The Importance of the Ecosystem The Importance of the Ecosystem Approach Approach

Robert WatsonRobert Watson

Defra CSA Defra CSA

and and

Strategic Director of the Tyndall Centre, UEAStrategic Director of the Tyndall Centre, UEA

Valuing our Life Support SystemsValuing our Life Support Systems

April 29, 2009April 29, 2009

UK National Ecosystem Assessment A UK-wide national ecosystem assessment addressing all sectors A UK-wide national ecosystem assessment addressing all sectors

has been initiated covering England, Scotland, Wales and N. has been initiated covering England, Scotland, Wales and N. IrelandIreland

Three ElementsThree Elements• Current status and trends and links to human well-beingCurrent status and trends and links to human well-being• Scenarios of potential future changes out till 2050Scenarios of potential future changes out till 2050• Options for action to capture positive outcomes and avoid Options for action to capture positive outcomes and avoid

negative outcomesnegative outcomes

Co-chaired by Steve Albon and myselfCo-chaired by Steve Albon and myself• Expert panel to guide and oversee the assessmentExpert panel to guide and oversee the assessment• WCMC will act as an intelligent secretariat and provide a writing WCMC will act as an intelligent secretariat and provide a writing

team to prepare the draft reportsteam to prepare the draft reports• Customer team , comprising of relevant stakeholders to ensure Customer team , comprising of relevant stakeholders to ensure

scope is appropriatescope is appropriate• Client team of fundersClient team of funders

First element to be completed within one year, whole assessment First element to be completed within one year, whole assessment to be completed within 2 yearsto be completed within 2 years

Ecosystem Services

FrameworkFramework

Direct Drivers

Indirect Drivers

EcosystemServices

Human Well-being

Direct Drivers of Change Changes in land use Species introduction or

removal Technology adaptation and

use External inputs (e.g.,

irrigation) Resource consumption Climate change Natural physical and

biological drivers (e.g., volcanoes)

Indirect Drivers of Change Demographic Economic (globalization,

trade, market and policy framework)

Sociopolitical (governance and institutional framework)

Science and Technology Cultural and Religious

Human Well-being and Poverty Reduction

Basic material for a good life Health Good Social Relations Security Freedom of choice and

action

Consequences of Ecosystem Change for Consequences of Ecosystem Change for Human Well-beingHuman Well-being

Valuation of Ecosystem ServicesValuation of Ecosystem Services Ecosystem services contribute to economic welfare through Ecosystem services contribute to economic welfare through

contributions to the generation of income and wellbeing (e.g., contributions to the generation of income and wellbeing (e.g., provisioning of food and fiber), and through the prevention of provisioning of food and fiber), and through the prevention of damages that inflict costs on society (e.g., coral reefs and mangrove damages that inflict costs on society (e.g., coral reefs and mangrove swamps protect coastal infrastructure)swamps protect coastal infrastructure)

Valuation techniques are important to ensure that the true value of Valuation techniques are important to ensure that the true value of ecosystems and their services provided are taken into account when ecosystems and their services provided are taken into account when estimating the impact of human-induced climate change on estimating the impact of human-induced climate change on ecosystems, and when making decisions on how to mitigate or adapt ecosystems, and when making decisions on how to mitigate or adapt to climate changeto climate change

Methods for eliciting values should use a combination of economic Methods for eliciting values should use a combination of economic

and non-economic valuation methodsand non-economic valuation methods

Total Economic Value framework that takes into account both the use Total Economic Value framework that takes into account both the use and non-use values individuals and society gain or lose from and non-use values individuals and society gain or lose from marginal changes in ecosystem servicesmarginal changes in ecosystem services

Valuation of Ecosystem ServicesValuation of Ecosystem Services

Overview of the impact pathway of a policy or decisionOverview of the impact pathway of a policy or decision

  Decision/Policy Decision/Policy Impact on Ecosystem Impact on Ecosystem Changes in Ecosystem Changes in Ecosystem Services Services Impacts on human welfare Impacts on human welfare Economic Value of Economic Value of Changes in Ecosystem servicesChanges in Ecosystem services

  

Total Economic ValueTotal Economic Value

  

Use ValueUse Value Non-Use ValueNon-Use Value

    Actual/Planned Use Option Value Actual/Planned Use Option Value For others For others ExistenceExistence

