Demonstrating the Role of Demonstrating the Role of

EcosystemsEcosystems--based Management for based Management for

Disaster Risk Reduction Disaster Risk Reduction

•Ecosystems, Livelihoods and Disaster Risk Reduction

Workshop

•Bonn, 21-23 September Demonstrating the Role of

Ecosystems-based Approaches

for Disaster Risk Reduction

Ecosystems, Livelihoods and Disaster Risk Ecosystems, Livelihoods and Disaster Risk Ecosystems, Livelihoods and Disaster Risk Ecosystems, Livelihoods and Disaster Risk Reduction WorkshopReduction WorkshopReduction WorkshopReduction Workshop

Bonn, 21Bonn, 21Bonn, 21Bonn, 21----23 September 201023 September 201023 September 201023 September 2010

Focus and scope

• Literature review + case studies (14)

• Focus on ecosystem services and ecosystems-

based approaches, with emphasis on long-based approaches, with emphasis on long-

term planning and prevention

• Provides a good overview but not exhaustive

Linkages between environment,

disasters and development

Ecosystems and Environment

• Ecosystem is a dynamic complex of living communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit in a given area. It is viewed as an integrated human-ecological system that provides goods and services necessary to that provides goods and services necessary to support life and human well-being.

• Environment refers to the physical and external conditions, including both natural and human-built elements, which surround and affect life, development and survival of organisms and communities.

Why do ecosystems matter in disaster

risk reduction?

• Two ways: reduce physical vulnerability

(exposure) and socio-economic vulnerability

• Potential and limits• Potential and limits

The ecosystem approach to disaster

risk reduction

Step 1.

Mechanisms

for

coordination/

platforms

Step 2.

Early

warning

systems

Step 3.

Emergency

contingency

planning /

disaster

response

Step 4.

Livelihood

recovery

Step 5.

Integrated

policies and

planning

Principle 1. Build on the “Ecosystem Approach”

Principle 2. Recognize potential and limits of ecosystem services.

Principle 3. Combine with other effective DRR strategies

Principle 4. Link with sustainable livelihoods and development.

Principle 5. Recognize risks associated with climate change.

Principle 6. Understand ecosystems-based DRR as a governance issue.

Principle 7. Utilize existing environmental tools and instruments and adapt for DRR.

Ecosystems-based DRR

Ecosystem management

Ecosystem-based DRR Development

planning

Disaster

management

Climate change

adaptation

Instruments and approachesInstruments and approaches

� Environmental assessments

� Risk and vulnerability assessments

� Protected area management� Protected area management

� Terrestrial and freshwater systems

� Coastal systems

� Community-based NRM

• Knowledge

Influencing policies and decisionsInfluencing policies and decisions

• Guidelines and practical tools

• Governance

• Urbanization ↔ ecosystem services

• Transboundary hazards ↔ solutions

Looking aheadLooking ahead

• Transboundary hazards ↔ solutions

• Conflict over natural resources

↔peacebuilding