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Water Ecosystem Services: A Global Perspective

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Authors have adopted a forward-thinking and critical position aimed at advancing our knowledge and stimulating the global dialogue.

Image showing front cover of Water Ecosystem Services: A Global Perspective The book describes how ecosystem services-based approaches can assist in addressing major global and regional water challenges (e.g. climate change, biodiversity loss, water security) by integrating scientific knowledge from multiple disciplines. Empirical assessments at the national, catchment and regional levels are used to critically appraise this systematic approach and the merits and potential limitations are presented. The practicalities of this approach are discussed, and the role of society in underpinning the concept of ecosystem services is explored. This contributory volume is a contemporary reference for researchers, academics, students and policy makers. See more..

Water Ecosystem Services: A Global Perspective was formally launched at a special session of the XVth World Water Congress of IWRA held in Edinburgh 25th-29th May 2015

The book starts by providing a practical definition of ecosystem services-based approaches that is used to articulate discussions in the individual chapters which are organised as follows:

  • Part I Addressing global challenges places the focus into the assessment of ecosystem services through the discussion of a number of case studies across the world, showing the latest advances in the integration of biophysical quantification of ecosystem service delivery with valuation techniques.
  • Part II Applying frameworks for water management and biodiversity conservation under an ecosystem services-based approach looks at how the ecosystem services approach can help address major global challenges, such as climate change, food and energy supply and biodiversity loss at global and regional scales.
  • Part III Assessing water ecosystem services reflects the notion that ecosystem services is useful for water resources management, nature conservation and business, with a focus on the practicalities of the implementation of the approach.
  • Part IV Broadening the perspective looks at the deeper human dimension underpinning the ecosystem services notion from individuals to communities, discussing new insights regarding cultural ecosystem services, beliefs and emotions towards water ecosystem services and the role of community’s partnerships. This section also includes a reflection on the role of the ecosystem services approach in human rights and conflicts.

Authors include a broad range of world class experts in the field, from top scholars, to representatives of international organisations (for example, World Bank, FAO, the Global Water Partnership, the Freshwater Biodiversity Committee) and conservation NGOs (for example, The Nature Conservancy). Authors have adopted a forward-thinking and critical position aimed at advancing our knowledge and stimulating the global dialogue. Full list of contributors and Table of Contents

To order your copy of the book click here.

Discounts are available for multiple copies. Contact Carol Kyle for further information

The editors of this book are Dr Julia Martin-Ortega (coordinating editor), Professor Bob Ferrier and Professor Iain Gordon from the James Hutton Institute and Professor Shahbaz Khan from UNESCO.

About the editors

Dr Julia Martin-Ortega

Professor Bob Ferrier

Professor Iain Gordon

Professor Shahbaz Khan

 

 

Research

Areas of Interest


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The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.