Direct and Indirect UseDirect and Indirect Use Altruism and Bequest Altruism and Bequest

  

The Importance of the Ecosystem The Importance of the Ecosystem Approach Approach

Linkages between biodiversityLinkages between biodiversity & climate change & climate change

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1.1. Climate change and biodiversity interactClimate change and biodiversity interact

2.2. Climate change adversely effect biodiversity at the genetic, species Climate change adversely effect biodiversity at the genetic, species and ecosystem leveland ecosystem level

3.3. The biodiversity conservation sector itself needs to adaptThe biodiversity conservation sector itself needs to adapt

4.4. Biodiversity and ecosystems can contribute to adaptation to climate Biodiversity and ecosystems can contribute to adaptation to climate changechange

5.5. Some climate change adaptation strategies can have negative Some climate change adaptation strategies can have negative impacts on biodiversityimpacts on biodiversity

6.6. Ecosystem management can contribute to mitigating climate Ecosystem management can contribute to mitigating climate changechange

7.7. Some climate change mitigation strategies can have negative Some climate change mitigation strategies can have negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystemseffects on biodiversity and ecosystems

8.8. Some mitigation strategies are also adaptation strategiesSome mitigation strategies are also adaptation strategies

Biodiversity is connected to climate changeBiodiversity is connected to climate change

aa

Direct drivers growing in intensityDirect drivers growing in intensity

UK mean temperature changeUK mean temperature change

UK Mean precipitation changeUK Mean precipitation change2080s2080s

SummerSummer

2080s2080sWinterWinter

Climate change is already effecting Climate change is already effecting biodiversitybiodiversity

Changes in climate and carbon dioxide have already had Changes in climate and carbon dioxide have already had observed impacts on species and ecosystems observed impacts on species and ecosystems

Approximately 10% of species assessed are projected to be at an Approximately 10% of species assessed are projected to be at an increasing high risk of extinction for every 1increasing high risk of extinction for every 1ooC rise in global mean C rise in global mean temperaturetemperature

Wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, arctic ecosystems and cloud Wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, arctic ecosystems and cloud forests are projected to be particularly vulnerable both directly forests are projected to be particularly vulnerable both directly (temperature and precipitation) and indirectly (pests and fires) to (temperature and precipitation) and indirectly (pests and fires) to climate change , with the possibility of coral reefs and cloud climate change , with the possibility of coral reefs and cloud forests ceasing to function within a few decadesforests ceasing to function within a few decades

Projected changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services can Projected changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services can have significant economic adverse effects including the loss of have significant economic adverse effects including the loss of natural capitalnatural capital

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Planned adaptation: ecosystems Protected area systemsProtected area systems

Extent and location issues, e.g., moveable PAs, Extent and location issues, e.g., moveable PAs, especially MPAs especially MPAs

Protected area managementProtected area management Fire management and alien invasivesFire management and alien invasives

Functional connectivityFunctional connectivity Management of the wider landscape, not just corridorsManagement of the wider landscape, not just corridors

Planned adaptation: species In situ adaptation measuresIn situ adaptation measures Human-aided translocationHuman-aided translocation Ex situ measures: captive breeding and germplasm Ex situ measures: captive breeding and germplasm

banksbanks1515

Biodiversity based adaptation

Biodiversity-based adaptation (including restoration of Biodiversity-based adaptation (including restoration of degraded ecosystems, e.g., wetlands) improves the degraded ecosystems, e.g., wetlands) improves the capacity of ecosystems to deliver ecosystem services, capacity of ecosystems to deliver ecosystem services, benefiting the poor who are often most directly benefiting the poor who are often most directly dependent on ecosystem goods and servicesdependent on ecosystem goods and services

Biodiversity based adaptation is often more accessible Biodiversity based adaptation is often more accessible and affordable to the poor than structural adaptationand affordable to the poor than structural adaptation

Biodiversity-based adaptation options are available in Biodiversity-based adaptation options are available in nearly all sectors, in particular coastal, water, nearly all sectors, in particular coastal, water, agriculture, forestry, agriculture, forestry,

