Ecosystem services mapping as a framework for integrated natural resource management
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This document discusses integrated natural resource management in South Africa. It notes that while South Africa has comprehensive environmental laws and increasing budgets for management, assessments show many ecosystems are threatened. This is due to a lack of holistic planning, failure to consider resource value, poor coordination, and inadequate local capacity. The document proposes using an ecosystem services approach to integrate natural systems, social needs, and economic factors. It presents a case study applying this framework in UThukela District through tools like social simulation, scenario analysis, and economic incentives to match interventions with drivers of environmental change. Key to success are effective stakeholder consultation, institutional coordination, and an appropriate governance structure.
Ecosystem services mapping as a framework for integrated natural resource management
- 1. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI Ecosystem services mapping as a framework for integrated natural resource management Dr. Chris Dickens 15th June 2015
- 2. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI South African Key legislation governing natural resources Compendium of Environmental Law (2006): 67 Acts and 500 pages in 2006!
- 3. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI The Status Quo – An Unsustainable Future? The 2006 South Africa Environmental Outlook (SAEO) document acknowledged that the “comprehensive and generally sound environmental regulatory regime is in place” and that “there has been a steady increase in the budget allocation for environmental management at both the national and provincial levels”. Yet…..: National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (NSBA): Terrestrial systems, 34% of all 440 ecosystems are threatened Rivers - 82% of the main river signatures classified as threatened, 44% are critically endangered.
- 4. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI The Status Quo – An Unsustainable Future? Failure is due to: • No holistic approach • No acknowledgement of the value of natural resources in development planning • Poor coordination • Increased delegation of responsibility to the local level, without the necessary capacity and support
- 5. Meso-scale management Social simulation and complex systems Ecosystem services approach Matching interventions with economic incentives Scenario analysis 1 4 5 2 3 The Afromaison Approach
- 8. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI Understanding the value of natural systems Ecosystem services emerge as useful mechanism for integration of natural systems, people and economy Environmental Quality Social Well Being Economic Prosperity Governance Figure 11: Sustainability model in South Africa
- 9. Water regulating services: Supply /9
- 10. Water regulating services: Demand /10
- 11. Water regulating services: Prioritisation /11
- 12. Optimise resources: Remedial intervention /12 Low supply High demand
- 13. Optimise resources: Preservation /13 High supply High demand
- 15. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI Economic instruments • multiple groups of instruments. • Price based instruments (7) • Rights based instruments (2) • Legal, voluntary and information based instruments (5) DRIVERS IMPACT MANAGEMENT ACTION ECONOMIC /Other INSTRUMENT
- 16. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI Indicators of INRM • Linked to key issues related to the drivers and symptoms of change in NR • e.g. grass cover, soil runoff etc • also Governance indicators – e.g. participation in governance INRM SUCCESS INDICATORS System Criteria Indicator Target Measure Data Source & Method Natural Systems Water Resource Quality Capacity of large storage impoundm ents. Decrease in the rate of reduction in dam capacity Rate of decline in dam capacity measured as % of total capacity/per year. Change measured at frequency of 5 years (annual too small a period to note changes). Hydrographic survey undertaken by DWA Directorate: Spatial and Land Information Management (Reference: http://www.dwaf.gov.za/bi/service s.htm) Turbidity levels Decrease in annual average turbidity levels. Change in average annual turbidity levels (NTU). Change measured at 5 yearly interval (annual too short a period to account for natural variation) Measurement at inflow points to large dams using a clarity tube and measured in cm. Undertaken by DWA officials as part of daily management (this may be too onerous). Alternatively, a local resident living at the inflow is employed to take record.
- 19. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI Effective Institutional Coordination Socio-political factors • Competing political parties, traditional leaders
- 20. Photo:DavidBrazier/IWMIPhoto:TomvanCakenberghe/IWMI Appropriate Institutional Structure - proposed Figure 1 Proposed institutional structure for INRM at the District scale