12 Wetland Futures Report 2013: The Value of Healthy Wetlands
What is the value of wetlands?
Dr. Peter Glaves, Director of Enterprise & External Engagement Enterprise Fellow, Northumbria University
The economics of ecosystems and biodiversity (TEEB)
for water and wetlands
Daniela Russi, Policy Analyst, Institute for European Environmental Policy
Humans rely on ecosystems such as wetlands for a wide
range of valuable and essential benefits, services and
goods. These include the fundamental resources we
need to live, i.e. clean air, water, food and safety as well
as those things which improve the quality of our lives
e.g. picturesque landscapes, birds in our gardens. Yet
many people only recognise a limited range of values in
wetlands for example Owen Paterson, Secretary of State
for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2012 stated
that the purpose of waterways is to get rid of water.
Wetlands play a fundamental role in the water, carbon and
nutrient cycles, and provide multiple ecosystem services
to a broad range of beneficiaries including, among others,
the agricultural, energy, industry and tourism sectors,
local communities and cities. Moreover, wetlands provide
natural infrastructure that can help meet a range of policy
objectives. Beyond water availability and quality, they are
invaluable in contributing to climate change mitigation and
adaption, supporting health as well as livelihoods, local
development and poverty eradication.
Despite their importance, wetlands have been, and
continue to be, lost or degraded. This leads to biodiversity
loss - as wetlands are some of the most biodiverse
areas in the world - and a loss of ecosystem services.
Wetland loss can also lead to significant losses of human
Ecosystem services have been adopted by governments
and environmental organisations as an objective approach
but this has yet to be translated into practice. The idea
that we should value, price and pay for the benefits and
services which ecosystems provide is controversial and
there are many barriers to overcome. But as Kaiser (2000)
states that the ‘ethical argument for saving biodiversity
and the environment are not winning the war … because
of the lack of awareness of the economic value of
undeveloped environments’.
Based on a series of 20+ demonstration pilots and
feasibility studies the presentation set out a range of ways
in which an ecosystem services approach can input and
add value to existing wetland management. Ecosystem
services offer a more holistic and sustainable approach
and may be of particular use in engagement, reviewing
options, sustainability appraisals and planning etc.
wellbeing, and have negative economic impacts on
communities, countries and businesses, for example
through exacerbating water security problems.
The
Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)
for Water and Wetlands
report presents insights on
the crucial role wetlands play in human wellbeing, with
examples across different kinds of ecosystem services
and in many locations around the world. It also shows
how wise management can offer solutions to challenges
such as water and food security and protection against
extreme events like floods and droughts. Policy options
and instruments are showcased to demonstrate how
ecosystem services of wetlands can be better integrated
into decisions for social and economic development.
Dr Peter Glaves presenting at the conference
photo: Hannah Freeman
