Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya ...

During the group and plenary discussions it was noted that there were overlaps in these themesand that some could be usefully embedded within others (e. g., themes 5, 9 and 10 with theme 1,themes 9 and 4 with 2). With this understanding, the thematic niche for CEPF investment wasdefined by themes 1-3 above.CEPF INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND PRIORITIESProgram FocusThe CEPF program focus is firmly on reducing the extinction risk for the 333 globally threatenedspecies in the hotspot and on improving the protection of the 152 sites in which these species arefound (plus the additional nine IBAs). This focus necessarily involves both people and science.Underlying all the threats to the biodiversity in this hotspot is pressure from rapidly increasingand impoverished human populations. These populations have little sympathy or incentive forspecies and habitat conservation and limited awareness of the importance of maintainingecosystem services and functions. The CEPF program, therefore, focuses on actions that willaddress this issue. If these actions are to be effective, they must be grounded in good science.Interventions must be targeted on the most important sites and must be based on scientificallytested best practices. As such, the program also focuses on improving biological knowledge inthe hotspot and on practical applications of conservation science. This focus on people andscience builds on over three decades of research and conservation effort in the Eastern ArcMountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya.Strategic DirectionsFive strategic directions for the CEPF investment strategy were developed. These were based onthe workshop documents, presentations and discussions and on subsequent expert review. Thedocuments and presentations included background on CEPF and its goals, site and speciesoutcomes and the assessments of threats and current investment. The strategic directions aresummarised in Table 6, together with investment priorities and are described in more detailbelow. The order of presentation should not be interpreted as a rank order of importance.Table 6. CEPF strategic funding directions and investment priorities in the Eastern Arc Mountainsand Coastal Forests hotspot (2003-2008)Strategic Funding Directions1. Increase the ability of localpopulations to benefit from andcontribute to biodiversityconservation, especially in andaround:1. Lower Tana River Forests2. Taita Hills3. East Usambaras/Tanga4. Udzungwas5. Jozani ForestInvestment Priorities1.1 Evaluate community-based forest managementinitiatives in the hotspot to determine best practices1.2 Promote nature-based, sustainable businessesthat benefit local populations in the hotspot1.3 Explore possibilities for direct payments andeasements (Conservation Concessions) forbiodiversity conservation in the hotspot andsupport where appropriate1.4 Build the capacity of community-basedorganizations in the hotspot for advocacy insupport of biodiversity conservation at all levels1.5 Support cultural practices that benefit biodiversityin the hotspot.54