Consulting

Nature conservation is an applied science. Knowledge transfer by consulting and advice to administrations, NGOs and politicians is therefore an important target. We are therefore constantly involved in the support of decision-making processes by written and oral contributions. See some examples in the following.

• UNESCO programme “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB)

This global programme targets new approaches
for the sustainable use of nature. The global network
of Biosphere reserves is the basis to reach this goal.
More than 110 states around the world share this
programme.
Harald Plachter was member of the German National
Committee for the MAB programme between 1993
and 2005 and is one of 100 members of the German
UNESCO Commission since 2004 . During this period
10 of the German biosphere reserves were evaluated
and proposals for the future development of biosphere
reserves were specified. These were recently laid down
in a comprehensive book.
(For further information:  www.unesco.de)

 

This convention of 1972 seeks to protect the most spectacular cultural and natural features of “outstanding universal value” by joint efforts of the 180 member states. The rapid growth of the World Heritage List proves the success of this convincing idea.
Harald Plachter was member of the German Delegation for the World Heritage Convention between 1992 and 2004. He is also advisor of the German Ministry for the Environment, Nuclear Safety and Nature Conservation (BMU) for this convention and was Vice Chair for World Heritage of the World Commission for Protected Areas of IUCN.
In a screening study, commissioned by the BMU
on potential nominations from Germany with high
natural values, conducted together with a private
bureau (Institut für Landschaft und Service) in 2004
and 2005 we set up guidelines for  the future
contributions of Germany to the convention.
(For further information: whc.unesco.org)

• Advice for Lake Baikal, Russian Federation
  

Lake Baikal is the deepest and one of the oldest
lakes in the world. It contains about 20 % of the
unfrozen sweet-water resources of the world and
an incredible spectrum of endemic species, inclu-
ding the only freshwater seal in the world and many
highly adapted deep-water species.
Since 1996 Lake Baikal is a World Heritage site.
But it is heavily threatened by pollution, building
development and the over-exploitation of natural
resources. Since 1999 we advice IUCN and
UNESCO on the strategies for the protection of   
this lake. A students’ excursion in 1998 analysed
the situation on location.

• Forest use in Germany
  

Commissioned by the German Advisory Council
for the Environment (SRU) and in close co-
operation with the Institute for Forest Policies of
Freiburg University (Prof. K. R. Volz) we published
in 2000 comprehensive guidelines for forestry in
Germany, emphasizing the target of sustainability
and the perspectives of modern nature conservation.
The interdisciplinary study resulted in a lot of
recommendations unanimously supported by leading
forestry and conservation institutions.      

• The Contribution of Georgia (Caucasus) to a Global Conservation Strategy

  
  

  By support of the German foundation "Stiftung für Bildung und Behindertenförderung" the chair of the institute of general ecology and environment protection of Dresden Technical University (Prof. P.A. Schmidt) and our group conducted a joint study on the outstanding natural values of Georgia. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of the Environment, the Georgian Agrarian State University and different local NGOs. The Caucasus region is a hot spot of biodiversity in northern Eurasia. However, due to different scientific interpretations, the specific highlights of this region are not very clear and are often doubtfully interpreted. We analised the general situation of landuse over time, and identified internationally important natural features on the level of species, ecosystems and landscapes. Deficits in the current Georgian nature conservation strategy regarding monitoring, juridical regulations, and the material state of protection were identified.

  
  The results can be ordered on a CD by request to h.plachter@staff.uni-marburg.de

Endemic Caucasian Parsley Frog Pelodytes caucasicus