Meriem Bouamrane. Biosphere reserves, ecosystem services, biodiversity and human well being. Urdabai Biosphere Reserve (Spain) 11 and 12 July 2013

Transcription

1 Meriem Bouamrane Programme specialist Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences MAB Programme Biosphere reserves, ecosystem services, biodiversity and human well being Urdabai Biosphere Reserve (Spain) 11 and 12 July 2013

2 Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme Intergovernmental scientific programme aiming at laying scientific basis for the improvement of people p - environment relationships. Commitment to sustainable development through Ecosystem/socio ecological research World Network of Biosphere Reserves (621 in 117 countries) Networking Partnerships Training and Capacity building

3 MAB & The World Network of Biosphere Reserves Conserve biological i l and cultural diversity Propose innovative approaches to sustainable development Promote research, monitoring, education and training

4 On going partnerships and research programs Stockholm Resilience Center Program on Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS) : comparative place-based approach to generate policy and sciencerelevant knowledge on social-ecological systems (including BRs) SGA Network

5 Biosphere reserves and ecosystem services Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (Kristianstad Vattenrike, Sao Paulo green belt BRs) MAB ICC 2013 (IPBES); Regional networks IberoMAB (2010), EuroMAB workshops (2011, 2012; 2013) Case studies of biosphere reserves (identification, assessment, inventory, monitoring, communication )

6 Social Returns on Investment (SROI) for Ecosystem Services in Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, MEXICO Biodiversity conservation Reduce the number of cattle Field visits (two visits/year) Regeneration of forest understory Natural regeneration of forests Reduce the extent of cattle grazing Fight Climate Regeneration of forest understory Protected carbon stockss Change Temperature regulation Prevention of Forest Fires Protect Hydrologic Services Water capture Soil conservation Leverage Socio- Economic Benefits Poverty reduction Capacity building of the local population Community participation Improvement in the quality of life

7 Updating of nomination and periodic review forms (2013) Indicators, biodiversity and ecosystem services

8 Some Questions Which h objectives for evaluating/ assessing/inventorying ecosystem services in BRS? Who benefits from different ecosystem services related to various types of landscapes and seascapes?

9 Today, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves comprises 621 sites in 117 countries (2013)

10 The value of Ecosystem Services Regulating services (weather, purification of water and air, erosion of soil, crop pollination, diseases control ) Provisioning services (food, water, wood, fibers, energy ) Supporting services (nutrient dispersal and cycling, maintenance of soils, primary production ) Cultural services (aesthetic, spiritual, ii educational, recreation ) (Fleur Rodriguez Gallois 2009)

11 Example Assessment of coral reef services At world level: more than 30 billion dollars At the level l of the overseas territories i (Ifrecor studies underway) Martinique : 246 million/year. Direct use value of 142 million New Caledonia : 200 à 300 million / year Lagoon designated as UNESCO World Heritage in 2008 Lagoon designated as UNESCO World Heritage in 2008 ( Ifrecor 2011)

12 CONFUSION of «VALUES» : «what is the price of biodiversity?» The «price» of Guernica says nothing about its value The «price of life» says nothing on the value of human life Values are made of what Can not be sold Can not be given At best can be shared : Love, friendship, honor, freedom.

13 Biosphere reserves and Sustainable development Economy: relations between people about things. Economics is a social activity (Leon Walras) Econom my Socia al Ecosystems THERE ARE NO «3 PILLARS» : ECOSYSTEMS ARE THE SUPPORT OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIETY

14 Principles Participative approach Respect diversity of points of view Co-learning Sharing experiences, practices, issues Respect diversity of fknowledge

15 Discussion, i dialogue methodology and tools for diversity of stakeholders; Opportunities Co-construction of indicators to monitor changes; Diversity of information and combined knowledge systems (IPBES); Trends in quality and quantity of q y q y services

16 Ecosystem services benefit from co-management approaches, building on participation of local communities and implementing traditional management knowledge; Help identify conflicts, values and tradeoffs and enable betterinformed decisions.

17 Indigenous knowledge in BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve (Nicaragua) Since 2005 the Nicaraguan government has recognized land titles for 86 Mayangna and Miskito communities providing rights over agricultural and hunting lands. These lands have been their home for centuries and their livelihoods based on agriculture, fishing and hunting shaped local ecological systems. Result: Indigenous territories and the co-management areas cover most of the core zone of BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve. By marking and patrolling their territorial boundaries the communities have successfully halted the advance of the agricultural l frontier that t has converted much of Central America s tropical rainforests into fields and pastures. Together with UNESCO s Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) the Mayangna recorded their knowledge of the natural world to contribute to knowledge transition and demonstrating their knowledge to the scientific community.

18 Objectives and beneficiaries i i in biosphere reserves Basis for dialogue and discussions; transcend conservation development dilemma; common language Strengthening and sharing values such as sense of ownership, cultural l values and social participation; i Respecting different source of knowledge and its access and transmission; Fostering sustainable economic activities (ecotourism, generation of non-wood forest products, organic farming) Educational activities, communication to decision makers;

19 Opportunities and challenges for BR s Biodiversity information and access to knowledge is a key issue for resilience of socio ecological systems, sustainable development, for citizens and policy makers; Networking and information systems can facilitate interactions between knowledge producer s and knowledge users, including decision-makers in order to inform social choices for sustainable development; Capacity building; Negociation and communication tools

20 Building on the Network, collective action and learning Shared knowledge on ecosystems and biodiversity, co-learning g, using the World Network of BR Exchange of stakeholders, resources, experiences, and co-building of knowledge and tools Communication and information Building a community of practice?

21 Muchas gracias See you in Canada EuroMAB October

22 UNESCO Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences MAB Programme 1 rue Miollis Paris, France Tel: m.bouamrane@unesco.org