a revolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT); it goes further, demanding new skills concerning society’s needs: capacity to learn on all levels, the generation of inter-institutional networks and an intensive use of knowledge in the social space. To attain these objectives, it is important to have a correct and powerful communi-cation strategy.

La Palma WBR accepts the challenge of the information society, which is now shifting towards a learning society, with training thus taking on a capital role in its

Functionality of Ecosystems

Actions will be promoted that prevent the adverse effects that can be produced by human activities or the introduction of exotic species on the diversity of ecosystems and actions aimed at mitigating the expansion and the adverse effects of invasive species will be fos-tered. Initiatives will be developed for ecological restoration, favouring the recovery of local species, the control of pollutants, the maintenance of the water and carbon cycle and the conservation of the soil.

Territorial Management

Actions will be promoted that attain a rational use of the territory, planning human activities with a view to maintaining biological and cultural diversity. Drive will be provided for the design of tools for planning and managing the territory. We shall work to maintain the spatial continuity of ecosystems, avoiding their fragmentation. We will fight to maintain the traditional uses of the land and avoid erosion processes.

Landscape

The landscape will be used as an element to provide structure for zoning and for social cohesion, by taking actions aimed at its protection, management and planning. Work will be done to maintain the inherent values of the landscape, of both the natural and cultural kind, by minimising the impacts that deteriorate it and prevent-ing the loss of landscapes.

2. GREEN ECONOMY

In line with the concept established by the United Nations Environment Pro-gramme (UNEP), Green Economy is understood to be a system of economic activities related to the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services that generate greater welfare for mankind and reduce inequalities in the long term, without exposing future generations to major environmental risks or sig-nificant ecological deficits. These activities are considered as strengths that generate new economic opportunities that are compatible with the bio-system, which can be addressed with the generation of competitive products;in other words, the expan-sion and restructuring of the space for economic development and maintaining the associated natural and cultural values, involving local communities and enhancing their signs of identity.

In a Green Economy, La Palma World Biosphere Reserve outlines two preferential fields of action:

Quality Economies Using a working dynamic based on the concept of quality, lines of action are drawn up in which man interacts with the environment he moves in, connecting ideas and resources to offer distinct products, goods and services. The responsible use of these local resources to generate economic activity and sta-ble jobs are encouraged physically and temporarily. Synergies are created between tradition, local products, business and industrial activity, responsible transformation, distinctive marketing, new technologies and the territory as an inherent singularity of the product, good or service.

Responsible Tourism that arises from an offer of quality and respect for the en-vironment and a set of responsible players in the use of those resources, for a public that demands this excellence as value added to the destination, in order to make this

Photo: Presentation of the Action Plan Photo: Collecting data during a divePhoto: Sunset on the west coast Photo: Silk handicrafts, El Paso

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- Participation Organise real and democratic participation. The road to welfare is led by the very individual who must accompany and support the process for it to be successful and lasting, without forgetting the inter-relations of the generational extremes in the decisions and the actions that must model the desired kind of territorial development. The citizen’s right to be consulted, to make decisions and to transparency in the management of public affairs.

- Communication Foster the tools of knowledge that, together with education and par-ticipation, are fundamental for transmitting the natural and cultural values of the Island. Without communication, there is no understanding.

- Voluntary Sector Drive the commitment of the people that serve the community by their own decision and out of solidarity; those who work for the common good. The goal of involving the population in the management of the territory means accepting the role of social galvaniser.

- Solidarity Improve relations among human beings and between these and the environ-ment.

- Co-operation Exchange and share technology, research, skill-building, education and opportunities for co-operation in order to guarantee that biosphere reserves act efficiently as places of learning for sustainable development on a global, regional, national and local scale.

4. PEOPLE AND WELFARE

The aforementioned working scenarios guide people to a new quality of life where the factor to be promoted is social cohesion. In other words, drive a state in which there is a shared vision, where we work for the common interest, facing inequalities and challenges, seizing new opportunities for welfare and strengthening a feeling of belonging among the population that we are all the biosphere reserve as a synonym of quality of life.

A biosphere reserve territory protects the individual and keeps an eye on his/her welfare. Society benefits and is enriched by the tangible and intangible values that a biosphere re-serve has, while the biosphere reserve needs the cohesion and involvement of local popula-tions and stakeholders in the management of the territory, in a symbiotic relationship. In other words, by guaranteeing relations based on reciprocity and trust, we are pursuing a living space where there really is harmony between development, conservation and satisfy-ing human needs.

The people-welfare scenario is mainstreamed to other scenarios and, therefore, must pro-mote those elements that sustain social cohesion as the vehicle of the people-welfare rela-tionship, that is:

- Raising awareness Foster critical reflection to participate in the management of the territory and promote sustainable development. To attain welfare, we must be aware of it.

- Education Involving the population in the management of the territory means taking on the role of social educator that undoubtedly concerns the Biosphere Reserve, hence including environmental education along with other elements of a more socio-economic nature in management itself.

functions, with one leading aspect: raising awareness with regard to both the values that La Palma WBR promotes and the necessary tools to face change.

Training for and raising awareness of these changes is the task of La Palma WBR as its multi-purpose orientation and vocation act as a link between the general pub-lic, institutions and private industry.

Communication and Socialisation of Knowledge

When an organisation accumulates a certain amount of knowledge, it would ap-pear logical for it to share it, as happens on an individual level, to obtain a range of benefits and establish itself as a benchmark for excellence in its domain and interact-ing with other organisations to enhance its own, but this does not usually happen naturally. An example of this problem is La Palma, which has enormous capacity in human and intellectual capital but this does not revert to society, or at least not to a satisfactory degree.

Organisations should be able to acquire, generate and use knowledge, but it must be transferred for the final beneficiary of the process to be society in general, as this facilitates the development of the knowledge economy as the best guarantee of the welfare of the people.

Socialising knowledge is a question of the population taking ownership of scientif-ic and technical knowledge, rather than this remaining merely general information. Society must be prepared to be able to complete a whole cycle of developments and transformations of knowledge, and education is the basic pillar on which the other factors that generate a prosperous and competitive society rest in a global context.

Without inter-institutional co-operation, it is impossible to transfer knowledge to the education, public and private sectors. That is why it is important to create and strengthen networks to drive skills and the economic benefits of organisations and territories.

Cultural Fact and Element of Identity

The globalising movement has a unifying aspect that appears to annul local identi-ties and cultures, when these are fundamental for the collective construction of the knowledge society, but this does not belong to an elite; it is a process in which all citizens take part. The cultural fact and the element of identity contribute distinc-tion and social cohesion by means of creativity and innovation with a view to trans-forming knowledge into social and economic value.

Assessment and Monitoring

La Palma WBR should be provided with useful tools that enable it to assess and monitor significant elements and variables to promote insight into the real situa-tion by gathering information and how this evolves over time. It is a first step to measuring the impact and the effectiveness of a given action, hence guaranteeing its continued success, improvement and sustainability.

Assessment and monitoring become especially important in the search for solu-tions for the emerging challenges (climate change, urbanisation process, demo-graphic change, etc.)

Photo: Ants and fleas Photo: Silver baldachin bier of the Virgin of the Snows Photo: Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory Photo: Drawing up questionnaires for the Action Plan

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4. LEITMOTIF OF LA PALMA WBR

The term “leitmotif ” comes from the German leiten (guide) and Motiv (motif) and was first used in 1871 as the fundamental idea of a musical composition that is repeated and developed in different ways throughout the composition.

In our case, we use the term to refer to the “central theme” or “common motif ” that must guide the activity of La Palma World Biosphere Reserve in implementing its Action Plan for the period 2013-2022.

So, for this new decade of challenges and opportunities that La Palma World Biosphere Reserve has to face, we have decided on the following as the leitmotif, based on the vision, mission and functions that this must fulfil:

Hence, when we talk about “green economy”, we associate the conservation and development functions through the expansion and restructuring of the area for economic development and to maintain the associated natural and cultural values, with the logistics function, involving local communities and promoting their signs of identity and by going beyond the “tangible”, we show a humanism on the move and that represents a process of universal socialisation. The “human being” is the main player and final beneficiary, who acts as a “cohesive link” in a “space of life” that must be shared, on the principles of respect and solidarity, and without ex-posing future generations to major environmental risks or to significant ecological deficits.

