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Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

How can ecosystem services be applied? Wetland examples. Rob McInnes Director Bioscan (UK) Ltd. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009. Introduction.

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Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

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  1. How can ecosystem services be applied? Wetland examples Rob McInnes Director Bioscan (UK) Ltd Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  2. Introduction Humankind benefits from a multitude of resources and processes that are supplied by natural ecosystems. Collectively, these benefits are known as ecosystem services. Wetlands provide a disproportionate amount of these benefits. A key component of the Ecosystem Approach (EA). Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  3. Introduction Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  4. Introduction How can ecosystem services be applied? Wetland case studies: • Otmoor, Oxfordshire • Anne Valley, Waterford • England Wetland Vision Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  5. England Case Study 1 Otmoor ‘This boggy common . .’ Alexander Croke, 1787 Part of Defra’s Natural Environment Policy research programme. See: Project NR0112 http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/natural-environ/research.htm Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  6. Case Study 1 Otmoor – Background facts • Covers over 1100 ha. • Nationally important site. • Supports four different land designations. • Considered one of the most important lowland wet grassland areas in south/central England for breeding waders. • One of only three sites in the UK which supports fen violet Viola persicifolia. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  7. 0 1 km N River Ray Case Study 1 Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  8. Case Study 1 Otmoor – Study area land designations • ESA 357 ha • RSPB Reserve 210 ha • Otmoor SSSI 160 ha • Non-ESA 100 ha • Total 824 ha Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  9. Case Study 1 Ecosystem services Regulating: Pollution control and detoxification: specificallythe removal of phosphorus and nitrogen. Regulating: Natural Hazards: specificallyreducing the likelihood of extreme flood events. Provisioning: Food: specificallyconversion of light, energy and nutrients into agricultural biomass. Cultural: Recreational: specificallyprovision of recreational opportunity. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  10. Case Study 1 Framework for assessment Ecosystem context Societal context Biophysical structure (e.g. open water habitat) Benefit (value) (e.g. reduces cost of water purification and waste treatment) Function (e.g. removal of nutrients ) Service (e.g. water purification and waste treatment) Processes (e.g. denitrification) The framework for assessment was considered more important than the absolute valuation outcomes Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  11. Ecosystem Services: Regulating Removal and retention of nutrients: Nitrogen processes Water purification and waste treatment: Functions Climate regulation Removal and retention of herbicides Plant uptake of N Water regulation Removal retention of heavy metals Loss of N through denitrification Water purification and waste treatment Removal and retention of nutrients Storage of N in organic matter Erosion regulation Removal and retention of hydrocarbons Retention of N in particulate matter Natural hazard regulation Removal and retention of other pollutants Volatilisation of ammonia Case Study 1 Framework for assessment Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  12. Case Study 1 Economic value of ecosystem services (median annual value (£) per hectare) Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  13. Case Study 1 Modelled hydrology Climate models for the UK indicate increased winter rainfall and warmer mean annual temperature. Estimated that under a climate change scenario for a 1 in 2 year event: • Depth of flooding increases (0.5m to 1.0m) • Duration of flooding increases (0.46 to 1.81 months) Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  14. Case Study 1 Economic value of ecosystem services (median annual value (£) per hectare) – Climate change scenario Reduction in value Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  15. Case Study 1 Issues arising from Otmoor study • Methodological issues (1) – no standard method to identify and quantify ecosystem services. • Methodological issues (2) – no standard method for economic evaluation. • Data limitations, including sensitivity analysis and data sources. • Limited variation across land designations. • The wider economic importance of agricultural land management. • Impact on food production – Implications beyond Otmoor. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  16. Case Study 2 Anne Valley, County Waterford - ‘Integrated Constructed Wetlands’ I r e l a n d Waterford A huge debt of gratitude goes to Dr Rory Harrington • Background facts • Small catchment c. 25 km2; • Main stream channel c. 7km long; • Land use is agricultural, primarily permanent pasture and some arable; • Major issues with eutrophication and loss of biodiversity. