Skip to main content
IUCN CEM Ecosystem Services Thematic Group
More information
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN CEM Ecosystem Services Thematic Group

project image

Overview and description

Description:
The overall objective of this Thematic Group is to improve the knowledge base on ecosystem services and their values, and stimulate the integration of this knowledge in planning and decision making ...
Read More

The overall objective of this Thematic Group is to improve the knowledge base on ecosystem services and their values, and stimulate the integration of this knowledge in planning and decision making for sustainable ecosystem management. To achieve these objectives, the CEM Ecosystem Service Thematic Group aims to create a global network of knowledge bases and case studies in order to develop best practice guidelines for the sustainable management of ecosystems, with the further aim of demonstrating real life applications of the ‘ecosystem services concept’ and that investing in nature conservation and restoration ‘pays’!

Read Less

Group leadership

Dr Simone Marie MAYNARD
Lead
Dr Ruchi BADOLA
Co-Lead
I am currently working as Scientist G / Senior Professor and heading the Department of Eco-Development Planning and participatory management at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. I am looking after Training and Academics at WII as Nodal Officer. She has been conducted applied research on various aspects of wildlife management such as eco-development planning, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, valuation of ecosystem services, livelihood development, covering almost all States in the country. I have developed Management Plans for seven wetlands of conservation importance in the states of Manipur, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. She is coordinating the Ganga Biodiversity conservation initiative under the Namami Gange flagship programme of GoI. This project aims to develop a science based species recovery program for the restoration of Ganga river and its major tributaries, with the participation of key stakeholders. Under this project, we have mobilized a cadre of trained volunteers known as Ganga Praharis, who are assisting the Government of India in restoring aquatic biodiversity of Ganga River basin. The Ganga Prahari cadre is an innovative example of leadership at the grassroots levels that is endeavoring to bring about a social, economic and ecological transformation. This project has brought been able to lay the foundations for advanced studies on Biodiversity conservation for river restoration, and developed models that link river conservation with conservation oriented livelihood models. I am also the principal investigator of the project on “Assessment of ecological status of select Indian rivers for conservation planning” funded by the NRCD, and the CAMPA funded project on “Conservation of the Sangai Deer in the Keibul Lamjao National Park”. I have developed and implemented pioneer training programmes in human dimension of wildlife conservation. I have published over 100 peer reviewed articles in journals of international repute, books and book chapters. I have institutionalized mechanisms to involve communities and ecodevelopment planning for Protected Areas, and has been at the forefront for developing mechanisms for institution building in wildlife conservation.
I am currently working as Scientist G / Senior Professor and heading the Department of Eco-Development Planning and participatory management at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. I am looking ...

What are Ecosystem Services?

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment defined Ecosystem Services as “the benefits people derive from ecosystems”. Besides provisioning services or goods like food, wood and other raw materials, plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms provide essential regulating services such as pollination of crops, prevention of soil erosion and water purification, and a vast array of cultural services, like recreation and a sense of place.

In spite of the ecological, cultural and economic importance of these services, ecosystems and the biodiversity that underpins them are still being degraded and lost at an unprecedented scale. One major reason for this is that the value (importance) of ecosystems to human welfare is still underestimated and not fully recognized in everyday planning and decision-making, in other words, the benefits of their services are not, or only partly, captured in conventional market economics. Furthermore, the costs of externalities of economic development (e.g. pollution, deforestation) are usually not accounted for, while inappropriate tax and subsidy (incentive) systems encourage the over-exploitation and unsustainable use of natural resources and other ecosystem services at the expense of the poor and future generations.

Objective of the CEM Thematic Group on Ecosystem Services

The overall objective of this Thematic Group is to improve the knowledge base on ecosystem services and their values and stimulate the integration of this knowledge in planning and decision making for sustainable ecosystem management.

Specific Objectives

  • Stimulate research on the capacity and resilience of ecosystems to provide goods and services in a sustainable manner and develop tools and guidelines for practical applications and integrated ecosystem services assessments.

  • Highlight the importance (value) of ecosystem services for governments, communities and corporations; identify the users/beneficiaries (stakeholders) of ecosystem services; and stimulate partnerships and other incentive mechanisms to conserve and restore ecosystems and their services.

  • Communicate the knowledge and applications of ecosystem services and values to decision makers at all scales and the general public, thus building local and political support and convincing (potential) donors that benefits of conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems usually outweigh the costs.​

Planned Activities

To achieve these objectives, the CEM Ecosystem Service Thematic Group aims to create a global network of knowledge bases and case studies in order to develop best practice guidelines for the sustainable management of ecosystems, with the further aim of demonstrating real life applications of the ‘ecosystem services concept’ and that investing in nature conservation and restoration ‘pays’!

IUCN Linkages

Due to the wide range of disciplines involved with the Ecosystem Services theme, the CEM-ES Thematic Group (TG) will be working together closely with other CEM thematic groups, on cross-cutting issues, including the Ecosystem Red List TG; Ecosystem Restoration TG; Ecosystem and the Private Sector TG and Ecosystem Approach TG.

In addition, collaboration will be explored with other IUCN commissions, partnerships and regional offices including the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR).

Global Partnerships

The CEM Ecosystem Services theme will work together closely with the main international organizations, among others:

  • The Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP): a platform that aims to enhance communication, coordination and cooperation, and to build a strong network of individuals and organizations. The ESP is chaired by Rudolf de Groot, former Lead and current Special Advisor of the Ecosystem Services Thematic Group.

  • The Sub-Global Assessment (SGA) Network, coordinated by UNEP-WCMC, seeks to create a common platform for practitioners involved in ecosystem assessment at regional, sub-regional, national and sub-national levels. The intention is to promote and facilitate improved capacity in undertaking and using assessments. 

  • The IPBES (the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) is a new mechanism that focuses on strengthening the interface between the scientific community and policymakers, that aims at building capacity for and strengthen the use of science in policymaking. The IPBES is proposed as a broadly similar mechanism to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). 

  • The TEEB-follow-up network of National Assessments.​

Return to group directory