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European soil charter
148
Biological Conservation
uniqueness and its roots in the culture and religion of the people of Ceylon. As a consequence of this Memorandum and of local press campaigns, the Prime Minister of Ceylon has appointed a Royal Commission to re-examine the plywood project. A booklet describing what is known about the flora and fauna of Sinharaja has been published by the Wildlife Society, whose address is Chaitiya Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The June 1972 issue of Loris, the journal of the society, contains one Editorial and two articles on the conservation of primary forests in Ceylon. WILLEMMEIJER
School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, USA
EUROPEAN SOIL CHARTER
To put a stop to the steady deterioration of land, the Council of Europe has adopted a European Soil Charter setting out 12 basic principles. Drawn up by experts on the conservation of Nature and natural resources, the Charter has now been adopted by the Council's Committee of Ministers. The application of these principles by the member States of the Council of Europe will promote the protection of soils against damage from natural or human causes and, where necessary, their reconstitution. Soil is one of humanity's most precious assets, as it supports plant and animal life and Man himself, but it is also a limited resource, which is easily destroyed-chiefly through the effects of erosion, ill-chosen techniques, and pollution (particularly by chemical fertilizers and pesticides). To avert these dangers, the Charter urges that regional planning policy should be conceived according to the properties of the various soils and the needs of today's and tomorrow's society. The destruction of soils for economic reasons must be avoided; this is why it is important that a strict inventory of soil resources should be prepared in every country. The public should be informed of these problems and, consequently, scientifically-accurate instruction in the principles of soil conservation should be given to children at all levels of education as well as to adults in rural communities. Governments are also called on to plan and use soil resources rationally--not only considering immediate needs, but maintaining their productive capacity. The States which accept the Charter are called on to devote
to its implementation all the funds necessary for the pursuance of a genuine soil conservation policy. The (edited) text of the Charter follows. I. Soil is one of humanity's most precious assets. It allows plants, animals, and Man, to live on the earth's surface. Soil is a living and dynamic medium which supports plant and animal life. It is vital to Man's existence as a source of food and raw materials. It is a fundamental part of the biosphere and, together with vegetation and climate, helps to regulate the circulation and affects the quality of water. Soil is an entity in itself. As it contains traces of the evolution of the earth and its living creatures, and is the basic element of the landscape, its scientific and cultural interest must be taken into consideration. 2. Soil is a limited resource which is easily destroyed. Soil is a thin layer covering part of the earth's surface. Its use is limited by climate and topography. It forms slowly by physical, physico-chemical, and biological, processes but it can be quickly destroyed by careless action. Its productive capacity can be improved by careful management over years or decades but, when once it is diminished or destroyed, reconstitution of the soil may take centuries. 3. Industrial society uses land for agriculture as well as for industrial and other purposes. A regional planning policy must be conceived in terms of the properties of the soil and the needs of today's and tomorrow's society. Soil may be put to many uses and it is generally exploited according to economic and social necessity, but the use made of it must depend on its properties, its fertility, and the socio-economic services which it is capable of providing for the world of today and tomorrow. These properties thus govern the suitability of land for farming, forestry, or other uses. Destruction of soil, in particular for purely economic reasons, based on considerations of short-term yield, must be avoided. Marginal lands raise special problems and special opportunities for soil conservation because, properly managed, they have great potential as nature reserves, reafforestation areas, protection zones against soil erosion and avalanches, reservoirs, regulators of water systems, and recreation zones. 4. Farmers and foresters must apply methods that preserve the quality of the soil. Machinery and modern techniques permit considerable increases in yields, but, if used indiscriminately, they may disrupt the natural balance of the soil, altering its physical, chemical, and biological, characteristics. The destruction of organic matter in the soil by inappropriate methods of cultivation, and the misuse of heavy machinery, are important factors in impairing soil structure and, hence, the yield of arable
Conservation Around the Worm
149