PROGRAMMATIC FRAMEWORK

BLOCK IV

We cannot fool nature,

ut we can agree with her”

Albert Einstein, German physicist

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1. INTRODUCTION

The programmatic framework encompasses the working scenarios, fields of in-tervention and actions established as preferential for being carried out during the next 10 years. It is a programme that intends to act as a tool for adapting the con-servation, development and logistics strategies and actions embarked upon since La Palma was declared a World Biosphere Reserve to the real situation. Hence it includes the specific objectives in the following sections to transform them into the Conceptual Framework explained above. Taking the governing principles consid-ered in the La Palma WBR Vision and its Mission as the starting point, a new road map is considered to guide the management policies in the short, mid and long term in a change from a protected area to an area that protects society in the framework of sustainability, laying the foundations to continue to move forwards and face the new challenges deriving from the global and local change we are submerged in.

This plan has been carefully designed to respond to the needs and preferential actions posed by the different areas that have been consulted. However, bearing in mind the long period encompassed, it must be interpreted as a flexible plan, in such a way that new challenges and requirements that emerge can be incorporated and worked on. This flexibility is also necessary due to another of the novelties for this new period; the drive that we want to give to the collaboration and participation of the people, without which many of the activities considered would be impossible to roll out.

2. OBJECTIVES

The general objective of this Action Plan is to act as a working tool to move island sustainability forwards and to provide continuity and improve the set of strategies and actions put in place, as a whole, in the previous action plan and propose new lines of work and projects in line with the current reality. But as we have already seen in La Palma WBR vision, adaptation requires a change in the strategies followed to date, inducing an evolution of the paradigm from a protected area to an area that protects society, where the human being is not understood as an adversary, but as a value of the territory.

Involving the population in processes and decisions pertaining to their environ-ment is the surest way of attaining this aim, so that nature conservation is not mere-ly imposed on them by the competent authorities and that this is not an obstacle or a restraint on human activities, but a real need demanded by the population to achieve a better quality of life and welfare.

On the other hand, a new concept of territory has to be promoted; one that is not limited to the closest, most visible and best known area, but rather, one that recog-nises its integrity and the inter-relations that exist among all its elements, with the land, sky and sea forming part of a single whole. Despite being an island area, the sea of La Palma, with its rich, fragile biodiversity, has been the most neglected part when planning and management strategies have been developed. For this reason, during the new period, work will be done to go into even greater depth in enhancing our knowledge and in developing actions aimed at attaining a more sustainable use of marine resources, hence contributing to their preservation.

Photo: Close up of ears of cereal Photo: Molluscs in the surf

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ESCENARIO O – ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

The main instruments of action of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MaB) are the biosphere reserves. As such, they require adequate human, material and fi-nancial means and procedures to attain their objectives.

In biosphere reserves, the managing bodies should be responsible for establishing the specific management measures, in line with the specific characteristics of each biosphere reserve, in order to achieve the objectives set by the Madrid Action Plan (MAP), both at individual reserve level and through the different networks that these territories form part of. Implementing the right management in biosphere reserves, adapting the management structures and their action plans, are the founda-tion for efficiently achieving objectives such as:

• Nature conservation is one of the basic objectives that the UNESCO tasks bio-sphere reserves with through the MaB Programme. This mandate, supported by the aforementioned MAP, makes it essential to develop tools that make it possible to en-hance the exchange of information, standardise procedures and assess the efficiency of actions rolled out, as active management progresses.

• Socio-economic development, an objective that has gained ground and advanced in recent years through the implementation of action plans, development plans and the rolling out of initiatives in the business fabric of these territories, such as quality la-bels for products and services associated with them. The laws of rural development and biodiversity provide a favourable scenario for fostering best sustainable progress practices. Attaining sustainable development depends on an appropriate manage-ment of all these aspects.

• Monitoring as an essential component for assessing the efficacy of management and the systemisation of the compiling of information and social projection by means of management reports, sector-based reports and publications, among others. This is the right time to move forward in the assessment of management efficacy as an essential step in evaluating the fulfilment of the objectives set by the MAP.

The general objective pursued by Adaptive Management is to improve the governability of biosphere reserves, improve the efficiency of government structures by intensifying the participation of all players and by promoting an equitable distribution and participation in the benefits and by guaranteeing financial sustainability.

The definition of Adaptive Management proposes improving the human, economic and material means and procedures that enable us to attain an efficient management of territo-ries by means of a set of preferential lines that will bring this about:

1. Institutional strengthening, associated with the development, evolution and adapta-tion of the Biosphere Reserve. Institutions with competences in the territory should take ownership of the fundaments and principles of the MaB Programme that governs biosphere reserves, while at the same time, strengthening their management bodies as a tool that directs the process.

2. Deepening and standardising in an innovative framework of collaboration in the pro-cesses and procedures inherent to the management body, progressing in chapters such as: bringing administration closer to the people with technological tools such as electronic administration and others; the organisation and active management of the documents and administration of the management body; and the consolidation of transparency in a management style that is open to the administration and to the people.

3. The management of a territory declared a Biosphere Reserve in line with three prior-ity strands: on the one hand, the landscape as the backbone of territorial planning to galvanise socio-economic development and a field of experimentation, a laboratory of learning and a niche of research applied to innovation; on the other hand, the function-ality of zoning under parameters of connectivity between different areas of the same zone and between different zones, not only by means of ecological corridors, but also from the perspective of functionality, and finally, by means of active conservation and the socio-economic development of ecosystems through the benefits that these provide for people.

3. NEW GOVERNANCE

Given the change that has taken place since La Palma was declared a World Biosphere Reserve and the formulation of its first action plans (2003-2005 and 2006-2012), and with a view to contributing to the adaptation of its management in the new international, national and local context, structural modifications have been mooted that include the following main novelties:

LA PALMA WBR GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

As a consequence of the experience acquired over the last ten years, and given the need to strengthen institutionality, we are considering, on the one hand, adapting everything per-taining to Adaptive Management and, on the other hand, without losing sight of the public character of the entity, promote processes of collaboration of the general public and pub-lic/private participation, which will take a review and modification of the Statutory Regi-men as a starting point.

Restructuring and formalising the advisory and support bodies, both the Scientific Council and the Technical Committees and Commissions are another of the improvements for this period, which includes creating a Social Participation Council.

The participation of the general public is one of the basic pillars on which democratic systems rest, just as the Spanish Constitution recognises in article 9.2 “It is the responsibility of the public powers … to facilitate the participation of all citizens in political, economic, cultural and social life”. It also points out the right to participate in article 23.1 “Citizens are entitled to participate in public affairs, directly or through representatives, freely elected in periodic elections by universal suffrage”.

In the new organisational structure, the Social Participation Council means the represen-tation and participation of all social groups of the Island, where priority is given to the existence of a commitment to and a common project for attaining the objectives that the Island of La Palma must meet as a World Biosphere Reserve. So, the general objective that has been set is to attain the cohesion, integration, participation and welfare of society in its functions, understanding the Biosphere Reserve as the common meeting place that every-body forms part of.

FUNCTIONAL ZONING

Based on the new realities, derived from the evolution of the concept and the purposes as a biosphere reserve (greater integration of human activity, inclusion of urban zones, zoning functionality, among others), this new stage opens with the design of a new and functional zoning of La Palma WBR.

4. PROGRAMME: SCENARIOS, FIELDS OF INTERVENTION AND ACTIONS

This section goes into greater depth concerning the programme to be implement-ed in the period 2013-2022, including a break down and definition of both strategic strands and interventions in each area. Apart from the contents of the Conceptual Framework, the novelties that have been raised in the new governance have also been integrated.

There are 5 key scenarios around which the priority Fields of Intervention and Ac-tions will be articulated: Territorial Functionality, Green Economy, Galvanisation of Knowledge, People and Welfare and Adaptive Management, although the latter, as a mainstream aspect, has been presented in a different way from the rest. They are grouped in the following way, in accordance with their functions:

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SCENARIO 1 – TERRITORIAL FUNCTIONALITY

An island territory contains many spaces that fulfil different functions for natural, ru-ral and urban ecosystems, on land, at sea and in the air. Given its enormous fragility and singularity, adequate management and planning is essential to maintain a balance between conservation and the exploitation of resources, to allow the economic development of the local population and ensure the ecosystem benefits for future generations, while at the same time, maintaining cultural values and promoting the quality of life of people.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 1.1 CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RE-

SOURCES

Natural resources play a fundamental role in the survival of mankind, as they provide material goods and services directly, in the form of food and raw materials, or indirectly, in the form of ecologic services. These include the biotic and abiotic elements that can be used by society to satisfy its needs. Despite their importance, human activities, along with other phenomena such as climate change, are provoking the extinction of species at an accelerated rate, the disappearance of habitats and major imbalances in ecosystems and natural cycles. Therefore, it is essential to roll out actions and measures aimed at the preservation and recovery of the available natural resources.

