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World Wildlife Fund
WWF case study: Water for life: Lessons for climate change adaptation from better management of rivers for people and nature (The Ruaha Basin)
Submitted by tianyili on Mon, 2010-04-12 11:02
Summary:
Tanzania’s Great Ruaha River is a major tributary of the Rufiji River, and is nearly 600 km long.Livelihood strategies have diversified from agriculture, brewing and charcoal production into activities requiring less water, notably retailing, manufacturing clothing, and bee-keeping.The conservation of riparian zones and restoration of springs and river flows is of benefit to biodiversity.
Adaptation Experience:
Results and Learning:
The inexpensive, grass roots adaptation measures applied in the Great Ruaha demonstrate how incremental action to restore ecosystem functions and better manage natural resources can increase resilience to water scarcity. It highlights the importance of strengthening the capacities of local people and organisations to improve governance, diversify the local economy and institute adaptive management practices. This case also emphasises the need for governments to support local organisations with appropriate mandates and financial independence to undertake ongoing adaptive management.
Sustainability:
The sustainability of these adaptations, such as enforcement of water rules, depends on ownership and implementation by the local community, which is likely given the strengthened local institutions and livelihood benefits derived thus far. Funding has so far come from WWF and the EU. There are US$951 million in national and donor funds held by the Tanzanian Government for use to 2011 to support this type of water sector development nationally. Thegovernment’s intention to foster this type of river basin management through a new water law, and allocation of central funds and fees from water users to local management institutions, is yet to be realized. Further, the Tanzanian Government has a policy of expanding irrigation, which if implemented poorly in the Great Ruaha River basin, may impact further on river flows.
Replication:
This approach to adaptive catchment management could be scaled up given its modest cost and the national and donor funds available in Tanzania and other countries.
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WWF Case Study: Integrated Resource Development of the Sundarbans Reserved Forest
Submitted by tianyili on Mon, 2010-04-12 08:59
Summary:
The Sundarbans Reserved Forest (SRF) is the largest single forest resource in Bangladesh, covering approximately 6 000 km2 of mangroves and representing 51% of the country's total reserved forest estate.Since the area was gazetted as a reserved forest, concern has been expressed regarding the quantity of timber and other resources it provides.It was clear that action was needed to analyse the ecosystem and to devise ways to reform the management system in order to ensure the sustainable utilization of resources and a more equitable sharing of benefits.
Adaptation Experience:
It was proposed that mangrove ecosystem studies and socio-economic research be undertaken to examine the entire SRF and its terrestrial and aquatic resources. The goal was to determine strategies for optimal exploitation of the forest resources without disturbing the ecological balance. Advice was required on ways to help meet the escalating demand for land, timber, fuelwood, protein, housing materials and raw materials for large industries and the needs of numerous cottage industries located in the densely populated border zone by adopting an integrated systems approach.
Results and Learning:
The main conclusions confirmed that, under existing legislation, the SRF mangrove system must be administered by the FD, but stressed the need to improve revenue systems, to keep accurate records of accounts, to introduce more equitable harvesting systems and to consider socio-economic factors. Integrated management must be introduced to take account of all terrestrial and aquatic resources by sharing research, monitoring and management functions with the other agencies concerned.
Sustainability:
The project's findings produced a better understanding of the SRF resource base and the real socio-economic needs of multiple interests. Further work needs to be carried out in the follow-up and implementation phase, but direction could be lost and many achievements dissipated if finance and institutional arrangements to maintain continuity are not forthcoming. Since the value of the mangrove ecosystem is of global significance, the findings of the project should be made widely available to the public.
Replication:
n/a
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WWF case study: The Coral Triangle and Climate Change: Ecosystems People and Societies at Risk
Submitted by tianyili on Sun, 2010-04-11 20:17Summary:
Stretching across six countries in Southeast Asia and Melanesia (Indonesia, the Philippines,
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste), the Coral Triangle contains the
richest marine ecosystems on earth.
Coastal ecosystems in the Coral Triangle are already being impacted by warming, acidifying and
rising seas. Coral reefs have experienced severe mass bleaching events across the region, which, if they increase in intensity and frequency, threaten to seriously degrade these important ecosystems. Mangroves face similar problems with rising sea levels threatening their future. With the build up of coastal infrastructure, there is no place for mangroves to retreat. The downstream effects on human beings of losing these critical coastal ecosystems are enormous.
There are a number of actions, which, if implemented by regional and world leaders, will avoid this crisis.