9. An inventory of soil resources is indispensable. For effective land planning and management, and to permit the establishment of a genuine policy of conservation and improvement, the properties of the different types of soil, their capabilities and distribution, must be known. Each country must make an inventory, as detailed as may be necessary, of its soft resources. Soil maps, supplemented as appropriate by special maps on land-use, geology, real and potential hydro5. Soil must be protected against erosion. geology of soils, soil capability, vegetation, hydrology, Soil is exposed to the weather; it is eroded by water, and the like, are necessary for this purpose. The wind, snow, and ice. Careless human activity speeds up production of such maps by specialized agencies the process of erosion by damaging the soil's structure working together is a basic necessity in each country. and reducing its normal resistance to erosive action. These maps should be prepared in such a way as to In all situations, suitable physical and biological permit comparison at the international level. methods must be applied to protect the soil against accelerated erosion. Special measures must be taken in 10. Further research and interdisciplinary collaboraareas that are liable to floods and avalanches. tion are required to ensure wise use and conservation o f the soil. 6. Soil must be protected against pollution. Research on soil and its use must be supported to Certain chemical fertilizers and pesticides, used the full. On it depend the perfecting of conservation without discernment or control, may accumulate in techniques in agriculture and forestry, the elaboration cultivated land and may thus contribute to the of standards for the application of chemical fertilizers, pollution of soil, ground-water, watercourses, and air. the development of substitutes for toxic pesticides, and If industry or agriculture discharges toxic residues or methods of suppressing pollution. organic wastes that could endanger the land and Scientific research is essential to prevent the consewater, those responsible must provide for adequate quences of wrong use of the soil in any human treatment of water or the disposal of wastes in suitable activity. Because of the complexity of the problems places, as well as for the restoration of the dumping involved, such research must form part of the work areas after use. of multidisciplinary centres. International exchange of 7. Urban development must be planned so that it information and coordination must also be encouraged. causes as little damage as possible to adjoining areas. 11. Soil conservation must be taught at all levels and Towns obliterate the soil upon which they stand and affect neighbouring areas as a result of providing the be kept to an ever-increasing extent in the public eye. Increasing publicity, adapted to national and local infrastructure that is necessary to urban life (roads, water supplies, etc.) and by producing growing requirements, must be given to the need for conservation of the quality of the soil and the methods by which quantities of waste which must be disposed of. Urban development must be concentrated and so this aim can be achieved. Authorities should strive to planned that it avoids as far as possible taking over ensure that the information given to the public by the good soil and harming or polluting soil in farmland 'mass media' is scientifically correct. Soil conservation principles must be fully included and forest, in nature reserves and recreational areas. in teaching programmes at all levels as an element of 8. In civil engineering projects, the effects on adjacent environmental education as such--at primary, seconland must be assessed during planning, so that adequate dary, and university, levels. Techniques of soil conserprotective measures can be reckoned in the cost. vation must be taught in faculties and schools of Operations such as the building of dams, bridges, engineering, agriculture, and forestry, and to adults in roads, canals, factories, or houses, may have a more or rural communities. less permanent influence on surrounding land, both
crops. The soil structure of grassland may be similarly damaged by intensive stocking. Forestry should put appropriate emphasis on methods for improved exploitation which will prevent soil deterioration. Methods of tillage and harvesting should conserve and improve the properties of the soil. The introduction of new techniques on a wide scale should be undertaken only after any possible disadvantages have been studied.
close at hand and at a distance. Often they alter natural 12. Governments and those in authority must purposedrainage and water-tables. Such repercussions must be fully plan and administer soil resources. assessed, so that suitable measures can be taken to Soil is an essential but limited resource. Therefore, counteract damage. its use must be planned rationally--which means that Costs of measures to protect the surrounding area the competent planning authorities must not only must be calculated at the planning stage and, if the consider immediate needs but also ensure long-term installation is temporary, costs of restoration must be conservation of the soil, while increasing or at least included in the budget. maintaining its productive capacity.