ACTION: CONSERVATION OF LAND AND MARINE BIODIVERSITY

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to the variability of all living organisms and the ecological systems that form part of a territory. Although the general public may con-sider biodiversity as something distant from their everyday lives, their survival depends to a large extent on it, as it plays an essential role in regulating the chemistry of the atmos-phere, in generating the water supply, in re-cycling nutrients and the availability of fertile soils, apart from providing food and medicines.

The activities included in this action are aimed at exploring biodiversity on land and at sea; the conservation or recovery of endangered and fragile species; and maintaining lo-cal domesticated species or traditional crops, be these animals or plants, preserving their populations and genetic diversity and by promoting their continuity in the future. Activi-ties will also be carried out, aimed at controlling invasive or exotic species that endanger local biodiversity.

ACTION: CONSERVATION OF ABIOTIC ELEMENTS

The physical space of La Palma is made up of different elements such as the sky, the ocean, the soil, subterranean waters and rocks, which living creatures, in turn, depend on for their development. Some of these elements require integrated management models for their conservation, as is the case of volcanic pipes, of great geo-morphological and wildlife interest.

On the other hand, the economic performance of a territory also generates negative prints on the landscape. Changes in the productive model of the Island have left many elements and infrastructures neglected, hence considerably deteriorating the environ-mental quality of the place. The ones causing the greatest impact are susceptible to being restored or withdrawn from the landscape.

In this area, it is necessary to consider specific, concrete actions, aimed at restoring for-mer quarries or at eliminating obsolete infrastructures, among others.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 1.2 ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY

Ecosystem functionality is understood to be all the activities that an ecosystem can carry out, as a whole, thanks to the diversity and complementarity of the elements that form part of it and which allow it to function properly, while providing services that include regulation and supply. Although the direct or indirect action of human activities is the main cause that alters the abiotic and biotic balance of ecosystems, many of them can continue or be recovered. On the other hand, mankind can also intervene to restore ecosystems, hence accelerating their process of recovery or mitigating and eliminating impacts that affected ecosystems cannot fight against. In the same way, people can favour and promote ecosystems by re-establishing the abiotic characteristics and intervening with regard to some species, hence favouring biodiversity and the generation of certain resources sustainably.

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ACTION: CUSTODY OF THE TERRITORY

The conservation and development of the territory, including its tangible and intangible components, requires new management formulae such as what is known as custody of the territory, understood to be a set of strategies and techniques that aim to favour the responsibility of owners and users of the territory and make this possible in the conser-vation of natural, cultural and scenic values and the appropriate use of its resources. It is therefore, a conservation philosophy, not just for nature, but also for the landscape and the associated heritage, which takes the form of applying a range of intervention mecha-nisms and the collaborative will among owners and public and private custody bodies that will finally take co-responsibility for protecting its values.

This way, custody is a new management and conservation formula for the territory that on the Island would come about through actions aimed at recovering plots that are pres-ently abandoned, or in regenerating deteriorated ones that have an impact on the envi-ronmental and scenic quality of the surroundings.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 1.4 LANDSCAPE

Over the centuries, the landscape has shown the consequences, both positive and nega-tive, of the way of life and the social, economic and ecological processes that influence the model. That is why La Palma WBR will get involved in handling these dynamics by proposing specific actions to study the island landscape and its evolution over history and by offering society answers while working on the search for instruments that help in landscape management. From this point of view, landscape must be conceived as a struc-turing element of the functional zoning of La Palma WBR and a vital tool for generating coherent models for occupying the territory.

ACTION: LANDSCAPE PLAN

The purpose of this plan is to ensure the conservation, development and enhanced value of the Island’s landscapes, so it will become a basic tool for the territorial and environ-mental management of the island as a whole. It will be a guide and a management tool for any stakeholder involved in landscape, which will encompass everything from basic environmental protection to tourist promotion, integrating the administrations, key stra-tegic sectors, social groups of different kinds and the local population. Activities will be rolled out that will help to attain the landscape quality objectives and the implementation of the Landscape Charter, both on an institutional level and among professional sectors and among associations.

ACTION: ENDOGENOUS LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Endogenous Landscape Development Plan (EDP) is formulated as a road map for managing, planning and protecting the Island Landscape. In this sense, the EDP aspires to becoming an instrument for the active preservation of the La Palma landscapes. To this end, it will make proposals to promote the continuity of activities that have created the landscapes and have accompanied its evolution, without losing those characteristics that have helped to generate them or enhance their value. These activities will include sign-posting and promoting the network of scenic itineraries, the creation of a La Palma Island Landscape Laboratory and the promulgation of municipal embellishment plans.

ACTION: RESTORATION OF ECOSYSTEMS AND THEIR BENEFITS

Ecosystems are units that produce goods and services for human beings and resources that are often essential for the development of the local population. On an island like La Palma, with its highly complex environment, the benefits of ecosystems are as basic and tangible as water, soil, fishing resources or air quality, or intangible like the beauty of its landscapes.

When an ecosystem is in balance, it can offer a greater number of benefits, and at the same time, it is more capable of recovering from the impacts of human actions or natural catastrophes. Unfettered exploitation of ecosystems and their resources in the past and present must be off-set in these new times with planned and sustainable intervention. The actions of recovering and restoring ecosystems must rest on knowledge and experi-mentation, hence avoiding interventions and poor practices on the environment that will aggravate rather than recover the state of conservation of ecosystems. The activities of this action will be aimed at recovering ecosystems, natural resources and the biodiversity that these house and the benefits that they provide for the population, by promoting a sustainable exploitation that guarantees their functionality and future continuity.

ACTION: PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN ECOSYSTEMS

The intervention by people in nature has traditionally meant a modification of ecosys-tems, but, on some occasions, some activities are positive as they generate or extend the niche and resources for many native species. Intervention by man on ecosystems is, in this case, more than justified as it helps to maintain the continuity of the populations of some species. We must be able to identify those practices that have a positive impact on the Island’s biodiversity to safeguard and promote them, and prevent them from falling into neglect. At the same time, some ecosystems and species that live in them may be endangered by simple natural processes or by the unconscious intervention of mankind. Confined, small ecosystems face a greater chance of disappearing artificially. If we are aware of this fact, then direct intervention to prevent this is more than justified.

The activities of this action are aimed at promoting human activities (economic or cul-tural) that favour the maintenance, development and continuity of ecosystems and the promotion of biodiversity.

FILED OF INTERVENTION 1.3 TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT

Planning and management of the territory are fundamental tools for promoting the sus-tainable development of the island. This is a process that must involve the active par-ticipation of the public, private and social stakeholders of the Island. An impact will be made on a strategic view of the territory, rather than as a mere support for economic activities, allowing for an efficient handling of resources without undermining their pre-sent and future potential.

ACTION: STRATEGIC PLANNING OF THE TERRITORY

Correct strategic planning implies organising, harmonising and administering the occu-pation and use of the area in such a way as to contribute to sustainable ecological, spa-tially balanced and socially fair human development. It is essential to develop an integral, humanist and prospective vision, in which the territory plays an active role in economic policies, facilitating the incorporation of values of environmental sustainability, spatial balance and social welfare.

This action will rest on activities aimed at developing new tools of analysis, zoning and management models, risk prevention plans, climate change mitigation and on the analysis of the evolution of the territory.

ACTION: PLANNING AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY IN POPU-

LATION SETTLEMENTS

To attain island-wide sustainability, it is essential to incorporate sustainability criteria and measures in the policies and processes of urban development, seek to improve energy efficiency and a reasonable consumption of resources. To that end, it is necessary to disseminate the interest in controlling rural scattering among the population, along with fostering the recovery of the urban space, sustainable management of resources and waste, improved accessibility and efficiency of transport, among others, all within an integral approach.