Adaptation Experience:
Results and Learning:
Analysis of the potential impacts of climate change on the Coral Triangle leads to a number of policy actions for international leaders to consider. First and foremost we must prioritise significant CO2 emission reduction in order to reduce the severity of the effects we can otherwise expect - leading us toward the best case rather than worst case scenario. This is essential as even the best case scenario is rife with challenges to communities and natural resources in the region, with very signifi cant losses to be expected. Second, climate change adaptation strategies must be applied as rapidly as possible, since delays in applying these strategies will result in insurmountable change, missed opportunities, reduced options and a more daunting task with less chance of success.
Sustainability:
n/a
Replication:
n/a
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WWF case study: The Economic Contribution of Belize’s Coral Reefs and mangroves (Coastal Capital: Belize)
Submitted by tianyili on Sun, 2010-04-11 12:53
Summary:
Coastal and marine ecosystems provide vitally important goods and services to Belize.
Coral reefs and mangroves are an extremely important part of Belize’s ecological and economic wealth. The value of three economically vital services provided by these ecosystems amounts to US$395 – 559 million per year. This is an especially large sum relative to Belize’s GDP of US$1.3 billion. Many of Belize’s reefs and mangroves are already under threat from unsustainable development, overfishing, and natural threats such as storms. Climate change threatens to worsen these effects. It is critical for Belize’s government and citizens to work now to protect their coastal resources, or risk losing these benefits in the not-so-distant future.
Adaptation Experience:
Results and Learning:
The protection they furnish from erosion and wave damage from coastal storms, valued at US$231 – 347 million in avoided damages per year, is especially notable, and highlights the importance of protecting coral reefs and mangroves for their less visible services as well as for the more obvious benefits of fisheries and marine tourism.
Sustainability:
As these resources become increasingly threatened, it is critical to recognize the value they provide, and to incorporate them into decision-making.It is in the long-term economic interest of Belize to: 1. Invest in scientific assessment, monitoring, and compliance; 2. Plan and implement development sensibly; 3. Increase support for Belize’s MPA system.
Replication:
n/a
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WWF Case Study: Water for life: Lessons for climate change adaptation from better management of rivers for people and nature (Danube)
Submitted by tianyili on Thu, 2010-04-08 14:18Summary:
WWF commenced work in the Danube in 1992 and promoted the establishment of the Convention for the Protection of the Danube River in 1994 and European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive in 2000. In 2000 WWF secured agreement from the heads of state of Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine to restore 2,236 km2 of floodplain to form a 9,000 km2 “Lower Danube Green Corridor.” This Corridor is intended to attenuate floods, restore biodiversity, improve water quality, and enhance local livelihoods. Pilot projects to demonstrate floodplain restoration assessed in this case study are the 1993-1996 removal of the 36.8 km2 Babina and Cernovca polders in Romania, and in Ukraine in 2005-2008 the relinking of the 68 km2 Katlabuh Lake to the river and removal of the 7.5 km2 Tataru polder.
The large-scale adaptation in the Danube shows
the value of restoring the natural resilience of the environment to climate events by decommissioning under-performing water infrastructure, in this case by more safely retaining and releasing peak floods. It also highlights how replacing vulnerable monocultures
with more diverse livelihoods based on natural
ecosystems (in this case tourism, fishing, grazing and fibre production) can strengthen local economies. International agreements for better water and river management have been a powerful driver of change in the Danube.
Adaptation Experience:
Results and Learning:
Government implementation of restoration of the lower Danube floodplain has been slow: it has taken too long to appoint officials and agencies to lead the work; to develop national implementation plans; and allocate funds. Most of the funding for floodplain restoration has come from the EU, NGOs and other donor organizations. In some instances local people have not consented to restoration, and changes in land laws have hindered progress.
Making use of post-disaster policy windows is a key lesson. The policy of floodplain restoration is viewed much more favourably following the 2005 and 2006 floods, for instance, Romania is currently completing a national floodplain restoration strategy. Persistent work over more than ten years has been required to achieve the outcomes to date. Linking and drawing strength from simultaneous work at the pilot site, national, basin and European scales has been critical to achieving reforms.
Sustainability:
Reversion is unlikely because: the cost of re-building flood “protection” dykes is very high; in most cases the restored floodplains are designated as protected areas; local peoples’ livelihoods have improved; and the threat from flooding remains. Management costs of the restored floodplains are low.
