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On September 24, 2021, with the consent of the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Measures for the Administration of Access to Biological Genetic Resources and Related Traditional Knowledge and Benefit Sharing (for Trial Implementation) was promulgated and implemented by the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which becomes the first provincial regulation on access to biological genetic resources and related traditional knowledge and benefit-sharing in China.

Access to biological genetic resources and related traditional knowledge and benefit-sharing in Guangxi have been standardized and legalized.

The consent of governmental bodies and local communities are necessary to ensure success.

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One Health Proactive Approach

WAB-Net takes a One Health approach in conducting collaborative research and training programs in West Asia, bringing regional expertise that are otherwise siloed in sectors of human, animal, and environmental health. Samples taken from bats across the region are screened for known and novel coronaviruses; human behaviors that could present a spillover risk are identified. WAB-Net serves as the unifying point of virology, bat ecology, and public health initiatives in the region. By coordinating conversations between experts in diverse fields of study, opportunities for novel research questions, more comprehensive agendas, and better-informed policy recommendations are created and implemented.

EcoHealth Alliance, with experts on global One Health research and policy, serves as WAB-Net’s facilitators and instills a One Health lens on all of its work. Previous experience with bringing together experts from diverse fields and finding commonalities across topics enables them to effectively carry out multi-disciplinary endeavors in a politically volatile region.

As demonstrated by the COVID-19 global crisis, mitigation efforts after a spillover event occurs often are more costly to both public health and the global economies. A proactive approach to pandemic prevention is made possible through WAB-Net’s work of monitoring both potentially zoonotic viruses in bat populations and human behavior. WAB-Net’s focus on both research objectives and training efforts enhances biosafety throughout all steps of the research process. The collaborative nature of the One Health approach creates more comprehensive and effective recommendations for public health, conservation efforts, and disease management.

Team determination

Some team members

Tengeneza Generaration

Our work involves self-motivation and self-financing. TEG team determination to support the conservation of biodiversity and empowerment of youth living adjacent to nature reserves includes organizing online exhibitions and online behaviour change campaigns. With or without external support, TEG staff have volunteerly engaged with donors, government officials, and communities in designing the program, fundraising, and implementing it.

TEG founders and Alumni internal support in skills development trainings, in conducting baseline surveys and reflections on issues relating to conservation, in connecting with stakeholders, and financing of some of the activities.

As a youth organization we have been growing by first willing to invest in ourselves, in our credibility and capability before attaching donors and partners. TEG Team and TEG alumni’s determination was our only asset to do that.

Documentation and dissemination of results

Economic drivers

Reptile farming is well positioned to capitalize on emerging markets. Until recently, reptiles have been somewhat overlooked and undervalued due to colonial legacies and euro-centric agri-food tendencies towards warm-blooded livestock. Reptile products are mostly valued in the Global South where the impacts of climate change are predicted to be acute and the drivers for transformational change are dynamic. Dovetailing a novel agri-food sustainability concept with traditional cultural and culinary values in tropical regions offers unique economic opportunities. That said, future growth will depend on good farming practices and close supervision by veterinary and other authorities. Research on envionmental impacts and broader health implications (e.g., feeding unprocessed animal waste protein to reptile livestock) is essential.

The reptile industry holds substantial growth potential. Established local and international markets exist for meat, skins, pets, and various body parts used in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. squalene oil). Farmers are typically linked to multiple revenue streams and financial risks are spread across multiple geographies. These economic opportunities are complimented by the ability to scale management inputs and outputs in accordance with adaptive physiologies in order to buffer farmers against the impacts of economic and environmental shocks.

Many reptile production models are expanding via vertical and horizontal integration (i.e., emergence of corporate factory farms). Development approaches that focus purely on economic profitability may compromise the viability of small-scale production models and threaten key animal welfare, environmental, and social sustainability credentials. The loss of democratic food systems presents a risk to regional food security and food sovereignty.

Low start-up and running costs

A number of different reptile species are farmed in Vietnam, ranging from small turtles and lizards to large pythons and crocodiles. Production scales are equally diverse, ranging from micro to industrial factory farms. Market entry requirements for some species are minimal, and many production models can be synergised with existing livelihood strategies at minimal cost. For example, snake farming can compliment seasonal rice growing via free ecological pest management (i.e., harvesting rodent pests to feed farmed snakes).

