Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures or (OECMs) are geographically defined area other than areas under NIPAS which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values.
“Recognition of OECM’s is being looked into as one of the strategies to increase spatial coverage of conservation areas in the Philippines”
Initial List of Potential OECMs
- Critical Watersheds
- Class I and II caves outside NIPAS
- Inland wetlands outside NIPAS
- Local Conservation Areas (LCAs) (including Green spaces for public use)
- Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs)
- Marine Protected Area Networks
- Key Biodiversity Areas
- Important Bird Areas
- Watersheds
- Geothermal/Military Reservations
- Privately-owned lands e.g. reference ecosystem
- Globally/Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (G/NIAHS)
- University-owned areas
- Other internationally-recognized areas outside NIPAS (including ASEAN Heritage Parks, UNESCO World Heritage Site, UNESCO Global Geopark, Biosphere Reserves)