150
Biological Conservation
A proper policy of soil conservation is therefore needed, which implies an appropriate administrative structure that is necessarily centralized and properly coordinated at the regional level. Appropriate legislation is also required to allow the planned apportionment of land for different uses in regional and national development, to control techniques of land-use which might cause deterioration or pollution of the environment, to protect the soil against the inroads of natural and human hazards, and to restore it where necessary. States which accept the principles set out above should undertake to devote the necessary funds to their implementation and promote a genuine soil conservation policy. COUNCIL OF EUROPE,
Maison de l'Europe, 67 Strasbourg, France
THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND 1N FINLAND
The WWF's 18th National Appeal was launched in Finland on 16 October 1972 by the Fund's President, HRH The Prince of The Netherlands. The President of Finland, Dr Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, agreed to become Honorary President of the Finnish National Appeal. He declared: 'The establishment of the Finnish Fund of the World Wildlife Fund has both international and national dimensions. Joining the chain of national funds of the WWF means, on our part, a new step towards active participation in the global responsibility of mankind-responsibility for saving the wildlife threatened everywhere in the world. It means, too, that our own protection targets come within the sphere of the World Wildlife Fund's control and care. I have gladly accepted the honorary chairmanship of the Finnish Fund now established . . . . I believe that we Finns, for whom contact with Nature has always been a source of strength, health, and safety, in times of both peace and crisis, wish to participate also economically in preserving the most threatened elements of Nature, and in the care of the health of our environment.' The Prince of The Netherlands recalled that it was only in 1970 that the World Wildlife Fund managed to get a foothold in Fennoscandinavia, with the establishment of a national appeal in Norway. Sweden and Denmark followed, and now Finland made the 'northern family' complete. Dr Luc Hoffmann, Executive Vice-President of the World Wildlife Fund, told the gathering: 'We are raising money to sow it in the fields of our project operations, where we hope that it will produce a crop
worth many times the cost of the seeds, and we use the success of this "agriculture" to encourage as many others as possible to do the same.' The Chairman of the Finnish National Appeal is Mr Hannu Tarmio, Managing Director of the publishing house, WSOY, and the Secretary General is Mr Kalevi K. Malmstr6m, a leading conservationist, journalist, and public relations expert. A resolution issued by the Board of the new Fund said: 'The future of mankind on earth is inseparably linked with the future of Nature, and the future of both depends on stopping waste and conserving natural resources, planning and stabilizing human population, preventing pollution, and preserving life's varied forms . . . . Animals and plants have evolved over millions of years; Man is incapable of recreating even one species he has destroyed. It is our duty to prevent irreparable damage, and this duty extends to the area of the third world--to the developing countries, which seldom have the resources to finance this type of activity. The duty of the world's affluent countries, of which Finland is one, is to help in this work, and it can best be done via the World Wildlife Fund.' Founded in 1961, the World Wildlife Fund now has National Appeals functioning in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States of America. By October 1972 the Fund had channelled $9,205,929 to 754 conservation projects all over the world. PETER F. R. JACKSON,
Director of Information, World Wildlife Fund, 1110 Morges, Switzerland
SAVING THE WILD FLOWERS OF ISRAEL
The flora of Israel has about 2,500 species of higher plants, among them a few hundreds of so-called 'flowers'--that is, plants of which the flowers are commonly picked. Of those there are some in real danger of drastic decrease, and some are on the verge of extinction. This is especially true of bulb and other geophytes of the families Iridaceae, Liliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Orchidaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Primulaceae. The founders of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, twenty years ago, were conscious of this fact; but their only means of action were explaining or preaching--more often than not to deaf ears.
Biological Conservation
uniqueness and its roots in the culture and religion of the people of Ceylon. As a consequence of this Memorandum and of local press campaigns, the Prime Minister of Ceylon has appointed a Royal Commission to re-examine the plywood project. A booklet describing what is known about the flora and fauna of Sinharaja has been published by the Wildlife Society, whose address is Chaitiya Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The June 1972 issue of Loris, the journal of the society, contains one Editorial and two articles on the conservation of primary forests in Ceylon. WILLEMMEIJER
School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, USA
EUROPEAN SOIL CHARTER
To put a stop to the steady deterioration of land, the Council of Europe has adopted a European Soil Charter setting out 12 basic principles. Drawn up by experts on the conservation of Nature and natural resources, the Charter has now been adopted by the Council's Committee of Ministers. The application of these principles by the member States of the Council of Europe will promote the protection of soils against damage from natural or human causes and, where necessary, their reconstitution. Soil is one of humanity's most precious assets, as it supports plant and animal life and Man himself, but it is also a limited resource, which is easily destroyed-chiefly through the effects of erosion, ill-chosen techniques, and pollution (particularly by chemical fertilizers and pesticides). To avert these dangers, the Charter urges that regional planning policy should be conceived according to the properties of the various soils and the needs of today's and tomorrow's society. The destruction of soils for economic reasons must be avoided; this is why it is important that a strict inventory of soil resources should be prepared in every country. The public should be informed of these problems and, consequently, scientifically-accurate instruction in the principles of soil conservation should be given to children at all levels of education as well as to adults in rural communities. Governments are also called on to plan and use soil resources rationally--not only considering immediate needs, but maintaining their productive capacity. The States which accept the Charter are called on to devote