Replication:
n/a
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WWF case study: Water for life: Lessons for climate change adaptation from better management of rivers for people and nature (Central Yangtze)
Submitted by tianyili on Thu, 2010-04-08 13:31
Summary:
In 2002 WWF commenced a program to reconnect lakes in Hubei Province to the Yangtze River through opening the sluice gates, and facilitate sustainable lake management. The program focused on three lakes: Zhangdu (40 km2), Hong (348 km2) and Tian’e Zhou (20 km2). Alternative and more sustainable livelihoods for local residents was a priority, in an area where the average income is just US$1.34 per day. In conjunction with this work, WWF formed partnerships with government agencies and others to explore options for more sustainable river basin management.
From 2004-2005 in Hubei Province the sluice gatesat lakes Zhengdu, Hong and Tien’e zhou have been seasonally re-opened and illegal and uneconomic aquaculture facilities and other infrastructure removed or modified. The success of these adaptations was replicated by the Anhui Government at Baidang Lake (40 km2) from 2006. Now these 448 km2 wetlands can store up to 285 Mm3 of floodwaters, reducing vulnerability to flooding in the central Yangtze region, although this has not yet been tested in practice.Cessation of unsustainable aquaculture, better agricultural practices, and reconnection to the Yangtze River has reduced pollution levels in these lakes. Pollution fell at Lake Hong from national pollution level IV (fit for agricultural use only) to II (drinkable) on China’s five point scale. Subsequently, the Anhui Government has reconnected a further eight lakes at Anqing covering 350 km2.
Adaptation Experience:
Of immediate benefit was the increase in wild fisheries species diversity and populations. The habitat restoration has increased wildlife diversity and populations.
Results and Learning:
Altering flood control measures is controversial in any society, and in this case it took the greater threat of floods plus the prospect of enhanced livelihood to gain support to reconnect the floodplain lakes.Demonstrating that adaptations can work “in the field” was vital to learn by doing and to secure external support for wider application at provincial and national scales. Adaptation to the needs of governments and other stakeholders was essential for gaining support and ownership.
This case shows the value of restoring the natural resilience of the environment to climate events, in this case by restoring connectivity between the river and lakes by improving operations of under-performing water infrastructure. Assisting the local community to adapt their aquaculture and agriculture to more sustainable practices has enhanced their livelihoods and the environment. Working in partnership with government agencies has ensured that these changed practices are now mainstreamed in daily operations, and has seen these measures adopted at other lakes.
Sustainability:
Government agencies have adopted the new lake management regimes into their standard operating procedures and allocating funding for ongoing implementation. Nationally, there is the capacity to fund more lake reconnection should the central government support expansion of the program.
Replication:
There are many hundreds of sluice gates along the Yangtze River that cut off lakes, so there is considerable potential to scale up this approach. Further, this floodplain restoration strategy offers an alternative to the maladaptation of cutting more wetlands off from the river, as is proposed at Poyang Lake.
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WWF Case Study: Climate Change in Southern Caucaus: Impacts on nature, people and society
Submitted by tianyili on Tue, 2010-04-06 12:50Summary:
Climate change has already started to have a significant impact on nature and people in the Southern Caucasus region – effects that will become even more severe in the future. This will create an extra burden on the development of societies in all the three countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, which still struggle to embark on a more sustainable path, including eradicating widespread poverty. Climate change also poses an additional risk for the political stability of the region.
Adaptation Experience:
Results and Learning:
The three Southern Caucasus countries show a rather different energy profile, with Azerbaijan consuming mainly its oil and gas resources, Georgia relying on hydropower production, and Armenia with a more diversified supply system of hydro and nuclear power. All three countries have embarked on the development of renewable energy resources supported by many international agencies, but only a few projects have actually started. Of the three countries, Armenia plans the largest investments in geo-thermal and wind power generation and also to reduce overall GHG emissions.
A study was undertaken to summarise current and future impacts of climate change in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Southern Caucasus region and to provide a perspective of climate change in relation to sustainable development – especially the MDGs, biodiversity, energy production, and political security together with the national and international response in relation to each issue.a study was undertaken to summarise current and future impacts of climate change in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Southern Caucasus region and to provide a perspective of climate change in relation to sustainable development – especially the MDGs, biodiversity, energy production, and political security together with the national and international response in relation to each issue.
Sustainability:
Through impacts such as droughts, water scarcity and soil degradation, climate change could exacerbate already existing conflicts leading to greater instability. The Southern Caucasus shares this feature with many other security “hot spots” of the world. Based on strategic recommendations provided by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), the Southern Caucasus countries need to pay particular attention to adapting water resource management and agriculture/food production to climate change, strengthening disaster prevention, and conserving the terrestrial carbon stocks (particularly forests). To incorporate climate adaptation in the future management of the Kura-Aras/Araks river basin should be seen as particularly important for the future stability and well-being of the region.
Replication:
n/a
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