1. Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Adaptation
International Workshop on Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change: From Practice to Policy on May11-12, New Delhi
Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Adaptation
Dr Pushpam Kumar
Associate Professor
Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi

2. Biodiversity and Climate Change
Biodiversity- different life form, their variety and variability at all levels
Adaptation is comprised of activities that reduce a system’s (human and natural) vulnerability to climate change
Biodiversity is determined by
Mean climate and climate variability
Productivity of site
Original stock of biodiversity
Spatial heterogeneity of habitats
The intensity and interdependency of biotic interactions (competition, predation , mutualism and symbolism
Past changes in the global climate resulted in major shifts in species ranges and marked reorganisation of biological communities, landscapes and biomes

3. Scale of Change
20% of the world’s coral reefs were lost and more than 20% degraded
35% of mangrove area has been lost in the last several decades
MA Synthesis SDM. “The structure and functioning of the world’s ecosystems changed more rapidly in the second half of the twentieth
century than at any time in human history.
■ Approximately 20% of the world’s coral reefs were lost and an additional 20% degraded in the last several decades of the
twentieth century, and approximately 35% of mangrove area was lost during this time (in countries for which sufficient data exist,
which encompass about half of the area of mangroves).
■ The amount of water impounded behind dams quadrupled since 1960, and three to six times as much water is held in
reservoirs as in natural rivers. Water withdrawals from rivers and lakes doubled since 1960; most water use (70% worldwide)
is for agriculture.”

4. Linkages of CC, Adaptation and Biodiversity
Every year, 3.2 Gt of atmospheric of C is built up (release minus assimilation by terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems)
Ecosystems approach helps the scope of adaptation and its impact on biodiversity
Land use change can significantly influence the reduction of GHGs through avoiding deforestation, conserving carbon pool substitution of fossil fuels etc.
Bioenergy, hydropower are useful responses for enhancing and strengthening biodiversity and climate change

5. Resilient ecosystems are more likely to adapt to climate change and climate variability
Protected change in climate during the 21st century will occur faster than in at least the past 10,000 years (change in exotic species, IAS etc)
Some ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change e.g. coral reefs and mangroves etc.
Changes in Biodiversity at ecosystem and landscape scale will further change the climate!

6. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

7. Linkages among Biodiversity, Ecosystem services, and Human Well-Being

8. Indirect Drivers of Change Direct Drivers of Change
Generic Links (e.g. MA)
Human Well-being and
Poverty Reduction
Basic material for a good life
Health
Good Social Relations
Security
Freedom of choice and action
Indirect Drivers of Change
Demographic
Economic (globalization, trade, market and policy framework)
Sociopolitical (governance and institutional framework)
Science and Technology
Cultural and Religious
Direct
Drivers
Indirect
Ecosystem
Services
Human
Well-being
Life on Earth:
Biodiversity
Direct Drivers of Change
Changes in land use
Species introduction or removal
Technology adaptation and use
External inputs (e.g., irrigation)
Resource consumption
Climate change
Natural physical and biological drivers (e.g., volcanoes)
The conceptual framework for the MA posits that people are integral parts of ecosystems and that a dynamic interaction
exists between them and other parts of ecosystems, with the changing human condition driving, both directly
and indirectly, changes in ecosystems and thereby causing changes in human well-being. (See Figure B.) At the same
time, social, economic, and cultural factors unrelated to ecosystems alter the human condition, and many natural
forces influence ecosystems. Although the MA emphasizes the linkages between ecosystems and human well-being, it
recognizes that the actions people take that influence ecosystems result not just from concern about human well-being
but also from considerations of the intrinsic value of species and ecosystems. Intrinsic value is the value of something
in and for itself, irrespective of its utility for someone else.
Changes in drivers that indirectly affect biodiversity, such as population, technology, and lifestyle (upper right corner of Figure), can lead to changes
in drivers directly affecting biodiversity, such as the catch of fish or the application of fertilizers (lower right corner). These result in changes to
ecosystems and the services they provide (lower left corner), thereby affecting human well-being. These interactions can take place at more than
one scale and can cross scales. For example, an international demand for timber may lead to a regional loss of forest cover, which increases
flood magnitude along a local stretch of a river. Similarly, the interactions can take place across different time scales. Different strategies and
interventions can be applied at many points in this framework to enhance human well-being and conserve ecosystems.

9. WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES?

10. Degradation and unsustainable use of ecosystem services
Approximately 60% (15 out of 24) of the ecosystem services evaluated in this assessment are being degraded or used unsustainably
Degraded
Capture fisheries
Wild foods
Wood fuel
Genetic resources
Biochemicals
Fresh Water
Air quality regulation
Regional and local climate regulation
Erosion regulation
Water purification
Pest regulation
Pollination
Natural Hazard regulation
Spiritual and religious values
Aesthetic values
Enhanced
Crops
Livestock
Aquaculture
Carbon sequestration (in last 50 yrs)

12. WHY ARE WE LOSING BIODIVERSITY WHEN IT IS SO VALUABLE?
Many of the costs of changes in biodiversity have historically not been factored into decision-making.
Many costs associated with changes in biodiversity may be slow to become apparent, may be apparent only at some distance from where biodiversity was changed, or may involve thresholds or changes in stability that are difficult to measure.
Because some ecosystem services are more difficult to value, many decisions continue to be made in the absence of a detailed analysis of the full costs, risks, and benefits.

13. Unprecedented additional efforts would be required to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss at all levels
Biodiversity will continue to decline this century
With appropriate responses:
it is possible to achieve by 2010 a reduction of the rate of biodiversity loss for certain components, or for certain indicators
Several of the sub-targets can be met

14. Some possible actions?
There are many examples where conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity does work. BUT
More progress in reducing biodiversity loss can be achieved through:
Better integration into broader development and poverty reduction strategies and greater coherence and synergies among sectoral responses
more systematic consideration of trade-offs among ecosystem services
More equitable and fair access to and sharing of ecosystem services

15. WHY IS BIODIVERSITY LOSS A PROBLEM?
It has dire consequences for many critical constituents of well-being including material wealth, security, health, social relations and the freedom of choice and action.
Biodiversity Ecosystem Functioning Ecosystem Services Human Well-being
There is no doubt many people have benefited over the last century from the conversion of natural ecosystems to human-dominated ecosystems and the exploitation of biodiversity. At the same time, however, these losses in biodiversity and changes in ecosystem services have caused others to experience declining well-being, with poverty in some social groups being exacerbated.

16. WHY ARE WE LOSING BIODIVERSITY WHEN IT IS SO VALUABLE?
Many of the costs of changes in biodiversity have historically not been factored into decision-making.
Many costs associated with changes in biodiversity may be slow to become apparent, may be apparent only at some distance from where biodiversity was changed, or may involve thresholds or changes in stability that are difficult to measure.
Because some ecosystem services are more difficult to value, many decisions continue to be made in the absence of a detailed analysis of the full costs, risks, and benefits.

17. WHY SOME BIODIVERSITY LOSS IS INEVITABLE IN THE FUTURE

18. WHAT CAN WE DO?
Make sure the value of all ecosystem services, not just those bought and sold in the market, are taken into account when making decisions.
Better integration into broader development and poverty reduction strategies and greater coherence and synergies among sectoral responses
more systematic consideration of trade-offs among ecosystem services
More equitable and fair access to and use of ecosystem services, especially regulating services

19. ACTIONS TO TAKE
To strengthen responses with a primary goal of conservation that have been partly successful.
To strengthen responses with a primary goal of sustainable use that have shown promise
To strengthen the use of integrated responses that address both conservation and sustainable use
To strengthen responses that address direct and indirect drivers and that seek to establish enabling conditions that would be particularly important for biodiversity and ecosystem services

20. Contd…
.Opportunity exists to harness the synergy among different conventions (CBD, UNFCC)
Transparent and Participative decision making process
Ecosystems management and biodiversity conservation have strong bearing on success of datptation strategy.
Innovative decision making tools and responses are available and should be utilised effectively.