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  17. Case Study 2 Anne Valley, County Waterford - ‘Integrated Constructed Wetlands’ • The ‘Integrated Constructed Wetland’ (ICW) concept intends to join up land, water and nature management by explicitly integrating several complementary objectives (or ecosystem services): • Water quality management; • Flood-hazard management; • Landscape-fit towards improving aesthetic site values; and • Enhanced biodiversity. • (Carbon sequestration) Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  18. Case Study 2 • 16 wetlands (ICWs) created along the length of the valley • Dealing with a range of agricultural pollutants Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  19. Case Study 2 • Typical arrangement; • Routinely remove >95% of ammonia and nitrate; • Routinely remove >80% phosphorus; • Routinely remove >90% suspended sediments; • Attenuate peak run-off events. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  20. Case Study 2 • Typical view (1) Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  21. Case Study 2 • Typical view (2) “It looked like this in my youth.” Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  22. Case Study 2 Issues arising from Anne Valley study (positives) • The valley now supports 25% of Irish aquatic Coleoptera species; 30% of Irish Odonata species; and 25% of Irish aquatic Hemiptera species; • Breeding salmonids have returned to the stream; • Network of footpaths and social activities; • Cost savings to farmers (capital and maintenance); • Rigorous scientific research and publication; • Monitoring undertaken by local schools; and • International interest in the approach. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  23. Case Study 2 Issues arising from Anne Valley study (negatives) • Requires appropriate land take; • Concerns regarding groundwater protection; • Regulatory conflicts; • Concerns regarding odours; • Institutional difficulties have retarded progress; • Needs appropriate technical input and understanding; • Largely dependent on the energy of one individual; and • Not replicated elsewhere. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  24. Case Study 3 England Wetland Vision – How can ecosystem services be integrated within a 50-year vision for wetlands? • Supporting annex for the England Wetland Vision partnership ; • Resulted due to parallel policy evolution on EA; • Needed to convince ‘biodiversity sceptics’; • A personal crusade; • See www.wetlandvision.org.uk Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  25. Case Study 3 Reviewed case studies and provided a conceptual framework for integration of ecosystem services within wetland vision projects. • Great Fen project • Rainham Marshes • River Quaggy • Little Ouse Headwaters Project • Lincolnshire coastal grazing marsh project • Peatlands for People Identified ‘planned’ and ‘serendipitous’ ecosystem services. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  26. Case Study 3 Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  27. Case Study 3 Conceptual framework Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  28. Case Study 3 Conceptual framework Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  29. Case Study 3 Report recommendations • Stakeholders engaged in wetland visions to keep their eyes open for opportunities to secure multifunctional benefits; • Consultation will be necessary to ensure maximum understanding and buy in within future wetland projects; • Language and the adoption of a common parlance and consistent nomenclature is key; • A series of case studies and demonstration sites should be worked up in detail; • Integration should involve engagement with key experts to ensure a robust technical approach is advocated; and • The England Wetland Vision needs to integrate itself more closely with EA initiatives to ‘mainstream’ it with current Defra, and wider, thinking. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  30. Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Thanks to the following colleagues: Mark Crane (Watts & Crane Associates Ltd) Harvey Rodda (Hydro-GIS Ltd) David Hogan (Independent Consultant) Peter Danks and Alastair Field (Reading Agricultural Consultants) Rory Harrington (Department Environment Heritage and Local Government, Republic of Ireland) Technical Advisory Group, England Wetland Vision The UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) funded the Otmoor study under its Natural Environment Programme (NEP). EC Interreg Programme funded the Anne Valley work. The Worldwide Fund for Nature, through the England Wetland Vision partnership, funded the Integrating Ecosystem Services report. Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  31. Personal reflections • Been involved in this for 16 years • Still frustrated at rate of progress • The protected site network has failed – we need a new model • Existing legislation and planning process misses opportunities and degrades natural capital assets • People need to think outside of their usual comfort zone • Encouraged by Defra’s approach but there is still an inevitable legislation/implementation time-lag • Encouraged that other organisations are beginning to think seriously about the wider benefits the environment provides Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

  32. Thank you Any Questions? Embedding Ecosystem Services within AONBs 22 January 2009

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