Enclosure materials are typically cheap and readily available (e.g., similar to backyard poultry). Vertically orientated housing designs, low waste output, and minimal freshwater requirements allow for commercially viable production models at the micro-scale in high density urban settings.

Volatile trends in the food and fashion industry and public perceptions of reptile products can impact the viability of small-scale, independent entities. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the closure of some small-scale farms that rely on meat exports. Stabilising supply and demand dynamics is essential for the long term viability and growth of the industry.

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Robust monitoring framework

The expected benefits of the coastal realignment were documented in the planning phase and baselines established. These informed the ongoing monitoring of impacts. Immediately after project completion, a 5-year monitoring programme was implemented. Annual reports summarised findings and lessons learned, which were shared and discussed with local stakeholders, external consultants, academia and risk management authorities in south England. Approaches to project planning and implementation were adjusted as needed. For instance, the approach applied to engaging the local community was adapted based on early experiences and analysis of challenges and barriers.

The involvement of specialist groups and experts to address specific challenges, such as habitat conservation, the preservation of archaeological findings, etc. proved essential to monitor results, minimise impacts on project implementation timelines and to resolve stakeholder concerns.

Continuous and regular monitoring was essential and the use of novel techniques (e.g. satellite imagery) and various approaches offered valuable insights on the complexity of processes in the intervention site. A clear monitoring plan that linked findings to project objectives and measures of success provided data on the impact of the intervention.

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Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem integrity

The expected impacts on the ecosystems in the intervention areas were captured in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This included a mapping of any risks to biodiversity during construction and implementation of appropriate mitigation measures. For instance, water voles were translocated prior to the start of the works. A focus on biodiversity protection resulted in the creation of around 300 hectares of coastal habitat and a network of freshwater habitats as well as the enhancement of regulatory services, including for climate, water, natural hazards and erosion regulation as well as water purification and waste treatment. Further, the intervention contributed to an increase of saltmarsh plants, breeding bird populations, invertebrate abundance, marine mollusc species, water voles, reptiles and fish diversity.

Baseline data on biodiversity (through ecological surveys) was gathered as well as biodiversity outcomes benchmarked and identified during the 5-year monitoring period now continued by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSBP), who manages most of the project area since 2013 as a nature reserve as part of a 99 year lease. Monitoring methods included bird surveys, vegetation and habitat mapping exercises (including by using satellites), an invertebrate survey and sampling, surveys of reptiles, fish surveys, etc.

Evidence-based assessments of the state of the ecosystem prior to the start of the intervention enabled the identification of clear and measurable biodiversity outcomes and benchmarks. They also supported periodic monitoring and assessments to avoid adverse impacts and take appropriate measures in response to enhance ecosystems, species and ecological processes.

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Participatory and collaborative approaches

The project placed particular emphasis on stakeholder engagement and participation of local communities in all phases of the project. This included proactively providing information about the benefits of the coastal realignment, gaining widespread support for the intervention and seeking community views and inputs. A comprehensive stakeholder analysis allowed a mapping of how to best engage with the different stakeholders. This was documented in a stakeholder engagement plan. To facilitate regular engagement, representatives from stakeholders and community groups were nominated by their community to become members of a Medmerry Stakeholder Advisory Group.

A Medmerry Stakeholder Advisory Group was established, made up of key individuals of the local community, including Parish Councils, local businesses and residents most affected by the coastal realignment. The Advisory Group helped shape the design of the project and met regularly to discuss any issues and concerns. The group also shaped many of the design aspects of the intervention.

The active and intentional involvement of the local community and subsequent support generated, contributed significantly to the success of the Nature-based Solution. This transparent and structured engagement throughout the project and in decision-making processes – starting with the design stage – helped to address concerns, to build trust and to create ownership. Balancing the needs and wants of a diverse range of stakeholders is not easy. We worked hard to make clear what is within scope for discussion and what limits are in place, i.e. price or significant impacts to time. Setting a boundary allowed targeted and realistic solutions to become a greater focus of the conversation.

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