The activities forming part of this action will focus on issues relating to urban ecol-ogy, accessibility, mobility and transport; urban management and governance; sustainable building and refurbishing; and climate change, as a formula for promoting an innovative urban fabric.

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SCENARIO 2 – GREEN ECONOMY

The progressive shift towards a green economy, in which there is a tendency to enhance the wellbeing of mankind and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risk and the degradation of resources, is merely the path for attaining sustainable devel-opment. This process involves actions aimed at guaranteeing not only the conservation or restoration of natural resources, but also at ensuring that the society involved has enough resources for its proper development in the short, mid and long term. There are two underlying ideas that support this scenario: on the one hand, recognition of the right to harmonious development with nature and the need to maintain an environment that provides the goods and services necessary to ensure the wellbeing of people in a sustain-able manner, and on the other hand, having tools that will favour new market opportuni-ties and economic development, that reactivate business and galvanise it in the physical space in which it takes place.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 3.1 QUALITY ECONOMIES

Any territory declared a World Biosphere Reserve must articulate and implement inter-ventions that make a contribution to its economic development, based mainly on pro-moting a sustainable use of local resources and the active involvement of the population. In La Palma WBR, the aim is to continue developing a quality certification system for local products, goods and services, enhancing their value by promoting their origin and involving the different stakeholders throughout the chain of production, making them the real leading players in initiatives aimed at advancing towards food self-sufficiency.

To this end, the activities to be rolled out will include actions aimed at reactivating the local economy, which will create jobs. The emphasis will be on actions affecting the pri-mary sector and responsible marketing as essential tools for attaining the objectives of a green economy.

ACTION: QUALITY CERTFICATION: LA PALMA WORLD BIOSPHERE

RESERVE LABEL

Using the La Palma WBR brand as the main tool, work will continue on distinguishing and promoting the quality of the products, goods and services made and/or produced on the island, for the contribution they make to a green economy. An assessment will be made of processes, techniques, tools, best practices, traditional uses, innovation, the use of new technologies or applicable regulations, among others, bearing in mind the pecu-liarities of the products, goods and services produced, made, transformed or provided on the island, with a view to determining a set of distinguishing parameters that help to associate them with the territory and to enhance their value due to their outstanding qual-ity. This will require a review of both the regulations that govern the use of the brand for each kind of product and the creation of new regulations, and a system of auditing and certification.

Opting for the quality option will entail working directly with the companies of the Is-land by means of training actions, counselling and promotion to achieve the objective pursued with the certification: to enhance the value of local products as a tool for reac-tivating the island economy.

ACTION: PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Taking the requisites of the La Palma WBR brand as a reference, including the use of raw materials from the Island, both marine and land resources, work will be carried out that is aimed at fostering the recovery of the primary sector by providing incentives for its produce and by orienting this produce towards green agriculture and livestock (organic or integral) and a sustainable exploitation of marine resources and activities (fishing, shell fishing, fish farming), which will entail the promotion and strengthening of an island agro-food industry that is compatible with the Biosphere Reserve concept.

At the same time, strategies will be designed that will provide incentives for consuming local products, because of both the contribution they make to conserving characteristic ecosystems and landscapes of the Island, and because of their contribution to develop-ing and maintaining economic activity on the Island.

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ACTION: PROMOTING AND HABILITATING TOURISM RESOURCES

To offer a quality service in a tourist destination, it is essential to have a duly habilitated setting that guarantees an optimum level of security to enjoy the resources.

To this end, activities must be designed to improve resources and which, in turn, facili-tate and promote access to them, without exceeding the appropriate carrying capacity. Appropriate sign-posting of these resources is another key element in promoting them. In the same way, consideration will be given to the possibility of adapting different land-marks for the disabled, in order to be able to offer tourism that is accessible to all on the Island. Finally, new interesting landmarks will be promoted for tourist purposes to make the most of the potential that the island resources have.

ACTION: RESPONSIBLE MARKETING

Responsible marketing must tend to strengthen entrepreneurial activity on the island, promoting the collaboration and the involvement of public and private capital to ef-fectively position island products apart, distinguishing them from others, in combination with rolling out a responsible marketing policy that guarantees the quality of La Palma WBR products and which attains the objective of setting them apart/enhancing their value in a globalised market such as the present one. In a similar way, collaborative work and networking must be promoted, provided it sustains the values and the essence of local products.

Once we have the product and its quality and ties to the territory are recognised, we need to work so whomsoever has invested time and effort in the sustainable exploitation of the Island resources can directly see the results of his or her work. To this end, there will be interventions aimed at promoting responsible trade, by contributing to the local economy, in terms of both the profit it provides for small, local businesspeople and also to a favourable change in mentality of both local and outside consumers. The use of environmental marketing techniques will also be stimulated to support the values and commitments involved in engaging in this activity in a territory recognised as a Biosphere Reserve.

ACTION LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

The responsible use of the territory’s endogenous resources becomes an opportunity for La Palma WBR, and a need in terms of stimulating, rolling out and monitoring propos-als aimed at consolidating business activity and the creation of new initiatives capable of creating jobs, and reactivating and developing the local economy. Promoting professional qualification and training, direct counselling, practical experience as a feasible tool for gaining access or for coming back into the labour market, the application of new tech-nologies and renewable energies as entrepreneurial vectors, design a field of employment aimed at creating jobs and promoting local development.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 3.2 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Responsible Tourism was born of the need to create an environmentally-friendly quality offer of tourist products and to involve the stakeholders in the exploitation of resources for a public that demands this excellence as value added to the destination, with a view to making it a driving force of local economic growth, jobs and welfare, while at the same time leading to a more efficient use of resources and to minimise degradation of the environment.

La Palma has many resources that allow us to theme and extend the range of products. To make this work, we need to work together with the business fabric and other players involved and, at the same time, promote a continual improvement and enhancement of these resources to guarantee visitor security and satisfaction.

ACTION: FOSTERING TOURISM QUALITY

Quality in the tourism services is one of the most important aspects to satisfy the needs of visitors. To this end, we need excellence in the establishments, amenities and tourist resources that make up the destination’s product range.

The involvement and participation of the business fabric, in both the public and the private sector, in developing activities related to the continual improvement of a tourist destination is a key factor. So, activities are required that propitiate the collaboration of the different sub-sectors to carry out tasks that benefit the destination as a whole. Qual-ity certifications, training and raising awareness among the different players involved will form part of the actions rolled out to attain these objectives.

ACTION: THEMED TOURISM

One of the main attractions for tourism is to have a varied range of products to offer.

Theming amenities, infrastructure and resources is an interesting formula for setting the destination apart, to extend the range of products and to offer services of outstand-ing quality in the destination. By virtue of this, it is key to design activities related to our heritage, such as the landscape, the sky, coastal areas, traditional crops, gastronomy, archaeology, caving and health tourism, among others. Creating and disseminating differ-ent forms of tourism will offer visitors the chance to try new and different experiences. An advisory service for stakeholders requiring it will form part of the actions carried out to attain these ends.

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SCENARIO 3 – GALVANISING KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge has become the main asset of a society and promoting it must be a priority objective for any modern organisation. A society’s intellectual capital must be activated and strengthened through research tools, training, communication and socialisation, a de-fence of the local identity and with the assessment and monitoring of the representative elements of the natural environment and the socio-economic reality. The desired aim is to attain a solution to present individual and collective problems by using and managing knowledge and innovation that fosters a proactive attitude to change.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 2.1 RESEARCH

Obtaining new and renewed knowledge leads to the possibility of solving problems and doubts that have not been solved or understood thus far. Research, in the broadest sense of the term, is the way to enhance our knowledge of the natural, cultural, social, eco-nomic and territorial elements that will lead to systematic, organised and objective con-clusions.

ACTION: KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURAL HERITAGE

Handling and managing biodiversity and ecosystems, rests on our knowledge of the fun-damental principles that govern nature and the relations between its organisms and the impact of mankind. Rolling out this action will promote the implementation of research projects in La Palma WBR itself.

In this sense, it is necessary to drive and develop basic research aimed at determining the main conservation problems of the Island and provide practical solutions for handling biodiversity properly. Activities of this kind are also justified by an absence of research centres of reference on the Island. This entity will also foster research activities with other institutions, while at the same time, favouring and promoting research by other entities or groups on the Island.

