Wildlife Management and Ecosystem Services Prof. Dr. Paul J. DuBowy Ecohydrology Associates, LLC Lovell, Wyoming 82431 USA ecohydrology.associates@gmail.com

Outline Ecohydrology as the Ecosystem Driver Restoration Concepts Ecosystem Services Case Study–Florida Everglades

Aquatic Ecosystems Aquatic ecosystems are under increasing pressure due to human activities and changing natural phenomena. Increasing urbanization, intensive agriculture practices and industrialization are some of the factors contributing to water quality degradation and biodiversity loss. Rivers, estuaries and coastal areas are affected by reservoirs and dams.

Aquatic Ecosystems 2 Aquatic ecosystems are very dynamic and are changing fast. Alien species are spreading quickly and threatening biodiversity. Consistent trend of human migration toward coastal regions increase stress and degradation on estuaries and coastal areas. Cumulatively, climate changes are affecting hydrologic cycles and will pose in the near future more problems to water quantity and quality, in different world regions.

Aquatic Ecosystems 3 Water ecosystems are used as sources and sinks by a large number of similar activities occurring worldwide. Thus, similar water problems and degradation can be related to similar causes, having similar consequences in different world aquatic ecosystems. Addressing water quality and quantity issues is a crucial matter for human existence and biodiversity conservation.

Natural and Cultural Factors Natural Template and Processes Environmental Change Slow, Large-scale Geology Climate Fast, Small-scale Geomorphology Hydrology Biophysical Feedbacks AquaticSystems Ecosystem Goods and Services Exploitation Management Conservation Rehabilitation Social Priorities Economics Cultural Histories and Beliefs Human Perception and Influence after Naiman et al. 2005

Ecohydrology Using ecosystem properties as a management tool enhances carrying capacity of ecosystems against human impact. This approach is supported by a profound knowledge of ecosystems functioning, as a basis for twinning the interplay between hydrologic and ecological factors, in order to increase ecosystems robustness and resilience to anthropogenic impacts.

Ecohydrology 2 The Ecohydrology approach considers three principles that are expressed in sequential components: 1. Hydrological: The quantification of the hydrological cycle of a basin, should be a template for functional integration of hydrological and biological processes.

Ecohydrology 3 2. Ecological: The integrated processes at river basin scale can be steered in such a way as to enhance the basin’s carrying capacity and its ecosystem services. 3. Ecological engineering: The regulation of hydrological and ecological processes, based on an integrative system approach, is thus a new tool for Integrated Water Basin Management and Integrated Costal Management.

What is a Wetland Function? A biological, physical, or chemical process that occurs in a wetland, whether humans are present or not. Wildlife habitat Groundwater recharge Nutrient removal

What is a Wetland Value? A human benefit gained from a wetland system = Ecosystem Service A value may or may not be the same as a function Groundwater recharge Aesthetics A function may have a negative value Mosquito habitat

Ecosystem Services Ecologists coined the term “ecosystem services” as a way of conveying the idea that ecological systems provide services, in addition to goods, that underpin human well-being. Provide value to humanity in both direct and indirect ways. Essentially, value is the difference that something makes to someone; it may be tangible and apparent, like a durable good, or it may be something that people overlook in their day-today activities.

Ecosystem Services Four broad categories: Provisioning services are those that provide goods such as food and water Regulating services are those that control various processes, such as flood control or suppression of disease outbreaks Supporting services, such as nutrient recycling, maintain material and energy balances Cultural services are those that provide spiritual, moral, and aesthetic benefits Additionally, there are other types of services, such as provision of habitat, or information flow (science and education).

Aquatic Services Fish and Wildlife Habitat Endangered Species Hunting and Fishing Non-consumptive Recreation Groundwater Recharge Flood Control Storm Abatement

Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Endangered Species

Hunting and Fishing

Non-consumptive Recreation

Groundwater Recharge

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Storm Abatement

“Nature’s Shock Absorbers”

Aquatic Services 2 Subsistence Use Agriculture and Aquaculture Timber Carbon Sequestration Water Quality Navigation Aesthetics

Subsistence Use

Agriculture and Aquaculture

Timber

Carbon Sequestration

Wastewater Treatment                                                                

“Nature’s Kidneys”

Navigation

Aesthetics

Property Values

Quantifying Wetland Values Wetlands are multiple-value systems, that is, they may be valuable for many different reasons The most valuable products of wetlands are public amenities that have no commercial value for the private wetland owner The relationship between wetland area and marginal value is complex

Quantifying Wetland Values Commercial values are finite, whereas wetlands provide values in perpetuity Wetland development often irreversible A comparison of economic short-term gains with wetland value in the long term often is not appropriate Estimates of values, by their nature, are colored by the personal endowment and biases of individuals and of society