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Wildlife Comeback and Natural Recolonization Feasibility Study

Application deadline
January 20th midnight CET

Budget
maximum budget is $8,640

Timeline
We are looking to start in January 2025 with a one-year timeline to complete by January 2026.

Submit applications to
[email protected]

These Terms of Reference (TOR) outline the scope and objectives for a wildlife comeback study for the Iori Plateau in Georgia, under a contract to be signed between the consultant and the Georgian BirdLife Partner SABUKO. The study should assess the historical presence of large and mid-sized mammals (going back 2000 years) and evaluate their potential for natural recolonization from nearby source populations or reintroduction, including the factors that led to their extinction from the landscape, assessment of the current ability of the landscape to sustain a viable population and potential measures to improve this, ecological and socio-economic impacts of their return and presence of source populations and their connectivity to the landscape. For each species, a recommendation should be made whether its return to the landscape is desirable and, if so, how this could best be achieved. This work is undertaken within the broader context of the “A Fragile Balance between a Living Landscape or a Future Desert” project, which seeks to restore degraded grasslands and reconnect wildlife corridors in the Kakheti region.

Project Background

The Georgian steppes are primarily located in Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions, to the south of the line Tbilisi-Dedoplistskaro-Sabatlo. They are crossed by the Mtkvari, Iori and Alazani rivers, which are lined by gallery forest. In addition, forest fragments dominated by juniper and pistachio trees are present in the more hilly parts of this landscape, such as in the Vashloni NP. About a century ago, the landscape was still home to at least three big cats (tiger, cheetah and leopard), preying on herbivores like gazelles and deer. While much of this wildlife has been lost, protected areas in the project landscape still host wolf, brown bear and lynx, alongside a small, reintroduced population of goitered gazelle. However, the area faces significant environmental challenges. Unsustainable grazing practices, illegal hunting, poor land management, the conversion of natural areas into farmland, and inadequate water management have degraded the steppe ecosystem. Despite its ecological importance, much of the natural steppe lacks legal protection.

To address these issues, the project focuses on several key areas:  rehabilitating damaged habitats, restoring floodplain forests and surrounding grasslands, promoting sustainable livestock grazing, improving water management practices, engaging with local communities, and prioritizing species conservation.

Key activities include:

  • Sustainable grazing of 25,000 hectares of steppe, enhancing biodiversity and soil carbon stocks.
  • Developing and implementing legislation and policies to improve habitats and species populations.
  • Addressing factors contributing to the local extinction of the species to facilitate its return.
  • Restoring the Iori floodplain forest, enhancing its biodiversity and ecological processes.
  • Supporting sustainable rangeland management through knowledge transfer and financial sustainability.

Study Objectives

  1. Compile a list of large and mid-sized mammals historically present in the landscape (going back 2000 years), with the time of and factors behind their extinction from the landscape
  2. For each species:
    1. Assess the current ability of the landscape to sustain a viable population and potential measures to improve habitat suitability and reduce potential threats.
    1. Evaluate ecological and socio-economic impacts of the species’ return and propose measures to mitigate potential adverse impacts.
    1. Map the presence of source populations and – where relevant – their connectivity to the landscape, thereby evaluating the likelihood of natural recolonization/the possibility of sourcing individuals for reintroduction.
    1. For each species, formulate a well-argued recommendation about the feasibility and desirability of its return to the landscape.

Study Methodology

  1. Literature Review: Gather information on historical distribution, ecology, and conservation status of potential species for reintroduction. Review existing studies on the project area and researching the factors leading to extinction or population decline.
  2. Habitat Assessment: Utilize existing data and conduct field surveys to assess habitat quality, distribution, and connectivity. Employ GIS and remote sensing techniques.
  3. Conduct a preliminary exploration of the donor (source) population to ensure it is viable, while focusing primarily on the target landscape (Kakheti steppe). Limit the evaluation to key aspects without extensive assessments, as the focus should remain on the target area rather than potential source populations. Identify and address potential barriers to restoration, including challenges related to law enforcement, social, economic, and policy factors.

Deliverables

  • Report summarizing findings, including identified species, habitat suitability, feasibility analysis, and impact assessments.
  • Detailed species profiles.
  • Habitat suitability maps and analysis.

Timeline, budget and selection

We are looking to start in January 2025 with a one-year timeline to complete by January 2026. The consultant will develop a detailed project timeline outlining project phases, key milestones, and expected durations. The consultant should also submit a budget, listing personnel costs, equipment, data collection, analysis, report preparation, and other relevant expenses. The maximum budget is $8,640. Bids will be evaluated on a 70% technical proposal and 30% financial offer basis.

Apply now