Connecting Poverty and Ecosystem Services: a Series of Seven Country Scoping Studies
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
onnecting C poverty ecosystem &services A series of seven country scoping studies Focus on Mauritania Connecting poverty and ecosystem services: A series of seven country scoping studies © 2005 United Nations Environment Programme and the International Institute for Sustainable Development Published for the United Nations Environment Programme by the International Institute for Sustainable Development United Nations Environment Programme The mission of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is to provide leadership and to encourage partner- ships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. Division of Policy Development and Law (DPDL) The objective of DPDL, a division within UNEP, is to enable members of the international community to develop integrated and coherent policy responses to environmental problems and to strengthen environmental law as well as to improve com- pliance with and enforcement of legal instruments. The Poverty-Environment Unit Within DPDL, the Poverty-Environment Unit is responsible for coordination of policy review, analysis and development as well as for the promotion of regional and national environmental policy development. It fosters partnerships with UN agen- cies, donors, the private sector and civil society to promote policy development in areas such as water, land-use, drylands, urban environment, poverty and environment linkages, health and environment, climate change and energy. United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Avenue, Gigiri PO Box 30552 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254-2) 621234 Fax: (254-2) 624489/90 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.unep.org International Institute for Sustainable Development The International Institute for Sustainable Development contributes to sustainable development by advancing policy rec- ommendations on international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change, measurement and assessment, and natural resources management. Through the Internet, we report on international negotiations and share knowledge gained through collaborative projects with global partners, resulting in more rigorous research, capacity building in developing coun- tries and better dialogue between North and South. IISD’s vision is better living for all—sustainably; its mission is to champion innovation, enabling societies to live sustainably. IISD is registered as a charitable organization in Canada and has 501(c)(3) status in the United States. IISD receives core operating support from the Government of Canada, provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Environment Canada; and from the Province of Manitoba. The institute receives project funding from numerous governments inside and outside Canada, United Nations agencies, foundations and the private sector. International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3B 0Y4 Tel: +1 (204) 958-7700 Fax: +1 (204) 958-7710 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.iisd.org/ Authors: Carissa Wong, Marlene Roy, Dr. Anantha Kumar Duraiappah The views and interpretations reflected in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the United Nations Environment Programme or the International Institute for Sustainable Development. All information in this paper was current at time of publication. Focus on Mauritania ii Connecting poverty and ecosystem services: A series of seven country scoping studies Background Ecosystems provide more than the resources needed The objective of the series is not to provide a detailed for material welfare and livelihoods. In addition to assessment of the poverty-environment linkages, but supporting all life and regulating natural systems, to identify the regions within the countries where they specifically provide health and cultural benefits critical ecosystem services for human well-being are to people. Moreover, their loss is a significant barrier stressed, signalling the need for immediate attention. to the achievement of the Millennium Development This information is expected to inform and guide the Goals related to reduction of poverty, hunger and dis- selection of potential areas where a more detailed ease. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA),1 local-scale integrated assessment of the links between released in 2005, reported, though, that 15 of the 23 ecosystem services and human well-being can be car- ecosystem services assessed were being degraded or ried out. used unsustainably. These reports do not cover previous policy interven- In light of these findings, this report sets out to pro- tions, as the local-scale integrated assessment would vide a preliminary review of ecosystem services in gather such information and report on the impacts Mauritania and the corresponding constituents and these polices have had in the past. Lessons learned can determinants of well-being related to the availability then be used together with new knowledge gathered of these services. This paper is one of seven scoping on the links between ecosystem services and human studies prepared by the International Institute for well-being to design more finely-tuned intervention Sustainable Development for the United Nations strategies that would seek to promote the reduction of Environment Programme. Other countries examined poverty and improve well-being while protecting and in this series are Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, enhancing vital ecosystem services. Tanzania and Uganda. All of the papers are available online at http://www.iisd.org/economics/ 1 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was a four-year study requested by the United Nations Secretary General in 2001 to pro- vide an overview of the state of the global ecosystems and the consequences of ecosystem changes on human well-being. Focus on Mauritania 1 Connecting poverty and ecosystem services: A series of seven country scoping studies Executive Summary 1. Assaba, Gorgol and Guidimaka emerge as the 4. Mauritania’s relatively small population is a pos- highest priority areas given the well-being con- itive factor in terms of ecosystem stresses. This stituents threatened and stressed ecosystem may not always be the case in the future given services, coupled with dense population. the country’s high fertility rates. 2. Local-scale integrated assessments in these 5. Urbanization is an issue in Mauritania and 50 regions would provide valuable information of per cent of the population is employed in the the life-determining trade-offs that are being industrial and service sectors—priorities about made as agricultural production is increasing. poverty and ecosystems will need to be made. 3. The Diarma dam serves as an example of where 6. Good land management practices would not an attempt was made to provide more secure only stall the encroachment of the desert, but electricity at the expense and deterioration of would increase carbon sequestration and pre- ecosystem services like flood control, water reg- vent the release of more carbon. ulation and soil fertility. Ecosystem services and constituents of well-being: degrees of threat by region Mainten- Food Water Energy Carbon Adequ- Clean Energy Earn ance prod- supply resources seques- ately water for liveli- of uction tration nour- warmth hood bio- ished and diversity cooking Adrar XXXXXXXXO Assaba XXXXXXXXX Brakna XXXXXXOXX Dakhet Nouadhibou XXXXXXXXO Gorgol XXXXXXXXX Guidimaka XXXXXXXXX Hodh ech Chargui XXXXXXXXX Hodh el Gharbi XXXXXXXXX Inchiri XXXXXXXXO Tagant XXXXXXXXX Tiris Zemmour XXXXXXXXO Trarza XXXXXXXXX •X indicates an ecosystem service or well-being constituent under threat in the particular region •O indicates that an ecosystem services of well-being constituent in not under threat • Bold highlights those areas of immediate priority Focus on Mauritania 2 Connecting poverty and ecosystem services: A series of seven country scoping studies Ecosystem Services Water supply, purification and regulation The literature review of Mauritania’s ecosystem serv- ices revealed five critically stressed ecosystem services Mauritania’s main source of water is rain and is highly in Mauritania: maintenance of biodiversity; food and dependent on water flowing from other countries. fibre provision; water supply, purification and regula- Agriculture uses 92 per cent of the water. Mauritania tion; fuel provision; and carbon sequestration. depends on upstream countries for over 90 per cent of its total renewable water resources and under these Maintenance of biodiversity conditions is expected to experience water scarcity by Mauritania boasts significant biodiversity, but over- 2025. Water contamination is also an issue as peren- hunting, habitat loss and competition with livestock nial surface water is frequently contaminated by are the primary reasons for the decline of many criti- pathogens which pose a serious risk for human cally endangered species as well as the now extinct health. The construction of the Diama dam also wild oryx population. Marine species are equally reduced a once productive floodplain into a dry saline threatened with accidental fishery by-catch, over-har- desert. vesting, habitat loss, invasive species and pathogens. Fuel provision In addition, the country has experienced decreased vegetation covers. In the Senegal River valley, there is Biofuels are the main