Applying the Ecosystem Approach
through IWRM- River Basin case study
Hillary M Masundire
Chair, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem
Management (outgoing)
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Botswana
masundh@mopipi.ub.bw
ECOSOC 2 July, 2008
What is IWRM?
• A systematic process for the sustainable development,
allocation and monitoring of water resource use in the
context of social, economic and environmental objectives
• A participatory planning and implementation process
based on sound science, that brings stakeholders
together to determine how to meet long-term needs for
water and coastal resources while maintaining essential
ecological services and economic benefits
• Derives from the Dublin principles
• Principles of IWRM
ECOSOC 2 July, 2008
What is the Ecosystem Approach?
• a strategy for the integrated management
of land, water and living resources that
promotes conservation and sustainable
use in an equitable way
• Aims at achieving the 3 objectives of the
CBD – sustainable use, conservation &
equitable sharing of benefits
• Guided by 12 Principles
ECOSOC 2 July, 2008
Some Principles of IWRM
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Seem to variable but include
IWRM must be applied at catchment/ basin/watershed level
Integrate water and environmental management
A systems approach
Full stakeholder participation
Capacity building at all levels
Full-cost pricing alongside targeted subsidies
Central government to create and maintain an environment
Adopt best existing technology & practices
Equitable allocation of water resources
Water is an economic good
Strengthen the role of women in water management
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Principles of the Ecosystem Approach
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Objective setting – people’s choice
Decentralise management to lowest appropriate level
Ecosystems are inter-connected
Consider economic issues – avoid perverse incentives
Focus on ability of ecosystems to provide desired
services
Ecosystems have limits to what they can provide
ECOSOC 2 July, 2008
Principles of the ecosystem approach
7. Manage at appropriate spatial and temporal
scale
8. Set long-term objectives to be achieved by
appropriate short-term actions
9. Change in ecosystems is inevitable
10. Balance conservation and use of biodiversity
11. Consider all forms of knowledge including IK
12. Consider all stakeholders
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just a few challenges?
• Who is society? Who decides?
• Who are ALL stakeholders?
• What is appropriate devolvement of
authority?
• What is appropriate scale in space and
time?
• What ecosystem services to focus on – for
who?
ECOSOC 2 July, 2008
Southern African river basins (SARDC)
ECOSOC 2 July, 2008
Why the Ecosystem Approach?
• Provides a broad framework – for planning and
implementing ALL development at all levels
• IWRM is watercentric – a holistic approach with
a focus on water
• – a process,
• Ecosystem approach on ALL sectors
• An overarching strategy
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The artificial paradigm
Social
Economic
Economic
Social
Bio-physical
Environment
environment
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The ideal “reality”
Economic
Social
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Criticisms/shortcomings
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Too academic – too theoretical
No guidance on how to apply practically
Is it necessary to apply all 12?
Where has it been used?
Where has it worked?
Gives too much power to local resources users?
Too much focus of nature?
Too much focus on economic issues?
Reduces the power of the nation-state?
Lack of understanding of ecosystem science: structure
and functioning of ecosystems
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operationally
• Central governments need to know, understand
and use the Ecosystem Approach as a planning
and analytical tool for ALL sectors
• IWRM should be applied within the framework of
the Ecosystem Approach
• Ecosystem approach provides policy framework,
IWRM provides implementation process
ECOSOC 2 July, 2008
In conclusion
• The Ecosystem Approach offers an enabling framework
for planning and implementing development in all sectors
• IWRM can be a good example of how to apply the
Ecosystem Approach
• There is urgent need to develop capacity to mainstream
the Ecosystem Approach
• There is urgent need for specialised trainers and
innovative training in this area.
• Whatever we do – we should
• Think ecosystem – Function ecosystem
• Think locally, act globally? Act locally, think globally?
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Capacity development & awareness
• For Heads of States: 30 – 60 minutes
presentations at summits
• For Ministers: 30 – 60 minutes presentations at
regional ministerial meetings
• Breakfast seminars at up market hotels- including
captains of industry & commerce
• Build up from raising awareness to building
understanding e.g. “we should capture every drop of rain that
falls within our borders” “ My duty is to supply water to the people, I have
nothing to do with ecosystems”
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finally
• “Emancipate yourselves from mental
slavery, none but ourselves can free our
minds”
• “If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of
failure”
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