Framework for Valuing Ecosystem Services in the Himalayas

Framework for Valuing Ecosystem Services in the Himalayas PDF

Author: Golam Rasul

Publisher: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 18

ISBN-13: 9789291151905

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Around half of the world's population depends directly or indirectly on mountain resources for different products and services. Having a means for economic valuation of these services will help increase recognition of their value and provide a way of ensuring fair distribution of the costs and benefits of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. In addition, valuation is necessary for developing payment for ecosystem services schemes, which have significant potential to create new funding opportunities for biodiversity protection and other ecosystem services. This paper outlines a general framework for economic valuation of ecosystem services focusing on mountain specific situations, which could be applied in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.

The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment

The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment PDF

Author: Philippus Wester

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-01-04

Total Pages: 627

ISBN-13: 3319922882

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This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, experts and policymakers, brought together by the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) under the coordination of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This assessment was conducted between 2013 and 2017 as the first of a series of monitoring and assessment reports, under the guidance of the HIMAP Steering Committee: Eklabya Sharma (ICIMOD), Atiq Raman (Bangladesh), Yuba Raj Khatiwada (Nepal), Linxiu Zhang (China), Surendra Pratap Singh (India), Tandong Yao (China) and David Molden (ICIMOD and Chair of the HIMAP SC). This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. This book is a must-read for policy makers, academics and students interested in this important region and an essentially important resource for contributors to global assessments such as the IPCC reports.

Ecosystems and Human Well-being

Ecosystems and Human Well-being PDF

Author: Joseph Alcamo

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13:

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Ecosystems and Human Well-Being is the first product of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a four-year international work program designed to meet the needs of decisionmakers for scientific information on the links between ecosystem change and human well-being. The book offers an overview of the project, describing the conceptual framework that is being used, defining its scope, and providing a baseline of understanding that all participants need to move forward. The Millennium Assessment focuses on how humans have altered ecosystems, and how changes in ecosystem services have affected human well-being, how ecosystem changes may affect people in future decades, and what types of responses can be adopted at local, national, or global scales to improve ecosystem management and thereby contribute to human well-being and poverty alleviation. The program was launched by United National Secretary-General Kofi Annan in June 2001, and the primary assessment reports will be released by Island Press in 2005. Leading scientists from more than 100 nations are conducting the assessment, which can aid countries, regions, or companies by: providing a clear, scientific picture of the current sta

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem Services PDF

Author: Nicolas Dendoncker

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

Published: 2013-10-11

Total Pages: 20

ISBN-13: 0128074167

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This chapter discusses the concept of ecosystem services valuation. It argues that beyond monetary valuation, ES valuation should also take into account ecological and social values. Valuation should be geared toward strong sustainability in order to improve the well-being of every individual and society, now and in the future. Following a systemic approach, bundles of ES should be valued together. When systems are far from critical thresholds, valuing changes through various alternatives is appropriate. Deliberative multicriteria decision tools could be appropriate to collectively value ES. However, when systems are close to thresholds or tipping points, ecosystem service valuation will need to switch from choosing among resources or alternatives to valuing the avoidance of catastrophic ecosystem change. Finally, it is important to remember that valuation is merely a tool and not a solution in itself. When one is valuing for sustainability, the questions of politics, governance, and institutions cannot be ignored.

Impact of Global Changes on Mountains

Impact of Global Changes on Mountains PDF

Author: Velma I. Grover

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-12-19

Total Pages: 527

ISBN-13: 1482208911

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Mountain regions encompass nearly 24 percent of the total land surface of the earth and are home to approximately 12 percent of the world's population. Their ecosystems play a critical role in sustaining human life both in the highlands and the lowlands. During recent years, resource use in high mountain areas has changed mainly in response to the

Mountain Ice and Water

Mountain Ice and Water PDF

Author: John F. Shroder

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2016-11-18

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 0444637885

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Mountain Ice and Water: Investigations of the Hydrologic Cycle in Alpine Environments is a new volume of papers reviewed and edited by John Shroder, Emeritus Professor of Geography and Geology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, USA, and Greg Greenwood, Director of the Mountain Research Initiative from Bern, Switzerland. Chapters in this book were derived from research papers that were delivered at the Perth III Conference on Mountains of our Future Earth in Scotland in October 2015. The conference was established to help develop the knowledge necessary to respond effectively to the risks and opportunities of global environmental change and to support transformations toward global sustainability in the coming decades. To this end, the conference and book have investigated the future situation in mountains from three points of view. (1) Dynamic Planet: Observing, explaining, understanding, and projecting Earth, environmental, and societal system trends, drivers, and processes and their interactions to anticipate global thresholds and risks, (2) Global Sustainable Development: Increasing knowledge for sustainable, secure, and fair stewardship of biodiversity, food, water, health, energy, materials, and other ecosystem services, and (3) Transformations towards Sustainability: Understanding transformation processes and options, assessing how these relate to human values, emerging technologies and social and economic development pathways, and evaluating strategies for governing and managing the global environment across sectors and scales. Derived from research papers delivered at the Perth III Conference on Mountains of our Future Earth in Scotland in October 2015 Helps develop the knowledge necessary for responding effectively in coming decades to the risks and opportunities of global environmental change and tactics for global sustainability Provides the research community working on global change in mountains with a broader framework established by the Future Earth initiative

Managing the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy

Managing the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy PDF

Author: Bindu N. Lohani

Publisher: Brookings Institution Press

Published: 2016-03-08

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 4899740581

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Asia must be at the center of the global fight against climate change. It is the world’s most populous region, with high economic growth, a rising share of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the most vulnerability to climate risks. Its current resource- and emission-intensive growth pattern is not sustainable. This study recognizes low-carbon green growth as an imperative—not an option—for developing Asia. Asia has already started to move toward low-carbon green growth. Many emerging economies have started to use sustainable development to bring competitiveness to their industries and to serve growing green technology markets. The aim of this study is to share the experiences of emerging Asian economies and the lessons learned. The book assesses the low-carbon and green policies and practices taken by Asian countries, identifies gaps, and examines new opportunities for low-carbon green growth.

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