ACTION: KNOWLEDGE OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE

We understand the cultural heritage to be the legacy from the past left to a community that is passed on to present and future generations. This way, a series of procedures will be developed to obtain new reliable knowledge about the historic, ethnographic and ar-tistic elements of value, be they tangible or intangible, that reflect the past, present and future of La Palma society. Hence, activities that favour the management of the knowl-

edge of the cultural heritage will be rolled out to conduct research into the traditions, customs and habits of La Palma culture and to catalogue the assets of said heritage.

ACTION: KNOWLEDGE OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND TERRITO-

RIAL REALITY

The prime objective of any intervention, and for research actions, must be the welfare of people. In other words, improve their quality of life. To move towards this objective, a series of procedures will be developed, aimed at obtaining new, reliable knowledge on social, economic and territorial factors as a whole, bearing in mind their degree of interaction. This way, activities that favour the management of knowledge in this field must focus on the social reality of La Palma, such as new socio-economic and territorial dynamics: changes in family structures, demographic trends, the labour market, social protection mechanisms, the development and promotion of the foothills, etc.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 2.2 COMMUNICATION AND SOCIALISA-

TION OF KNOWLEDGE

Socialisation is the process whereby people learn, incorporate and take ownership of the cultural elements of their social environment. Our present society is characterised by an intensive use of knowledge and new information and communication technologies (ICT). To attain a greater impact on society and get them to adopt these rapid social and technological changes, the necessary communication strategies must be implemented, but we need to go beyond mere dissemination if we want this knowledge to be acquired by society. For this reason, training and education are essential in a scenario of global competence and, as a first step, to overcome the digital divide that occurs because of the different speed at which ICT are being adopted in La Palma. This breach not only occurs between one generation and the next, it also occurs between one territory and another, provoking a clear contradiction between town and countryside.

ACTION: COMMUNICATION PLAN

Communication is one of the policies inherent to any activity carried out by an institu-tion, as any entity will need to interact, transmit – internally and externally – demands, needs, aspirations and achievements. Following this premise, communication strategies will be established in all social sectors of the Island to attain a greater transcendence that is in line with the purpose of La Palma WBR and with the objectives of this Action Plan. Hence, activities that favour optimum communication can act as a strategy to disseminate

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or absence. The activities of this action will initially include the identification of the most appropriate indicators for assessing each impact suffered by the Island, while at the same time methodologies will be developed for collecting and gathering data and for analysing it. The process will be completed with the creation and up-dating of data time sets.

ACTION: ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND

TERRITORIAL DYNAMICS

Analysing the socio-economic processes and dynamics that affect or could affect the territory is of prime importance in an island context of great ecosystem fragility and de-pendence on the outside. This way, we can propitiate an exhaustive and true knowledge, through observing and meticulously assessing socio-economic and territorial transfor-mations. These actions will take the form of developing a set of territorial indicators (with special attention to those concerning the urbanisation process) or a toolkit for analysing the impact of migratory processes.

ACTION: SUSTAINABILITY OBSERVATORY

A Sustainability Observatory is a very valuable tool for achieving the main objective of assessing and monitoring the real situation. Development will continue on a system of in-dicators that will provide the best information available for integrally monitoring sustain-ability, for the purpose of making this available to society, to decision-making processes and public participation. These actions will take the form of a toolkit of monitoring indicators and sustainability diagnoses, for example, an island sustainability observatory that brings together the most significant indicators in social, economic, environmental and town planning fields, or island-wide, municipal or sector diagnoses that provide a correct assessment of the realities of the Island.

the meaning of being a biosphere reserve, how to maintain and improve this recognition and the different lines of work that are carried out.

ACTION: INFORMATION SOCIETY

An information society is one in which new technologies facilitate the creation, distribu-tion and handling of information, hence playing an important role in social, cultural and economic activities. It is a challenge to make La Palma society more permeable to these technologies, not to be informed and up to date, but also to innovate, by generating pro-posals and knowledge. This involves harnessing the vast amount of global information in circulation in the local context and gaining access to a genuine democratisation of the wisdom that generates wealth. To this end, we consider it essential to adopt and develop ICT in several sectors, such as electronic administration, information systems (especially geographic ones) and networking.

ACTION: TRAINING

Detecting the training needs of the population will be the first step for implementing training plans in the context of a local setting in which life-long learning is essential. Bringing people’s skills in line with the demands of jobs will translate into sector training plans that encompass a wide range from basic skills for improving the employability of the unemployed, to tutoring the research of undergraduate and post graduate students and, for example, actions aimed at improving the qualifications of businesspeople and professionals of all fields working in the territory on specific aspects that improve their capacities and results, enabling them to adapt to the needs and demands of a society in constant change.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 2.3 CULTURAL FACT AND ELEMENT OF

IDENTITY

The declaration of the Island as a World Biosphere Reserve should not be limited to a recognition of its natural values; it should also take into consideration its rich cultural inheritance, derived from its tri-continental situation and its history, which must be pre-served for future generations. In this sense, the necessary actions will be established to obtain official recognition, even international recognition, of the cultural heritage and hence fostering its conservation and development.

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ACTION: RECOVERING AND PROMOTING THE INTANTIBLE HERIT-

AGE

Based on the rich cultural heritage of La Palma, incentives will be offered for activities that enhance their value, with the emphasis on those that require special attention because of their intangible nature. Identifying the intangible cultural heritage will be the starting point to recover, strengthen and study it with a view to harnessing it as an economic re-source. Recovering the memories of our elders and the oral tradition has become the first step towards not losing the varied body of island culture. Local fiestas, handicraft tech-niques, traditional agricultural uses, etc. could all be considered as recovery-type activities.

ACTION: RECOVERING AND PROMOTING THE TANGIBLE HERIT-

AGE

Identifying the tangible cultural heritage should be the starting point for recovering and strengthening it. Based on this initial study, the chances of harnessing this as an econom-ic resource should be studied, where bringing innovation to the island heritage should be-come a key piece for gaining economic traction driven by resources of this kind. Exam-ples of this include archaeo-astronomy, the recovery of traditional population enclaves for tourism use or the recovery of architectural elements that form part of our identity.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 2.4 ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING

True and up-to-date knowledge of the situation and evolution of the real situation on the Island becomes a priority objective. The purpose of this is to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and suitability of policies and projects to be implemented. The tools used for this do not solve the possible problems per se, but they do identify them, show the causes and suggest a range of alternatives.

ACTION: ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING BIODIVERSITY

Monitoring and assessing biodiversity and ecosystems must become a key tool of this action plan, as it is mainstream to the implementation of other actions.

Establishing protocols for collecting data over time is the foundation for studying its dy-namics. Creating data bases will enable us to predict the future state of biodiversity and take corrective measures in advance. Monitoring will be conducted through key elements of the ecosystem, indicator species that reveal the state of conservation by their presence

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SCENARIO 4 – PEOPLE AND WELFARE

The previous working scenarios guide people towards a new quality of life where the fac-tor to promote has to be social cohesion. With a view to driving a state in which there is a shared vision, we will work for the common interest by facing up to inequalities and chal-lenges, seize new opportunities for welfare and to strengthen the feeling of “we are all a biosphere reserve”, as a synonym for quality of life.

A biosphere reserve territory must seek to protect people and provide them with welfare. Society benefits from and is enriched by the tangible and intangible values a biosphere re-serve has, while the biosphere reserve, in a symbiotic relationship, needs the cohesion and involvement of the local populations and social partners in managing the territory. By guar-anteeing relations based on reciprocity and trust, we seek to be a space of life where there is real harmony between development, conservation and satisfying human needs.

The people-welfare scenario is mainstream to the others and, therefore, must promote the elements that strengthen social cohesion as a distinctive element of the relationship through the following fields of intervention:

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 4.1 RAISING AWARENESS AND ENVIRON-

MENTAL EDUCATION

This field analyses one of the key tools in biosphere reserves, as recognised in the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD 2005-2014).

By raising general and environmental awareness, one can recover the sense of belong-ing to nature and forge closer bonds with the feeling of identity with and maintaining roots in the territory, hence fostering the relationship between culture and biodiversity (bio-cultural diversity). This is a mainstream field which is also intended to provide a col-laborative critical focus to socio-environmental realities by promoting shared solutions to current problems.