to its implementation all the funds necessary for the pursuance of a genuine soil conservation policy. The (edited) text of the Charter follows. I. Soil is one of humanity's most precious assets. It allows plants, animals, and Man, to live on the earth's surface. Soil is a living and dynamic medium which supports plant and animal life. It is vital to Man's existence as a source of food and raw materials. It is a fundamental part of the biosphere and, together with vegetation and climate, helps to regulate the circulation and affects the quality of water. Soil is an entity in itself. As it contains traces of the evolution of the earth and its living creatures, and is the basic element of the landscape, its scientific and cultural interest must be taken into consideration. 2. Soil is a limited resource which is easily destroyed. Soil is a thin layer covering part of the earth's surface. Its use is limited by climate and topography. It forms slowly by physical, physico-chemical, and biological, processes but it can be quickly destroyed by careless action. Its productive capacity can be improved by careful management over years or decades but, when once it is diminished or destroyed, reconstitution of the soil may take centuries. 3. Industrial society uses land for agriculture as well as for industrial and other purposes. A regional planning policy must be conceived in terms of the properties of the soil and the needs of today's and tomorrow's society. Soil may be put to many uses and it is generally exploited according to economic and social necessity, but the use made of it must depend on its properties, its fertility, and the socio-economic services which it is capable of providing for the world of today and tomorrow. These properties thus govern the suitability of land for farming, forestry, or other uses. Destruction of soil, in particular for purely economic reasons, based on considerations of short-term yield, must be avoided. Marginal lands raise special problems and special opportunities for soil conservation because, properly managed, they have great potential as nature reserves, reafforestation areas, protection zones against soil erosion and avalanches, reservoirs, regulators of water systems, and recreation zones. 4. Farmers and foresters must apply methods that preserve the quality of the soil. Machinery and modern techniques permit considerable increases in yields, but, if used indiscriminately, they may disrupt the natural balance of the soil, altering its physical, chemical, and biological, characteristics. The destruction of organic matter in the soil by inappropriate methods of cultivation, and the misuse of heavy machinery, are important factors in impairing soil structure and, hence, the yield of arable
Conservation Around the Worm
149
9. An inventory of soil resources is indispensable. For effective land planning and management, and to permit the establishment of a genuine policy of conservation and improvement, the properties of the different types of soil, their capabilities and distribution, must be known. Each country must make an inventory, as detailed as may be necessary, of its soft resources. Soil maps, supplemented as appropriate by special maps on land-use, geology, real and potential hydro5. Soil must be protected against erosion. geology of soils, soil capability, vegetation, hydrology, Soil is exposed to the weather; it is eroded by water, and the like, are necessary for this purpose. The wind, snow, and ice. Careless human activity speeds up production of such maps by specialized agencies the process of erosion by damaging the soil's structure working together is a basic necessity in each country. and reducing its normal resistance to erosive action. These maps should be prepared in such a way as to In all situations, suitable physical and biological permit comparison at the international level. methods must be applied to protect the soil against accelerated erosion. Special measures must be taken in 10. Further research and interdisciplinary collaboraareas that are liable to floods and avalanches. tion are required to ensure wise use and conservation o f the soil. 6. Soil must be protected against pollution. Research on soil and its use must be supported to Certain chemical fertilizers and pesticides, used the full. On it depend the perfecting of conservation without discernment or control, may accumulate in techniques in agriculture and forestry, the elaboration cultivated land and may thus contribute to the of standards for the application of chemical fertilizers, pollution of soil, ground-water, watercourses, and air. the development of substitutes for toxic pesticides, and If industry or agriculture discharges toxic residues or methods of suppressing pollution. organic wastes that could endanger the land and Scientific research is essential to prevent the consewater, those responsible must provide for adequate quences of wrong use of the soil in any human treatment of water or the disposal of wastes in suitable activity. Because of the complexity of the problems places, as well as for the restoration of the dumping involved, such research must form part of the work areas after use. of multidisciplinary centres. International exchange of 7. Urban development must be planned so that it information and coordination must also be encouraged. causes as little damage as possible to adjoining areas. 11. Soil conservation must be taught at all levels and Towns obliterate the soil upon which they stand and affect neighbouring areas as a result of providing the be kept to an ever-increasing extent in the public eye. Increasing publicity, adapted to national and local infrastructure that is necessary to urban life (roads, water supplies, etc.) and by producing growing requirements, must be given to the need for conservation of the quality of the soil and the methods by which quantities of waste which must be disposed of. Urban development must be concentrated and so this aim can be achieved. Authorities should strive to planned that it avoids as far as possible taking over ensure that the information given to the public by the good soil and harming or polluting soil in farmland 'mass media' is scientifically correct. Soil conservation principles must be fully included and forest, in nature reserves and recreational areas. in teaching programmes at all levels as an element of 8. In civil engineering projects, the effects on adjacent environmental education as such--at primary, seconland must be assessed during planning, so that adequate dary, and university, levels. Techniques of soil conserprotective measures can be reckoned in the cost. vation must be taught in faculties and schools of Operations such as the building of dams, bridges, engineering, agriculture, and forestry, and to adults in roads, canals, factories, or houses, may have a more or rural communities. less permanent influence on surrounding land, both
crops. The soil structure of grassland may be similarly damaged by intensive stocking. Forestry should put appropriate emphasis on methods for improved exploitation which will prevent soil deterioration. Methods of tillage and harvesting should conserve and improve the properties of the soil. The introduction of new techniques on a wide scale should be undertaken only after any possible disadvantages have been studied.
