ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, A USEFUL CONCEPT FOR THE RESTORATION ... · 02-Jul-15 1 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, A...
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02-Jul-15 1 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, A USEFUL CONCEPT FOR THE RESTORATION OF ESTUARIES? Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Ir. Tom Maris and Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman Presenter: Ir. Jeroen Stark Ecosystem Management Research Group Univeristy of Antwerp Introduction • Managing estuaries in the face of climate change and the many human pressures is one of the major challenges of the 21st century: • Harbour development • Land reclamation • Pollution • ... • The Schelde estuary (Netherlands & Belgium) is a typical example
Transcript of ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, A USEFUL CONCEPT FOR THE RESTORATION ... · 02-Jul-15 1 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, A...
02-Jul-15
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ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, A USEFUL CONCEPTFOR THE RESTORATION OF ESTUARIES?Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Ir. Tom Maris and Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman
Presenter: Ir. Jeroen Stark
Ecosystem Management Research GroupUniveristy of Antwerp
Introduction
• Managing estuaries in the face of climate change and themany human pressures is one of the major challenges ofthe 21st century:• Harbour development• Land reclamation• Pollution• ...
• The Schelde estuary (Netherlands & Belgium) is a typicalexample
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Introduction
The challenges for managing the Schelde estuary aremanifold:
• Transboundary issues• Economic importance (e.g., Port of Antwerp)• Major changes in morphology and hydrodynamics• Ecological degradation
Introduction
Nature
HarborAgriculture
Ecology Economy
Ecology vs. Economy ?
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Introduction
The conflict between economical and ecological-orientedmanagement is not always a real conflict.
Integrated management of a complex ecosystem (such as theSchelde estuary) should be based on a better understanding ofthe functioning of the system and how we can derive thebenefits from the system
The concept of Ecosystem Services could be used to improveintegrated management
What are ecosystem services?
“The direct and indirect contributions ofecosystems to human wellbeing”
(TEEB, 2010)
Ecosystem Services
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Ecosystem Services concept gainedrapid attention:
• Costanza et al. Nature (1997)
• Millenium Ecosystem Assesment (2005)
Ecosystem Services
8Millenium Ecosystem Assesment (2005)
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Ecosystem Services
De Groot et al. 2013. Ecosystems Services
Ecosystem Services
$/ha/yr
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Driving forces:- Embankments- Dredging- Pollution
Loss of ecosystem functionsImpact on:- safety- economy- ecology
Structure
Func
tion
Schelde estuary
Schelde estuary
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Structure
Func
tion
Sustainable solutions:
Restoring ecosystemfunctions
Solutions for the actualneeds of the estuary
Schelde estuary
EcosystemServices
Structuresand
processes
Functions
Benefits
Dissipation ofTidal energy
Water fornavigation
Water qualityregulation
Estuarinemorphology
Schelde estuary
(Economic)Value
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EcosystemServices
Structuresand
processes
Functions
Benefits
Dissipation ofTidal energy
EstuaryWater for
navigation
Water qualityregulation
Schelde estuary
(Economic)Value
An integrated strategy
Formulate goals for different ecosystem services
Ecosystem services can be:• A volume of water that can be stored on marshes• Amount of primary production needed to sustain the nursery
function• Retention of nutrients• Buffering tidal energy
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An integrated strategy
Translate the required goals into type and surface ofhabitats needed, as well as the best spatial distribution
Example: Lippenbroek pilot project
10 ha tidal nature since spring 2006
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Example: Lippenbroek pilot project
Ecology: CRT
- Introducing tidal nature
- limited water exchange
- Twice a day!
Ring Dike Lowered FCA dike
FCA estuary
Outlet
polder
Safety: FCA
- Overflow dike
- only during storm, full capacity
- 1 - 2 times/year
Ring Dike Lowered FCA dike
CRT estuary
Outlet
Inlet
polder
Concept FCA – CRT:Safety and Ecology
Example: Lippenbroek pilot project
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
16/0
5/20
06
3/07
/200
6
11/0
9/20
06
25/1
0/20
06
20/0
3/20
07
21/0
3/20
07
4/06
/200
7
5/06
/200
7
1/10
/200
7
volu
me
(m³)
0
5
10
15
20
TDIN
(kg)
tidal volume N retention
Retention of 1 kg Nitrogen per ha per high water period
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Other examples: Bergenmeersen
Other examples: Kruibeke-Bazel-RupelmondeReady for the big work
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Conclusions
The concept of ecosystem services gave us a better insight inthe real impact of changes in the Schelde estuary
Habitat loss resulted in a loss of regulating services
Loss of an ecosystem service can be seen as an economic loss.
Conclusions
• Integrated approach requires an understanding of thefunctioning of the system as a whole, especially of themain driving forces
• Restoration projects should aim at having an impact onthis main driving forces.
Restore for a function and not for a structure!
• Concept of ecosystem services can be a valuable tool forintegrated management
Formulate goals for ecosystem services!
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Thanks for yourattention
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