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The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands

BOOKMARK

LINK: http://www.teebweb.org/areas-of-work/biome-studies/teeb-for-water-and-wetlands/

Description

The “nexus” between water, food and energy has been recognized as one of the most fundamental relationships and challenges for society. Wetlands are a fundamental part of local and global water cycles and are at the heart of this nexus, providing numerous ecosystem services to humankind. Nonetheless, wetlands continue to be degraded or lost and, in many cases, policies and decisions do not sufficiently take into account these interconnections and interdependencies. The full value of water and wetlands needs to be recognized and integrated into decision-making in order to meet our future social, economic and environmental needs. Using the maintenance and enhancement of the benefits of water and wetlands is, therefore, a key element in a transition to a sustainable economy. The development of this report was initiated by the Ramsar Secretariat, in partnership with the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Wetlands International, The Convention on Biological Diversity, (CBD), the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the UNEP TEEB Office. The report responds to the following questions by presenting insights from experience from across the globe: - Benefits and risks of loss: what are the roles of wetlands in providing water and wider ecosystem services and what are their values? - Measuring to manage: how can we improve what we are measuring to help improve governance of our natural capital? - Integrating the values of water and wetlands into decision making: what needs to be done to improve the consideration of the values and benefits of water and wetland in policy developments and in practical decision making? - Transforming our approach to water and wetlands: what are the recommendations for transforming the regional, national and international approaches for managing water, wetlands and their ecosystem services?

Additional Information:

Regions: World

Submitted by: WetlandNetwork