Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Accelerating the transition to
ecosystems-based decision-making
Decision-making informed by consequences for all
attributes of ecosystems, their beneficiaries and
associated economic implications is essential if the
current rapid decline in ecosystem quality and
extent is to be reversed (Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment, 2005). Protection or restoration of
aquatic and other ecosystems secures or rebuilds
the natural capital essential for the security, health
and economic opportunity for people, including
creation of value through the ecosystem services
they provide. The case studies used in this review
provide collectively the evidence to advance the
case for a transition in perception, management
and governance of rivers and other ecosystems
underpinning continued human prosperity. The
credibility of the approach will be improved as
valuation techniques are further tested, refined
and included in policy and project-level decision-
making for river conservation and management.
Defra (2007a) An introductory guide to valuing
ecosystem services. Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs, London. (http://www.defra.
gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/pdf/natural-environ/eco-
valuing.pdf.)
Defra (2007b) Securing a healthy natural environment:
an action plan for embedding an ecosystems approach.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
London.
Defra (2010a) Payments for Ecosystem Services: a short
introduction. Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs, London. (http://www.defra.gov.uk/
environment/policy/natural-environ/documents/
payments-ecosystem.pdf.)
Defra (2010b) Delivering a healthy natural environment.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
London. (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/
policy/natural-environ/change/government.htm.)
Diederichs N, Markewicz T, Mander M, Martens A, Zama
Ngubane S (2002) eThekwini Catchments: A Strategic
Tool for Management. eThekwini Municipality, South
Africa.
EFTEC (2007) Policy Appraisal and the Environment: An
Introduction to the Valuation of Ecosystem Services -
Wareham Managed Realignment Case Study. Report
prepared for the Environment Agency.
Everard M (2009a) Ecosystem services case studies.
Science Report SCHO0409BPVM-E-E. Environment
Agency, Bristol. (http://publications.environment-
agency.gov.uk/pdf/SCHO0409BPVM-E-E.pdf.)
Everard M (2009b) The Business of Biodiversity. WIT
Publishing, Hampshire.
Everard M (2010) Ecosystem services assessment of
sea trout restoration work on the River Glaven,
North Norfolk. Environment Agency Evidence report
SCHO0110BRTZ-E-P, Environment Agency, Bristol.
(http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/
SCHO0110BRTZ-e-e.pdf.)
Everard M, Appleby T (2009) Safeguarding the societal
value of land.
Environmental Law and Management
21
:
16-23.
Everard M, Bramley M, Tatem K, Appleby T, Watts
W
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank an unnamed
referee for many improvements to this manuscript.
Thanks also to Bill Watts (Environment Agency)
whose contribution to the chapter includes
economic expertise but also extensive discussion
leading to new insights.
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