close at hand and at a distance. Often they alter natural 12. Governments and those in authority must purposedrainage and water-tables. Such repercussions must be fully plan and administer soil resources. assessed, so that suitable measures can be taken to Soil is an essential but limited resource. Therefore, counteract damage. its use must be planned rationally--which means that Costs of measures to protect the surrounding area the competent planning authorities must not only must be calculated at the planning stage and, if the consider immediate needs but also ensure long-term installation is temporary, costs of restoration must be conservation of the soil, while increasing or at least included in the budget. maintaining its productive capacity.
150
Biological Conservation
A proper policy of soil conservation is therefore needed, which implies an appropriate administrative structure that is necessarily centralized and properly coordinated at the regional level. Appropriate legislation is also required to allow the planned apportionment of land for different uses in regional and national development, to control techniques of land-use which might cause deterioration or pollution of the environment, to protect the soil against the inroads of natural and human hazards, and to restore it where necessary. States which accept the principles set out above should undertake to devote the necessary funds to their implementation and promote a genuine soil conservation policy. COUNCIL OF EUROPE,
Maison de l'Europe, 67 Strasbourg, France
THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND 1N FINLAND
The WWF's 18th National Appeal was launched in Finland on 16 October 1972 by the Fund's President, HRH The Prince of The Netherlands. The President of Finland, Dr Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, agreed to become Honorary President of the Finnish National Appeal. He declared: 'The establishment of the Finnish Fund of the World Wildlife Fund has both international and national dimensions. Joining the chain of national funds of the WWF means, on our part, a new step towards active participation in the global responsibility of mankind-responsibility for saving the wildlife threatened everywhere in the world. It means, too, that our own protection targets come within the sphere of the World Wildlife Fund's control and care. I have gladly accepted the honorary chairmanship of the Finnish Fund now established . . . . I believe that we Finns, for whom contact with Nature has always been a source of strength, health, and safety, in times of both peace and crisis, wish to participate also economically in preserving the most threatened elements of Nature, and in the care of the health of our environment.' The Prince of The Netherlands recalled that it was only in 1970 that the World Wildlife Fund managed to get a foothold in Fennoscandinavia, with the establishment of a national appeal in Norway. Sweden and Denmark followed, and now Finland made the 'northern family' complete. Dr Luc Hoffmann, Executive Vice-President of the World Wildlife Fund, told the gathering: 'We are raising money to sow it in the fields of our project operations, where we hope that it will produce a crop
worth many times the cost of the seeds, and we use the success of this "agriculture" to encourage as many others as possible to do the same.' The Chairman of the Finnish National Appeal is Mr Hannu Tarmio, Managing Director of the publishing house, WSOY, and the Secretary General is Mr Kalevi K. Malmstr6m, a leading conservationist, journalist, and public relations expert. A resolution issued by the Board of the new Fund said: 'The future of mankind on earth is inseparably linked with the future of Nature, and the future of both depends on stopping waste and conserving natural resources, planning and stabilizing human population, preventing pollution, and preserving life's varied forms . . . . Animals and plants have evolved over millions of years; Man is incapable of recreating even one species he has destroyed. It is our duty to prevent irreparable damage, and this duty extends to the area of the third world--to the developing countries, which seldom have the resources to finance this type of activity. The duty of the world's affluent countries, of which Finland is one, is to help in this work, and it can best be done via the World Wildlife Fund.' Founded in 1961, the World Wildlife Fund now has National Appeals functioning in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States of America. By October 1972 the Fund had channelled $9,205,929 to 754 conservation projects all over the world. PETER F. R. JACKSON,
Director of Information, World Wildlife Fund, 1110 Morges, Switzerland
SAVING THE WILD FLOWERS OF ISRAEL
The flora of Israel has about 2,500 species of higher plants, among them a few hundreds of so-called 'flowers'--that is, plants of which the flowers are commonly picked. Of those there are some in real danger of drastic decrease, and some are on the verge of extinction. This is especially true of bulb and other geophytes of the families Iridaceae, Liliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Orchidaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Primulaceae. The founders of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, twenty years ago, were conscious of this fact; but their only means of action were explaining or preaching--more often than not to deaf ears.