Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
5. Local schemes designed in the
context of catchment functioning
can contribute to sustainability
The fisheries benefits of the Bristol Avon riparian
buffer zone scheme yielded an estimated 3:1
lifetime benefit-to-cost ratio for local angling
interests, but total benefits gave an estimated
benefit-to-cost ratio of 31:1, with 91% of the
benefits accruing to wider sectors of society. The
River Glaven sea trout restoration project returned
an estimated 99% benefit to non-angling interests,
largely because the sea trout represented an 'iconic
species' (
sensu
Everard and Kataria, 2011a, b)
inspiring other local interest groups to support the
restoration of river conditions that would enable
the return of a charismatic native fish species.
The Alkborough Flats scheme demonstrated
that the common assumption that 'trade-offs'
are inevitable is not applicable when optimizing
particular ecosystem services. The coastal managed
realignment work not only enhanced the 'target'
services of wildlife, flood protection and navigation
but also protected 'provisioning' ecosystem services
through the value derived from grazing by rare
livestock
likely outcome of those management options that
improve or restore ecosystem functioning.
3. Stakeholder participation enhances
evaluation and decision-making
processes
All ecosystem services reflect different
stakeholders, who either benefit or suffer from
policy decisions and management actions. An
ecosystems approach enables key stakeholders to
be identified, avoiding the historical bias towards
influential people and thus potentially leading to
more equitable and sustainable outcomes. This
is exemplified by the planning process for the
proposed Pancheshwar Dam which, in line with
many large dam schemes, excluded the interests
of many affected by its construction (World
Commission on Dams, 2000). This bias towards
the interests of privileged sectors of society has also
been a feature of much of the industrial history of
the UK (Everard and Appleby, 2009). Involvement
of a variety of stakeholders also leads to more local
support and ultimately to better decisions (Everard
et al
., 2009b; Aberg and Tapsell, this volume).
Glaves
et al
. (2009) concluded that an ecosystem
services approach promoted greater participation in
decision-making, enabling individuals to consider
issues and values which may have previously
been overlooked. It also resulted in exploration of
cross-sectoral issues and a more inclusive approach
to solutions, exemplified by the Wareham case
study.
breeds
offsetting
the
value
lost
from
former arable production.
The case studies thereby support an
assertion by Everard and Powell (2002) that a
coordinated combination of localized management
interventions can, if scaled-up, collectively restore
catchment-scale functioning and its associated
range of beneficial services. This principle
is seen in both sustainable drainage systems
(SuDS) compared with traditional single-discipline
drainage solutions (Woods-Ballard
et al
., 2007)
in urban sub-catchments, as well as the multiple
benefits
4. Ecosystem services help
communicate key issues and
engage people
Ecosystem services can also provide the basis of
an intuitive language that makes communication
of environmental management schemes more
understandable. Framed in simple language ('fresh
water', 'recreation and tourism', 'soil formation',
etc.), ecosystem services address ways in which
non-technical people can relate to how the natural
world works. This enables non-specialists to take
part
derived
from
river
conservation
and
management at a wider catchment scale.
6. Markets have a key role to play
in realizing the benefits of
ecosystem services
Markets are the means by which 'buyers' purchase
goods and services from 'providers'. These could be
clothing, other commodities or ecosystem services
including food, fresh water and wool fibre, albeit
that market prices today often externalize many
in
decision-making
and
promotes
mutual
understanding
and
dialogue
between
different
interest groups (Newson, this volume).