Learning, in its different forms, is the only way to achieve positive changes in people’s behaviour capable of leading to a fairer and more sustainable society. Hence, the actions considered in this field involve education for conservation, aimed at enhancing knowl-edge and promoting best practices in the activities implemented in the territory and at minimising the impacts deriving from some of them or at favouring attitudes in everyday life that are more respectful of and responsible towards the environment.

ACTION: PLASIA

The La Palma Island Environmental Information and Awareness Plan (PLASIA from the Spanish) was created over a decade ago. Ever since, it has been an instrument that has guided the activities to be implemented in this area by different entities. The reason for this action is to reformulate and up-date the plan in the face of the new emerging chal-lenges established in La Palma WBR, and all in concordance with the new strategies and tools applicable to both education (formal and non-formal) and environmental informa-tion and awareness. In this sense, one of the priorities must concern the environmental integration of the different activities carried out in the territory.

ACTION: ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION

Environmental interpretation is one of the existing modes in the field of environmen-tal education that offers the possibility of dynamically and practically publicising the elements of the surroundings in their different dimensions in a fun way. To this end, a Public Use Plan of the amenities and resources for environmental interpretation must become the first objective to attain.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 4.2 PARTICPATION

The participation of the general public is a fundamental element for any social change. The road to welfare is led by the individual him or herself, who must accompany and support the process for it to be successful and lasting, with decisions based on consensus that must model the kind of development that is aimed for. To this end, it is essential to foster the right of the citizenry to be consulted and to take part in the decision making process and ensure that it is applied to the full with absolute transparency in manage-ment. In this context, associations and the volunteer movement are some of the best ways of ensuring community participation.

ACTION: SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION

Social involvement is necessary to attain the real and effective participation of society and hence enhance quality of life. This offers a better insight into the demands of the lo-cal population, adapt public responses to these demands, optimise resources and improve services by promoting collective creativity and the cultural know-how of local society.

This action could take the form of, on the one hand, the development of tools, mecha-nisms and meeting points for discussion and sharing points of view among the different sectors of the Island. On the other hand, with all the leisure and free time initiatives that

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foster a galvanisation of the population, art and culture, healthy life styles, etc. which would not be possible without the collaboration and involvement of society in general.

ACTION: ASSOCIAITON MOVEMENT

Associations are part of the general public and, although participation may not be based solely on them, they do represent many of society’s sensitivities. The association move-ment consists of organising and planning actions to improve the quality of life of people locally. To this end, collaboration in specific actions allows people to become aware of their power of influence in resolving the problems that most directly concern them, by facilitating their progressive involvement in more complex challenges.

For this action to take shape, on the one hand, there has to be a change of culture and a strengthening of the association movement and its structures and, on the other hand, a promotion of synergies and collaborative work among different kinds of associations and between these and society in general.

ACTION: COLLABORATION AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR

The voluntary sector that we intend to foster, with priority, is the sector related with man-aging scientific-technical knowledge associated with popular wisdomand life experiences (intellectual volunteer sector).

The people who serve the community have to have a freely-given commitment to the common good, thus becoming a social catalyst.

This action could take the form, on the one hand, of managing knowledge for innova-tion and, on the other, of the work of certain groups for sustainable development, such as, for example, monitoring indicators of different kinds by the local inhabitants.

FIELD OF INTERVENTION 4.3 SOLIDARITY AND CO-OPERATION

Exchanging and sharing technology, research, skill building, education and co-operation opportunities is fundamental to being able to guarantee that biosphere reserves act ef-ficiently as places of learning for sustainable development on a local, regional, national and global scale.

To this end, efforts must be made with actions in which networking is key to improving relations among human beings and between human beings and the environment. On the other hand, actions that foster the support and integration of groups and the collabora-tion of different professionals and institutions (inter-institutional collaboration) are es-

sential to enhance co-operation among them, hence making a local contribution to find-ing solutions and responses to global challenges, in which solidarity, inclusion, goodwill and participation are fundamental parts of the process.

ACTION: RESERVE NETWORK

Networking is key in biosphere reserves, both internationally and regionally, to promote the exchange of information and experiences, to drive the implementation of joint initia-tives and co-operation among biosphere reserves and between these and other adminis-trations and government and non-government organisations with compatible aims.

However, the co-operation and collaboration that can be established with similar bio-sphere reserves, or those in geographic proximity, is especially important. This is the case of the Canary Island Network of Biosphere Reserves, the Eastern Atlantic Network of Biosphere Reserves, the Island and Coastal Zone Network, the Ibero-MaB Network and the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves.

This action could take the form, on the one hand, of establishing strategic alliances, framework agreements and co-operation protocols with biosphere reserves or bodies with similar objectives and, on the other hand, the use of the Network for supporting and fostering opportunities for the exchange of experiences and knowledge.

ACTION: SUPPORT AND INTEGRATION OF GROUPS

Really becoming a more cohesive and inclusive society requires providing answers for all the people with common interests and needs. To this end, it is essential to set up a process of co-operation that supports and integrates everybody, espe-cially those with more basic needs.

This action could take the form of interventions with social groups of the Is-land, fostering programmes of different kinds aimed especially at the more de-structured groups. Programmes that foster inter-generational relations must also be favoured, in order to rescue, compile and transmit the rich flow of cultural and traditional knowledge that has been neglected and forgotten.

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PROGRAMATIC MATRIX

The following Programmatic Matrix systemises the content of the Programmatic Framework, taking as a starting point the 5 key Scenarios. The contents of each of these scenarios is deployed in tables that show the different Fields of Intervention, Actions and Activities, with the exception of the Adaptive Management Scenario that, as it is more mainstream, is represented by means of a diagram, explaining the set of preferential actions as a whole. A total of 13 Fields of Intervention, 34 Ac-tions and 48 Activities are included from the 4 remaining Scenarios.

As we can see in the following explanatory table, information referring to zoning functionality and timelines has been included. Thus, based on zoning, a total of 32 activities to be implemented, preferentially in core zones, are presented, 48 activities in the buffer zone and 45 activities in the transition zone. 20 of these have to be rolled out in the short term, i.e. during the first three years of the plan, 20 are set to be rolled out in the mid-term (between year four and year seven) and finally, 4 are to be tackled in the long term, between year eight and year ten.

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5.2 TERRITORIAL FUNCTIONALITY

This Conservation Function scenario articulates a series of preferential lines on the territory (understood as the physical land-sea-air space) to provide solutions and new focuses aimed at planning and managing the use of resources rationally and compatibly with the preservation of ecosystems and the biological and cultural diversity. It consists of 4 Fields of Intervention, 9 Actions and 14 activities, 9 of which are rolled out preferentially in the core zone, 14 in the buffer zone and 12 in the transition zone. 6 of these interventions are for the short term, 7 for the mid-term and 1 for the long term.

5.1. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

This first scenario that is mainstreamed to the functions of Conservation, Development and Logistics of Biosphere Reserves, attempts to enhance the governability and the efficiency of management by introducing specific objectives from the Seville Strategy, the Madrid Action Plan and the Montseny Action Plan for individual Biosphere Reserves, pertaining to management, tying the functions of Biosphere Reserves to the area and, in short, to adapting to the new regulatory and institutional context for this period. Starting with priority action areas 1 and 2 of the MAP (Co-operation, Management and Communication and Zoning) and line 1 of the PAMO (Adaptive Man-agement in Biosphere Reserves), the fields of intervention that have been chosen are those that are essential for La Palma World Biosphere Reserve to fulfil its mission.

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5.3 GREEN ECONOMY

This scenario, part of the Development Function, encompasses the lines of work capable of generating a competitive, yet fair and sustainable economy. The efficient use of resources and enhancing the value of signs of identity are incentives that may have a positive impact, favouring the differentiation of the Island products and services. There are 2 different preferential Fields of Intervention in this section, which will deploy 7 Actions and 8 Activities. In terms of zoning, 4 of these activities will be carried out in the core zone, 8 in the buffer zone and 8 in the transition zone. 4 of the 8 activities will start in the short term, 3 in the mid-term and 1 in the long term.

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5.4 GALVANISING KNOWLEDGE

The Galvanising Knowledge scenario forms part of the Logistics Function, whose prime purpose is to activate and strengthen activities relating to rescuing and promot-ing identity values, basic and applied research, monitoring and assessment and information, dissemination, communication and training. There are 4 Fields of Interven-tion, with a range of 11 Actions and 16 Activities, 11 for the core zone, 16 for the buffer zone and 15 for the transition zone. 12 of the activities are programmed for the short term, and 4 for the mid-term.