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Coastal adaptation Resilient coastal ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs, sand Resilient coastal ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs, sand

dunes and salt marsh) can play a significant role in adaptation dunes and salt marsh) can play a significant role in adaptation while continuing to deliver other goods and serviceswhile continuing to deliver other goods and services• Can act as a buffer against extreme eventsCan act as a buffer against extreme events• Integrate with ‘hard defence’ measuresIntegrate with ‘hard defence’ measures

Water adaptationWater adaptation Can contribute to both water stress and flooding:Can contribute to both water stress and flooding:

• Natural freshwater systems can provide water regulation services in Natural freshwater systems can provide water regulation services in face of climate changeface of climate change

• Reducing degradation of watersheds can be importantReducing degradation of watersheds can be important• Maintaining wetlands and floodplains can be important for flood controlMaintaining wetlands and floodplains can be important for flood control• Integration with structural/technological measuresIntegration with structural/technological measures

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Climate change adaptation strategies:Climate change adaptation strategies: negative impacts on biodiversity negative impacts on biodiversity

‘‘Hard’defences to prevent coastal flooding can have Hard’defences to prevent coastal flooding can have negative effects on biodiversity (prevent inland negative effects on biodiversity (prevent inland migration of vegetation, salt marshes, alter patterns migration of vegetation, salt marshes, alter patterns of sedimentation..) and can collapse (e.g., New of sedimentation..) and can collapse (e.g., New OrleansOrleans

Hard structures for river flood defence systems can Hard structures for river flood defence systems can adversely effect biodiversity and can failadversely effect biodiversity and can fail

Some agricultural adaptation strategiesSome agricultural adaptation strategies• Draining wetlands to increase productionDraining wetlands to increase production• Increased use of irrigation and pesticidesIncreased use of irrigation and pesticides1818

Biodiversity and climate change mitigation Biodiversity and climate change mitigation through LULUCFthrough LULUCF

Primary forests are generally more carbon dense, biologically Primary forests are generally more carbon dense, biologically diverse and resilient than other forest ecosystems, therefore diverse and resilient than other forest ecosystems, therefore where there is currently little deforestation and degradation where there is currently little deforestation and degradation occurring, the occurring, the conservationconservation of existing forests is critical of existing forests is critical

In forest landscapes currently subject to clearing and In forest landscapes currently subject to clearing and degradation,  mitigation and biodiversity conservation can be degradation,  mitigation and biodiversity conservation can be best achieved by best achieved by reducing deforestation, and reducing forest reducing deforestation, and reducing forest degradation through the sustainable management of forests and degradation through the sustainable management of forests and through forest restorationthrough forest restoration

In natural forest landscapes that have already been largely In natural forest landscapes that have already been largely cleared and degraded, mitigation and biodiversity conservation cleared and degraded, mitigation and biodiversity conservation can be enhanced by growing new carbon stocks (through can be enhanced by growing new carbon stocks (through reforestation, forest restoration and improved forest reforestation, forest restoration and improved forest managementmanagement) which, through the use of mixed native species, ) which, through the use of mixed native species, can yield multiple benefits for biodiversitycan yield multiple benefits for biodiversity

Biodiversity and climate change mitigation Biodiversity and climate change mitigation through LULUCFthrough LULUCF

Appropriately designed land-management activities (e.g., Appropriately designed land-management activities (e.g., conservation tillage and other means of sustainable cropland conservation tillage and other means of sustainable cropland management, sustainable livestock management, agro-forestry management, sustainable livestock management, agro-forestry systems, maintenance of natural water sources, and restoration systems, maintenance of natural water sources, and restoration of forests, peatlands and other wetlandsof forests, peatlands and other wetlands) can result in the ) can result in the complementary objectives of the maintenance and potential complementary objectives of the maintenance and potential increase of current carbon stocks and the conservation and increase of current carbon stocks and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversitysustainable use of biodiversity

The potential to reduce emissions and increase the sequestration The potential to reduce emissions and increase the sequestration of carbon from LULUCF activities is dependent upon the price of of carbon from LULUCF activities is dependent upon the price of carbon and is estimated to range from 1.3-4.2 GtCOcarbon and is estimated to range from 1.3-4.2 GtCO22-eq per year -eq per year for forestry activities (REDD, sustainable forest management, for forestry activities (REDD, sustainable forest management, restoration and reforestation), and 2.3-6.4 GtCOrestoration and reforestation), and 2.3-6.4 GtCO22-eq per year for -eq per year for agricultural activities for a price of US$ 100/tCOagricultural activities for a price of US$ 100/tCO22-eq by 2030.-eq by 2030.

