TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has taken significant steps to regulate the trade of rosewood species.
EXPLANATION:
- During the 27th meeting of the Plants Committee, held in July 2024, CITES issued new guidelines aimed at ensuring the sustainable harvest and trade of rosewood specimens.
- These guidelines focus on capacity-building efforts and the creation of Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) to safeguard these species from over-exploitation and illegal trade.
Rosewood Species Under CITES
- CITES oversees the international trade of various rosewood species, including those in the genera Dalbergia, Afzelia, Khaya, and Pterocarpus.
- These species are listed in Appendix II of CITES, indicating they are not currently threatened with extinction but could become so if their trade is not regulated.
- The guidelines aim to manage the trade of these species to ensure their long-term survival.
- The guidelines identify 13 high-priority and 14 medium-priority rosewood species for focused conservation efforts.
- These priorities were established based on the “Report on the conservation and trade of CITES-listed rosewood tree species [Leguminosae (Fabaceae)]”.
- The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the conservation status and trade dynamics of these species.
Key Threats and Challenges
- Over-Exploitation and Illegal Trade
- One of the most threatened species highlighted in the meeting is Pterocarpus erinaceus (African rosewood), native to West Africa.
- This species faces severe threats due to over-exploitation and illegal trade.
- As a result, range states of Pterocarpus erinaceus are experiencing trade suspension recommendations under CITES to address concerns about the sustainability and legality of their trade.
- Importance of Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs)
- NDFs are critical for ensuring that the international trade of CITES-listed species does not negatively impact their survival in the wild.
- The guidelines emphasize the need to strengthen connections with the Module on Non-Detriment Findings (NDF) for tree species under the CITES-NDF Guidance.
- Evidence-based NDFs allow for sustainable trade while protecting species from future extinction.
Capacity-Building and Data Utilization
- Report and Data from TRAFFIC Experts
- CITES published a report utilizing data from TRAFFIC experts, which includes locations of existing rosewood NDFs.
- This report aims to aid range states in effective data collection and management plans.
- The report identifies the country of origin and species vulnerability according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and conservation priority.
- Species Characteristics and Trade Levels
- The report outlines the characteristics of rosewood species, their ecological roles, regeneration rates, and global trade levels—both legal and illegal.
- This information is essential for CITES Scientific Authorities to create NDFs and assess the volume of timber that can be exported without threatening the species’ long-term survival.
Upcoming Workshop and Future Actions
- Based on the report’s findings, the CITES secretariat will hold an in-person workshop from September 2-6, 2024, in Douala, Cameroon.
- This workshop will focus on rosewood species, aiming to equip CITES parties with the knowledge and tools needed to prepare informed NDFs and determine sustainable export quotas.
- The workshop will provide a platform for participants to discuss best practices, share data, and collaborate on strategies to ensure the sustainable trade of rosewood species.
- It will also help build the capacity of CITES parties to implement the guidelines effectively and strengthen the conservation of these valuable species.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is a global agreement among governments to regulate or ban international trade in species under threat.
- In the mid-20th century, governments were beginning to recognize that trade in some wild animals and plants had a devastating impact on those species.
- These species were being driven toward extinction through unsustainable use for food, fuel, medicine, and other purposes.
- And while individual governments could control what happened within their borders, they did not have a way to address the impacts of international trade in these species.
- In 1973, 21 countries addressed this issue by signing the CITES agreement.
- CITES remains one of the cornerstones of international conservation.
- There are 184-member Parties and trade is regulated in more than 38,000 species.
- Representatives of CITES nations meet every two to three years at a Conference of the Parties (or COP) to review progress and adjust the lists of protected species.
- The protected species are grouped into three categories with different levels of protection:
- Appendix I –
- Includes the world’s most endangered plants and animals, such as tigers and gorillas.
- International commercial trade in these species, or even parts of them, is completely banned, except in rare cases such as scientific research.
- Appendix II –
- Contains species like corals that are not yet threatened with extinction, but which could become threatened if unlimited trade were allowed.
- Also included are “look-alike” species that closely resemble those already on the list for conservation reasons.
- Plants and animals in this category can be traded internationally, but there are strict rules.
- Appendix III –
- Species whose trade is only regulated within a specific country can be placed on Appendix III if that country requires cooperation from other nations to help prevent exploitation.
- CITES also brings together law enforcement officers from wildlife authorities, national parks, customs, and police agencies to collaborate on efforts to combat wildlife crime targeted at animals such as elephants and rhinos.
- Appendix I –
