Bridging Scales and Epistemologies in the Millennium Ecosystem

Bridging Scales and Epistemologies in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Alexandria, Egypt March 17 -20, 2004 Walter V. Reid Director Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment n Seeks to dramatically increase the information available for resources managers and policymakers to better manage the environment. n Established in response to: o The growing challenge of balancing multiple demands on the environment, e. g. n n n o Food Water Biodiversity Recreation Urban development The vast scale of the changes now being made in global ecosystems n Land cover, nitrogen flows, climate change etc. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Science Assessment: n A social process to bring the findings of science to bear on the needs of decision-makers Stakeholders: § Governments § Private Sector § Civil Society Assessment Monitoring Research Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Science Assessment § Authoritative § Policy relevant, not policy prescriptive § Stakeholders feel ownership in process and findings § Reflect ‘consensus’ of science (while identifying areas of scientific disagreement) Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Who established the assessment? n UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in his 2000 Report to the UN General assembly n Parties to four conventions took decisions establishing the MA as one source of assessment input. o o n Convention on Biological Diversity Convention to Combat Desertification Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar) Convention on Migratory Species UN Secretary General launched the MA in June 2001 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Who governs the assessment? Board represents “Users” of the MA findings n Conventions o n UN Agencies o n GEF, UN Foundation International science organizations o n UNEP, UNDP, FAO, WHO, UNESCO Donors o n CBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, Ramsar, CMS CGIAR, ICSU, IUCN At large representation o Private sector o NGOs o Scientists o indigenous people Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Ecosystem Services The benefits people obtain from ecosystems Provisioning Regulating Cultural Goods produced or provided by ecosystems Benefits obtained from regulation of ecosystem processes Non-material benefits from ecosystems • food • fresh water • fuel wood • genetic resources • climate regulation • disease regulation • flood regulation • spiritual • recreational • aesthetic • inspirational • educational Supporting Services necessary for production of other ecosystem services • Soil formation • Nutrient cycling • Primary production Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Consequences of Ecosystem Change for Human Well-being Ecosystem Services Constituents of Well-being Security Provisioning Services Supporting Services Regulating Services Basic Material for Good Life Freedoms and Choice Health Cultural Services Good Social Relations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA Framework Human Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction Ecosystem Services Life on Earth: Biodiversity Indirect Drivers Of Change Direct Drivers Of Change Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA Framework Human Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction § Material minimum for a good life § Health § Good Social Relations Human Wellbeing § Security and § Freedom and. Poverty Choice Reduction Ecosystem Services Life on Earth: Biodiversity Indirect Drivers of Change § Demographic § Economic (globalization, trade, market and policy framework) § Sociopolitical (governance and institutional framework) § Science Technology Indirect and Drivers § Cultural and Religious Of Change Direct Drivers of Change § § Changes in land use or land cover Direct introductions Drivers Species or removals Technology adaptation and use Of Change External inputs (e. g. , irrigation, fertilizer use, pest control) § Harvest and Resource Consumption § Climate Change § Natural physical and biological drivers (e. g. , volcanoes, evolution) Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Framework Examines Multiple Drivers as they Influence Ecosystems and Human Well-being Driver Response Human Impact Climate Change Climate. Land Cover. Biodiversity. Nutrient Etc. Change Loss Loading Energy Food Biodiversity Water Sector Supply Health Economics IPCC Social Ecosystems Health Economics Social Millennium Assessment Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Framework allows examination of trade-offs among services Water availability Food supply and demand Freshwater supply and demand La nd sfo in t alb ran ed spir at o ion & Source: Ayensu et al. 1999. Science 286: 685 -686. fra Loss gm a of ent nd ha ati bit on at ge ge tic an itat l oss ce dr ch esi an lie ge nce to an ch loss Ch itat bit at e gen Ha on Re e Pr ati Forest product supply and demand Hab crop s of Los sity r dive it cip p em t & e tur a r e rm du ion at Climate change tra n Erosion and water flow Hab Hy tem drolo per gic atu CO re cha 2 and nge s N, CH 4, N 20 e mis sio ns Water use and nutrient loss Biodiversity loss Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Timeline Launch and design Core assessment work Review process Board approval 2001 UN Launch 2002 2003 Release of Conceptual Framework report 2004 2005 Release of Assessment Reports Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA Products MA Conceptual Framework 2003 2005 Assessment Reports Summary for Decisionmakers Synthesis Reports Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA Structure Committees: Executive Budget Communications MA Board Review Board Chairs Assessment Panel Working Group Chairs Support Functions Director, Administration, Logistics, Data Management Sub-Global Assessment Working Group Outreach & Engagement Condition Scenarios Response Chapter Review Editors Global Assessment Working Groups Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA Working Groups Condition Working Group n n What is the current condition and historical trends of ecosystems and their services? What have been the consequences of changes in ecosystems for human well -being? Scenario Working Group n Given plausible changes in primary drivers, what will be the consequences for ecosystems, their services, and human well-being? Responses Working Group n What can we do to enhance well-being and conserve ecosystems? Sub-Global Assessment Working Group All of the above… at sub-global scales Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA includes global, regional, national, and local assessments Northern Wisconsin Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Regional and National Assessments Global Assessment Users Regional Development Banks, etc. National Government Local Community Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA is a Multi-scale Assessment e. g. , Southern Africa Millennium Assessment SADC region 3 drainage basins Local assessments Zambezi Gariep Source: Reyers, B. , SAf. MA Lessons Learned (Panama, June 2002) Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Sub-global Assessments also provide a means of incorporating indigenous and traditional knowledge Cabecar view of ecosystems § Earth is a circle surrounded by sea. There is a balance between upper and lower worlds § Habitat as a conic house § Special areas and places protected by guardians that regulate access and use of resources § Each living entity is a seed that deserves respect. Human beings are maize seeds Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA seeks to incorporate indigenous knowledge Human Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction Ecosystem Services Life on Earth: Biodiversity Cabecar view of ecosystems Indirect Drivers Of Change Direct Drivers Of Change MA view of ecosystems Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

MA Sponsors Financial contributions (~ $17 million) Sponsors • Global Environment Facility • United Nations Foundation • Packard Foundation • World Bank • United Nations Environment Program Other Donors • Government of Norway • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia • Rockefeller Foundation • NASA • ICSU • Swedish International Biodiversity Programme • Christensen Fund In-kind contributions (~ $6 million) • Norway • China • India • Japan • Germany • Netherlands • United States (NASA, USGS, ORNL, USDA) • European Commission • FAO, UNDP, WHO, UNESCO, UNEP • ICRAF, ICLARM • Numerous other countries, NGOs, Universities and other institutions are supporting travel costs of experts Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Visit the New MA Website www. millenniumassessment. org Millennium Ecosystem Assessment