Toolkit for supporting conservation decision makers in Myanmar

Summary

Myanmar is facing the challenge of balancing rapid development with the conservation of its rich biodiversity. As international investments, particularly from China, flood the country, the wild crew at WCS has modeled the impacts of major developments on forest ecosystems and clouded leopard populations. With habitat degradation and infrastructure projects threatening core areas, the future of the clouded leopard and other species is at risk. By using the clouded leopard as an ambassador species, efforts are being made to encourage sustainable development that protects both wildlife and natural habitats.

Takeaways

• 😀 Myanmar is experiencing a surge in international investments, particularly from China, after years of isolation.
• 😀 There is an urgent need to balance national development with the conservation of Myanmar's rich biodiversity.
• 😀 The clouded leopard is being used as an ambassador and umbrella species to promote broader conservation efforts.
• 😀 Wild Crew and WCS have modeled the impact of five major development projects on Myanmar’s forest ecosystems.
• 😀 The impact models assess how development proposals affect population dynamics, genetic diversity, and habitat connectivity.
• 😀 Habitat degradation is already causing a decline in clouded leopard populations, with further decline expected under current development scenarios.
• 😀 Combining all proposed development scenarios could lead to a 36% loss in landscape connectivity and a 29% decrease in clouded leopard populations.
• 😀 Emerging economic zones and infrastructure projects such as highways, railroads, and pipelines are the greatest threats to clouded leopards and their habitats.
• 😀 Specific development projects, like the Indian highway and Silk Road, will fragment key habitats for clouded leopards.
• 😀 Wild Crew and WCS have met with Myanmar’s government officials to discuss how development planning can integrate conservation goals using Wild Crew’s toolkit.
• 😀 The goal is to strike a balance between development and conservation by using the clouded leopard as a symbol for forest preservation.

Q & A

Why is Myanmar receiving significant international investments, and what challenges does this pose?

Myanmar is receiving international investments, particularly from China, due to its growing potential for economic development. However, this influx of investment poses challenges in balancing national development with the conservation of its biodiversity, which is at risk from large-scale infrastructure projects.

What role does the clouded leopard play in Myanmar’s conservation efforts?

The clouded leopard is used as an ambassador species for forest conservation. As an umbrella species, protecting the clouded leopard also helps conserve a wide range of other species and the forest ecosystems in which they live.

What were the key objectives of Wild Crew and WCS’s modeling study?

The primary objectives of the study were to model the impacts of five major development proposals on forest ecosystems, and to assess the effects of these developments on the population dynamics, genetic diversity, and habitat connectivity of clouded leopards.

What were the key findings regarding the future of clouded leopard populations in Myanmar?

The study found that current levels of habitat degradation are already affecting clouded leopard populations, with a projected decline in population sizes. When all development scenarios were considered, habitat connectivity was expected to decrease by 36%, leading to a 29% decline in population sizes.

How do emerging economic zones impact clouded leopard habitats in Myanmar?

Emerging economic zones are expected to disproportionately affect clouded leopards by fragmenting their largest core habitats. This fragmentation threatens the species’ survival by isolating populations and hindering their movement between critical habitats.

What are some specific infrastructure projects mentioned that threaten clouded leopard habitats?

The Indian Highway, the Silk Road, and the pipeline railroad are all major infrastructure projects identified as threats. These developments are expected to fragment the largest core habitats for clouded leopards and decrease habitat connectivity, which is essential for the species' survival.

What does the modeling study predict about the impact of the pipeline and railroad on clouded leopard populations?

The study predicts that the pipeline and railroad will significantly reduce connectivity in the main stronghold for clouded leopards, further isolating populations and increasing the likelihood of population decline due to reduced genetic diversity and limited movement corridors.

How have Wild Crew and WCS collaborated with Myanmar’s government to address these conservation challenges?

Wild Crew and WCS have met with Myanmar’s government ministers and senior officials to discuss how the government’s development planning can integrate conservation strategies. Their toolkit is being used to strike a balance between development and biodiversity protection, with clouded leopards serving as a key focus for forest conservation.

What is the long-term goal of the collaboration between conservationists and Myanmar’s government?

The long-term goal is to help Myanmar pursue a path of sustainable development that prioritizes both economic growth and the protection of its rich biodiversity, ensuring that critical species like the clouded leopard continue to thrive in the face of development.

How does the clouded leopard serve as an 'umbrella species' for wider biodiversity conservation?

As an umbrella species, the clouded leopard’s conservation serves as a proxy for protecting a broader range of species and the entire forest ecosystem. By safeguarding their habitats, many other species that share the same environment also benefit from conservation efforts.