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5.5 PEOPLE AND WELFARE

This mainstream Logistics Function scenario traces the preferential lines and strategies to follow to attain greater social implication and participation, greater social cohesion and respect for and understanding of the environment. The starting point is 3 key Fields of Intervention to deploy 5 Actions and 10 Activities, 8 of which are for the core zone, 10 for the buffer zone and 10 for the transition zone. 2 of these activities are set to start in the short term, 6 in the mid-term and 2 in the long term.

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APPROVAL, IMPLEMENTATIONMONITORING AND ASSESSMENT

BLOCK V

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1. APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN

APPROVAL OF THE LA PALMA WBR ACTION PLAN

The Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Act, Law 42/2007, 13th December, article 67 “Characteristics of Biosphere Reserves” states that “these must have, at least, some specific strategies for moving towards the objectives set, with their corresponding intervention programme and a system of indicators adapted to the guidelines laid down by the Spanish MaB Committee, that make it possible to assess the degree of fulfilment of the objectives of the MaB Programme.

The Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves developed the “Lanzarote Strategy” in 2006. Objective 11.2 of said strategy, “Administrative Organisation and Action Plan” recommends each Biosphere Reserve that forms part of the Network “to es-tablish an Intervention Programme in the short to mid-term and an annual budget that reflects the interventions to be carried out during that period”.

More recently, the Montseny Action Plan (2009-2013), which takes over from the Lanzarote Action Plan, in application of the principles of the world wide Madrid Action Plan (2008-2013), in Objectives 13 and 14, draws attention to the need to apply participative planning models that guarantee the planning of actions to attain the objectives of the Biosphere Reserve and the involvement of all groups commit-ted to its development.

Finally, the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental issues, which was applied in Spain by means of Law 27/2006, 18th July, regulating the rights of access to infor-mation, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters, known as the Aarhus Act, constitutes a leading element in the compulsory nature of the exchange, dissemination and public nature of environmental information and the right of all citizens to participate really and effectively is recognised.

La Palma WBR, which had formulated and developed its second Action Plan (2006-2012) based on participation and consensus, could not ignore a form of working that had characterised it in recent years. Throughout the process, from the initial formulation of the document to its initial approval, we have been in full compliance with objective 10 of the Madrid Action Plan: “Adopt open and participative proce-dures and processes concerning the planning and implementation of the Biosphere Reserve”,and the Canary Island Fostering Citizenry Participation Act, Law 5/2010, 21st June.

As the local population and its representatives are a leading element in the territory, heirs to the heritage that their forefathers have conserved to date and with first hand awareness of the peculiarities of the territory, we have considered their contribution to the contents of this Action Plan essential to guide the actions to be carried out by La Palma WBR.

To this end, a range of participation mechanisms have been put in place in differ-ent ways: social media, e-mails, information meetings, debates, etc., with a view to taking into consideration and taking on board the considerations, contributions and interests of the largest number of people possible.

Once these contributions were obtained, a direct exchange of opinions and the contribution of ideas has been promoted through finding common ground and building a consensus in the different areas of work: Scientific-Technical, made up of the La Palma WBR Technical Committee and Commissions, the La Palma WBR Scientific Council and outside experts; with the Political-Institutional area, and with the Non-Governmental Association Movement.

From the preliminary documents, corrections and contributions have been system-ised, organised and added. The suggestions received have been discussed and finally, based on the ideas collected and other new ones that have emerged from these, the Action Plan has been consolidated.

Once a consensus was reached on the basic document, it was sent to the General Assembly of the La Palma World Biosphere Reserve, the highest decision-making body, for its initial approval, before public consultation on the matter.

Continuing with the initiative of including the greatest possible number of contri-butions to the La Palma WBR Action Plan, a period of public disclosure of the Plan was announced in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, for a period of two months. Once this period had finalised, during which, public participation was promoted through the social media and meeting in the boroughs, among other collaborative actions, and once new contributions had been received and discussed, the Action Plan was once again put to the General Assembly of La Palma WBR for its final approval and publication in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

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• There shall be a person responsible for implementing the actions, who will also be responsible for providing information for monitoring it.

• For each action, a check must be made of, at least, compliance with the timeline, the correct use of the resources assigned and the state of the monitoring indicators set.

Throughout the monitoring process, deviations from the expected results may be detect-ed, either because the actions have been correctly planned and implemented but have not achieved the proposed objectives, or because they have not been planned or implemented properly. In both cases, a review of the actions, timelines and expected results of the Plan will have to be conducted.

Moreover, consideration must be given to the fact that, although it is true that the formu-lation of the actions has a major strategic component, it is also true that this is subject to changes that may require a revision of the objectives and forecasts made at the time they were established in the plan.

Hence, a periodic review of the plan will make it possible to adapt it to the predicted con-texts of the moment, but this will only be done sporadically and the contents of the plan will not be substantially modified.

With regard to the timeline of the intermediate reviews, flexibility should be the main characteristic, as the question is not so much when these should be conducted, but rather that these be done in the framework of the monitoring mechanisms established and that any modifications proposed be timely, such that they may be carried out.

EXTERNAL MONITORING

Apart from internal monitoring, the Social Participation Council, the Scientific Council and the Technical Committee of La Palma WBR shall conduct an external monitoring of the Action Plan, independently of the monitoring and assessments that may be made by other external entities or bodies, such as the Spanish MaB Committee or UNESCO itself.

The objectives of this external monitoring are:

• To report the state of implementation of the action plan.

• Report the degree of fulfilment of the objectives set and their concordance in relation with those established in the MaB Programme.

• Report the incidents detected in the process of execution and implementa-tion of the actions.

• Help to resolve the doubts and incidents arising in the course of the process of rolling out the action plan.

IMPLEMENTING LA PALMA WBR ACTION PLAN

The management and implementation of the La Palma WBR Action Plan falls to the ex-ecutive body of La Palma WBR, the Management, whose mission is the daily management of each of the actions that are organised by the Consortium, while looking out to see that the decisions taken in the General Assembly are correctly implemented.

The Management and its Technical Working Team are tasked with the job of driving and facilitating the fulfilment of the interventions of the La Palma WBR Action Plan, with the collaboration at all times of the support and counselling bodies set up by the Island Con-sortium.

Any action contained in the Action Plan must also have a public participation and citizen collaboration plan and a specific system of indicators to favour social involvement in the management of the La Palma WBR, while also assessing the degree of attainment of the objectives set.

During the phase of implementing the actions of the Plan, special attention will be paid to complying with the projected planning, as this will make it possible to obtain the monitoring indicators that will enable us to monitor the achievement of the objectives of the improve-ment action throughout the process.

The emphasis must also be placed on maintaining a global perspective of what we want to achieve, that is, the main objective is not the process, but the action itself. That is why the actions to be rolled out will be prioritised, taking into considerations criteria that will include their feasibility, complexity and multi-functionality.

In this implementation phase, apart from carrying out the actions, a parallel process of monitoring will be implemented, both internally by the working technical team itself and externally, by the Action Plan assessment bodies.

The implementation of the La Palma WBR Action Plan may be carried out with the biosphere reserve’s own resources, by means of agreements signed with different admin-istrations, or by means of other sources of external funding that do not compromise the posture of the reserve, nor have a negative effect on other lines of strategy included in it.

The funding and the executive report of the Action Plan will be drawn up annually and must be approved by the General Assembly of the La Palma WBR.

MONITORING SYSTEM AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

Any intervention must be assessed and monitored during its implementation, with a view to identifying the fulfilment of its objectives, the involvement of the participating entities, the generation of repercussions from the interventions carried out and the detection of causes or factors of possible failure of the interventions included in the plan.

In the case of La Palma WBR, in the face of the complexity of the institutional and as-sociative fabric, and because the action plan is a range of very different proposals, although they all have the common goal of achieving sustainable development in our territory, a specific monitoring programme will be drawn up.

