Measuring conditions and trends in ecosystem services at multiple scales: the Southern African Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (SA f MA) experience

Abstract

The Southern African Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (SAf MA) evaluated the relationships between ecosystem services and human well-being at multiple scales, ranging from local through to sub-continental. Trends in ecosystem services (fresh water, food, fuel-wood, cultural and biodiversity) over the period 1990-2000 were mixed across scales. Freshwater resources appear strained across the continent with large numbers of people not securing adequate supplies, especially of good quality water. This translates to high infant mortality patterns across the region. In some areas, the use of water resources for irrigated agriculture and urban-industrial expansion is taking place at considerable cost to the quality and quantity of freshwater available to ecosystems and for domestic use. Staple cereal production across the region has increased but was outstripped by population growth while protein malnutrition is on the rise. The much-anticipated wood-fuel crisis on the subcontinent has not materialized but some areas are experiencing shortages while numerous others remain vulnerable. Cultural benefits of biodiversity are considerable, though hard to quantify or track over time. Biodiversity resources remain at reasonable levels, but are declining faster than reflected in species extinction rates and appear highly sensitive to land-use decisions. The SAf MA sub-global assessment provided an opportunity to experiment with innovative ways to assess ecosystem services including the use of supply-demand surfaces, service sources and sink areas, priority areas for service provision, service 'hotspots' and trade-off assessments.

The 2010 challenge: data availability, information needs and extraterrestrial insights

“…Fourth, there is a clear need expressed in several papers of this volume (and by the Martian consultant) to develop better models describing how the human, biological, physical and chemical components of the Earth system interact (Dobson 2005;van Jaarsveld et al 2005;Watson 2005). Such models, still presently in their infancy, would improve our understanding of the mechanisms by which wild nature affects human wellbeing, and help identify the most effective policy levers for slowing biodiversity loss.…”

Changes in land use in South Africa between 1961 and 2006: an integrated socio-ecological analysis based on the human appropriation of net primary production framework

“…In order to assess the impact of human land use on South African ecosystems more precisely, the findings presented here could be considerably enriched by further research on the interrelations between our HANPP findings and the rich body of empirical research regarding natural conservation issues that has already been conducted for South Africa (Rouget et al 2003;Scholes and Biggs 2005;VanJaarsveld et al 2005).…”

Water Resources of African Circum-Sahara Sub Region (Renewable and Non-renewable Approach)

“…African countries located in Cirum -Sahara regions are also characterized by water stress brought about by climate variability and wider governance issues [4]. Significant progress has, however, been recorded in some parts of Africa to improve this situation, with urban populations in the southern African region achieving improved water access over recent years [5]. According to one of the most up-to -date studies carried out by [6], the results of the analysis suggested that threats to water security are already the primary cause of some of the most intractable conflict in Africa.…”

“…A more recent works were carried out by La Barbe and Tapsoba [3] and were also important sources of information. Water access and water resource management are highly variable across the continent [4,5]. African countries located in Cirum -Sahara regions are also characterized by water stress brought about by climate variability and wider governance issues [4].…”

“…It represents the long-term average annual flow of rivers (surface water) and groundwater bodies that receive a considerable recharge [5] (Table 1). It distinguishes between the natural situation (natural renewable resources), which corresponds to a situation without human influence, and the current or actual situation.…”