Biodiversity and climate change mitigation Biodiversity and climate change mitigation through renewable energy technologies and geo-through renewable energy technologies and geo-

engineeringengineering Renewable energy sources, including onshore and offshore wind, Renewable energy sources, including onshore and offshore wind,

solar, tidal, wave, geothermal, biomass and hydropower and solar, tidal, wave, geothermal, biomass and hydropower and nuclearnuclear, , can have a range of potential implications for can have a range of potential implications for biodiversity and ecosystem servicesbiodiversity and ecosystem services

Bioenergy may contribute to energy security, rural development Bioenergy may contribute to energy security, rural development and avoiding climate change,but there are concerns that many and avoiding climate change,but there are concerns that many first generation biofuels (i.e., use of food crops for liquid fuels) first generation biofuels (i.e., use of food crops for liquid fuels) are accelerating deforestation with adverse effects on are accelerating deforestation with adverse effects on biodiversity and may not currently be reducing greenhouse gas biodiversity and may not currently be reducing greenhouse gas emissionsemissions

Artificial fertilization of nutrient limited oceans is increasingly Artificial fertilization of nutrient limited oceans is increasingly thought to be of limited potential and the biodiversity thought to be of limited potential and the biodiversity consequences have been little exploredconsequences have been little explored

Change the economic background to Change the economic background to decision-making to implement ecosystem-decision-making to implement ecosystem-

based activitiesbased activities

• Make sure the value of all ecosystem services, not just those bought Make sure the value of all ecosystem services, not just those bought and sold in the market, are taken into account when making and sold in the market, are taken into account when making decisionsdecisions

• Remove subsidies to agriculture, fisheries, and energyRemove subsidies to agriculture, fisheries, and energy

• Payments to landowners in return for managing their lands in ways Payments to landowners in return for managing their lands in ways that protect and enhance ecosystem servicesthat protect and enhance ecosystem services

• Appropriate pricing policies for natural resources, e.g., waterAppropriate pricing policies for natural resources, e.g., water

• Apply fees, taxes, levees and tariffs to discourage activities that Apply fees, taxes, levees and tariffs to discourage activities that degrade biodiversity and ecosystem servicesdegrade biodiversity and ecosystem services

• Establish market mechanisms to reduce nutrient releases and carbon Establish market mechanisms to reduce nutrient releases and carbon emissions in the most cost-effective wayemissions in the most cost-effective way

Non-financial incentives to implement Non-financial incentives to implement ecosystem-based activitiesecosystem-based activities

Laws and regulationsLaws and regulations

Promote individual and community property or land rightsPromote individual and community property or land rights

Improve access rights and restrictionsImprove access rights and restrictions

New governance structures to improve policy, planning, and New governance structures to improve policy, planning, and managementmanagement• Integrate decision-making between different departments and Integrate decision-making between different departments and

sectors, as well as international institutionssectors, as well as international institutions• Include sound management of ecosystem services in all Include sound management of ecosystem services in all

planning decisions planning decisions

Develop and use environment-friendly technologiesDevelop and use environment-friendly technologies

Influence individual behaviorInfluence individual behavior

ConclusionsConclusions Human-induced climate change can adversely effect biodiversity Human-induced climate change can adversely effect biodiversity

and ecosystem servicesand ecosystem services

Ecosystem based adaptation and mitigation can be a cost-Ecosystem based adaptation and mitigation can be a cost-effective strategy and provide multiple benefits, particularly but effective strategy and provide multiple benefits, particularly but not only for the poornot only for the poor

Some climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies can Some climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies can have negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem serviceshave negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services

Some ecosystem-based strategies contribute to both adaptation Some ecosystem-based strategies contribute to both adaptation and mitigationand mitigation

Ecosystem services contribute to human well-being and have Ecosystem services contribute to human well-being and have significant economic valuesignificant economic value

Financial and non-financial incentives are required to implement Financial and non-financial incentives are required to implement ecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation activitiesecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation activities2424