Monitoring the Action Plan must be based on a procedure that allows the systemisation and organisation of the players involved in said monitoring and it must have a common method for carrying it out, regardless of the fact that different methods may be needed to calculate indicators and obtain results. The indicators may be quantitative and/or qualitative and specific methods need to be applied to attain information to feed them. For this reason, a double system of monitoring is established:

INTERNAL MONITORING

Internal monitoring is essential and shall be carried out by La Palma WBR Management and its technical team, with a set of clear objectives:

• Account for the state of execution of the actions carried out to all committed par-ties.

• Provide information for a periodic review of the plan.

The Management will design and roll out participative actions to identify to what degree the objective and actions of the plan have been fulfilled and to collect new proposals. They will also promote the implementation of modifications and up-dates of the Action Plan when revision, assessment and monitoring activities pertaining to the Plan detect serious deficits that endanger its feasibility or seriously diminish its capacity of action. Based on this, the monitoring process shall take into account a minimum of common elements to guarantee its efficiency and feed back into the action plan itself:

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ACRONYMS AND INITIALS

ICC International Co-ordinating Council of the MaB Programme

WFUNA World Federation of Unesco Clubs, Centres and Associations

GG Greenhouse Gases

MaB Man and the Biosphere

WMG World Millennium Goals

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

PAI Network of Biosphere Reserves of Ibero-America and the Caribbean National MaB Committees’ Action Plan

MAP Madrid Action Plan

PAMO Montseny Action Plan

EDP Endogenous Landscape Development Plan

PIOLP La Palma Island Planning Master Plan

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

PTEOP-LP La Palma Special Territorial Landscape Planning Plan

RERB Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves

WBR World Biosphere Reserve

WNBR World Network of Biosphere Reserves

OR Outermost Region

ICT Information and Communication Technologies

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

PSSA Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas

CONCEPTS

GREEN ECONOMY: A system of economic activities related to the production, distri-bution and consumption of goods and services that generates greater welfare for mankind and reduces inequalities in the long term, without exposing future generations to major environmental risks or to significant ecological deficits.

EUROMAB: A Network made up of Biosphere Reserves of Europe, USA and Canada.

IBEROMAB: Network of Biosphere Reserves of Latin America, Spain and Portugal.

LANDSCAPE: A part of the territory as it is perceived by the population, whose char-acter is the result of the action of natural and/or human factors and their inter-relations.

ENDOGENOUS LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT PLAN: A document that repre-sents the road map to follow in protecting, managing and planning the island landscape and which incorporates the short, mid and long-term interventions of the PTEOP-LP.

LANDSCAPE PLAN: Known technically as the La Palma Special Territorial Planning Plan (PTEOP-LP, from the Spanish). It is a strategic document for implementing the Euro-pean Landscape Convention in La Palma. Its purpose is to formulate the general principles, strategies and guidelines that make it possible to adopt the particular measures for protect-ing, managing and planning the landscape.

MaB Programme: Man and the Biosphere Programme, created by Unesco in 1971 with the objective of promoting inter-disciplinary research, training and communication in the field of conserving ecosystems and the rational use of natural resources.

WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES: This is the largest network of protected areas on the planet, with an area of over 5 million square kilometres, made up of 563 World Biosphere Reserves in 110 countries.

REDBIOS: Network of Biosphere Reserves of the Eastern Atlantic made up of Bio-sphere Reserves of the archipelagos of the Canary Islands (Spain), Madeira and Azores (Portugal), Cape Verde and Sao Tomé y Principe, and Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea Bissau and the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean (Spain-Andalusia/Morocco).

OUTERMOST REGION (OR): Territories belonging to three member states of the European Union (Spain, France and Portugal), situated geographically in distant seas and oceans, but with common characteristics and determining factors that set them apart in the Union thanks to a specific legal statute.

SYSTEM OF INDICATORS

Monitoring through a system of indicators makes it possible to obtain information con-cerning the degree to which the objectives of the action plan have been achieved and the incidents detected in the course of the implementation process, hence a system of indica-tors will be established with a double scoring: on the one hand concerning the dimension of the intervention and, on the other, concerning its impact and result.

• General Indicators of the Dimension of the Action Plan. These are general indica-tors monitored annually, on the dimension of the intervention represented by the Action Plan. To this end, the following are proposed:

• Number and kind of actions from the plan implemented by lines of strategy (sce-narios and fields of intervention).

• Number and kind of entities involved in implementing the plan and in each of the actions.

• Volume of interventions of the action plan that are carried out by other plans or interventions.

• Volume of investment made.

These indicators will help to draw up general reports on the plan that will orient managers in budget decision-making, apart from analysing the involvement of the entities carrying out the plan and their balance.

• Action Plan Results Indicators: physical indicators and indicators of repercussions.

These indicators are associated with the actions of the plan and will enable us to assess to what degree the objectives have been achieved. Two kinds of indicators are established here: physical ones, for each type of action, and impact indicators, which show the effects or impacts of each action on the problems identified in the diagnosis. The latter kind of indicators are quantitative and the appropriate stud-ies or sampling will be conducted to calculate them, so their design and calculation must be addressed while taking into account the final assessment of the Action Plan. Consideration must also be given to the fact that the impact of certain actions can be measured by qualitative methods, even if this entails a certain degree of subjectivity, such is the case, for example, of the image of the Biosphere Reserve or the perception that the local population has of it. The indicators of the impact of each action will be designed with the start of the intervention and specifically for the purpose of its final assessment.

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WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE: Pursuant to the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves “Biosphere Reserves are areas of land or coastal/marine ecosystems, or any combination thereof, recognized internationally as such in the frame-work of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MaB)”.

UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, consti-tuted by 195 Member States and 8 Associate Members, which works to establish a dialogue among civilisations, cultures and people founded on a respect for common values.

PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE SEA AREA: A marine area subject to special protec-tion because of its recognised importance for ecological, socio-economic or scientific reasons,and also due to the risk that its environment could suffer damage as a consequence of maritime activities.

REFERENCES

CANARY ISLAND AGENCY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLI-MATE CHANGE, 2011.Estrategia Canaria de Lucha Contra el Cambio Climático. Avail-able at: http://www.gobcan.es/agenciasostenible/contenido_cc/cambio_can/eclcc.aspx?opc=ecl [Consultation date: 03/02/2012]

Brito A., 2008. Influencia del calentamiento global sobre la biodiversidad marina de las Is- las Canarias. Naturaleza amenazada por los cambios en el clima. Proceedings III Telésforo BravoScienceWeek. Canary Island Institute of Hispanic Studies.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Communication “Strategy for the outermost regions: mile-stones and future prospects” COM (2007) 507 final, 12th of September 2007.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Communication “A stronger partnership for the outer-most regions”, COM (2004) 343 final, 26th of May 2004.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Communication “Towards sustainable water manage-ment in the European Union–First stage of application of the Water Framework Direc-tive (2000/60/ CE)”, COM (2007) 128 final, 22nd of March 2007.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Communication“The outermost regions: an asset for Eu-rope”, COM (2008) 642 final, 17th October.

Del Arco Aguilar, M., 2008. La flora y la vegetación canaria ante el cambio climático actual. Naturaleza amenazada por los cambios en el clima. Proceedings III Telésforo BravoScience-Week. Canary Island InstituteforHispanicStudies.

INM 2005b. Estudio de la tormenta tropical “Delta” y su transición extratropical: Efectos meteorológicos en Canarias. Available at: http://www.inm.es/web/sup/ciencia/divulga/es-tudio_Delta/estudio_Delta.pdf [Consultation date: 28/02/2012]

Ministry of Environment, Countryside and Marine Environment.Estrategia Española de Cambio Climático y Energía Limpia. Horizonte 2007- 2012 -2020.Año 2006.

UNESCO, 1996, Seville Straegy and Statutory Framework of the World Network of Bio-sphere Reserves, UNESCO, Paris.

UNESCO, 2001.Seville + 5, International Meeting of Experts.Proceedings.Avail-able at: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological- sciences/related-info/publications/biosphere-reserves/[Consultation date: 20/02/2012]

UNESCO, 2008, Madrid Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves (2008-2013), UNESCO, Paris.

UNESCO, 2009, Montseny Action Plan for Spanish Biosphere Reserves (2009-2013). UN-ESCO, Paris.

UNESCO, 2010, IberoMaB Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves (2010-2020), UNESCO, Paris.

http://www.gobcan.es/agenciasostenible/contenido_cc/cambio_can/eclcc./

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http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-/

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