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A GUIDE TO WORLD RESOURCES2000–2001 People and Ecosystems The Fraying Web of Life UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME WORLD BANK WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE Full ReportSeptember Forthcoming 2000 WORLD RESOURCES 2000–2001 WORLD RESOURCES REPORT PRINCIPAL PARTNERS Coastal/Marine Carol Rosen, Editor-in-Chief, United Nations Development Programme Edgardo Gomez, Marine Science since July 1999 Roberto Lenton, Charles McNeil, Institute, University of the Philippines Leslie Roberts, Editor-in-Chief, Ralph Schmidt, Susan Becker, Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, Department of before July 1999 Kristen Lewis Biology, University of Miami Gregory Mock, Senior Editor United Nations Environment Programme Ecologists/Generalists Wendy Vanasselt, Associate Editor Dan Claasen, Ashbindu Singh, Serge Antoine, Comité 21, France Janet Overton, Managing Editor Anna Stabrawa, Marion Cheatle Munyaradzi Chenje, Director, Lori Han, Production Coordinator World Bank Environment Resource Centre for Amy Wagener, Research Assistant Robert Watson, John Dixon, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe Rich Barnett, Outreach and Kirk Hamilton, Stefano Pagiola Madhav Gadgil, Centre for Ecological Marketing Director Sciences, Indian Institute of Science SENIOR ADVISORS Hiroyuki Ishi, Graduate School of Data and Maps Agriculture Frontier Science, University of Tokyo Dan Tunstall, Information Director Mary Tiffen, Drylands Research, Eugene Linden, Contributor, Robin White, Data Tables Manager United Kingdom Time Magazine Christian Ottke, Associate Biodiversity Pamela Matson, Geological and Carmen Revenga, Associate Patrick Dugan, Director, Global Environmental Sciences, Mark Rohweder, Analyst Programme, IUCN Stanford University Siobhan Murray, Map Manager Calestous Juma, Kennedy School of Robert McNamara, former President, Ken Kassem, Analyst Government, Harvard University World Bank Yumiko Kura, Analyst Thomas Lovejoy, Chief Biodiversity Bedrich Moldan, Director, Kate Sebastian, Analyst Advisor, World Bank Environmental Centre, Charles Cristian Samper, Director General, University, Czech Republic Pilot Analysis of Global Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, John Mugabe, Executive Director, Ecosystems Colombia African Centre for Technology Studies, Norbert Henninger, Project Manager Peter Schei, International Negotiations Kenya Walter V. Reid, Guest Editor Director, Directorate for Nature Walter V. Reid, Millennium Ecosystem Agroecosystems Management, Norway Assessment Secretariat Stanley Wood, Kate Sebastian, Sara Scherr Brian Walker, Wildlife and Ecology, J. Alan Brewster, Associate Dean, Coastal Ecosystems CSIRO, Australia School of Forestry and Environmental Lauretta Burke, Yumiko Kura, Studies, Yale University; former Editor- Ken Kassem, Mark Spalding, in-Chief, World Resources Report Carmen Revenga Forests Forest Ecosystems Valerie Kapos, World Conservation Emily Matthews, Siobhan Murray, Monitoring Centre, United Kingdom Richard Payne, Mark Rohweder Grasslands Freshwater Systems Habiba Gitay, Australian National Carmen Revenga, Jake Brunner, University Norbert Henninger, Sustainable Development Ken Kassem, Richard Payne Theo Panayotou, Harvard Institute for Grassland Ecosystems International Development Robin White, Siobhan Murray, Water Mark Rohweder Melanie L.J. Stiassny, Herbert R. and Evelyn Axelrod, Research Curator and Chair, Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History A GUIDE TO WORLD RESOURCES 2000–2001 People and Ecosystems The Fraying Web of Life UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME WORLD BANK WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE W ORLD R ESOURCES I NSTITUTE Washington, D.C. A Guide to World Resources 2000–2001: People and Ecosystems: The Fraying Web of Life © 2000 World Resources Institute All rights reserved. Printed on recycled paper. First printing April 2000 Published by World Resources Institute 10 G Street NE Washington, DC 20002 USA This guide summarizes the full volume, World Resources 2000–2001: People and Ecosystems: The Fraying Web of Life, which will be pub- lished in English in September 2000. The World Resources series is a collaborative product of four organizations: the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Pro- gramme, the World Bank, and the World Resources Institute. The views expressed in this volume are those of staff from each organiza- tion and do not necessarily reflect the judgments of the organiza- tions’ boards of directors or member governments. Ordering information for the full volume in English is provided on the last page of this guide. For further information, contact the supplier of each edition. English hardcover edition: Elsevier Science Ltd. The Boulevard Langford Lane, Kidlington Oxford OX5 1GB, UK English paperback edition: World Resources Institute 10 G Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 USA French edition: Editions Eska 12, rue du Quatre-Septembre 75002 Paris, France Spanish edition: Ecoespaña Editorial Apto. 16.158 28080 Madrid, Spain Photo credits Japanese edition: Cover Fall harvest in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal: Sara Elder Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. Page 2 Harvesting grain, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Sara Elder 2-7-6, Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku Page 22 Great Egret Tokyo 102-8622, Japan Page 23 Fishermen, Cochin, India: Photodisc Deteriorating Conditions Regional Differences WORLD The Bottom Line for Food Production? Water Quantity and Quality RESOURCES Quantity Quality 2000–2001 Efficiency of Use The Bottom Line for Water? People and Biodiversity Ecosystems Ill Effects of Conversion and Intensification The Bottom Line for Biodiversity? The Fraying Web of Life Carbon Sequestration COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS Extent and Modification T ABLE OF C ONTENTS Direct Changes in Mangroves, Coral Reefs, and Other Habitats P ART I REPAIRING THE FRAYING WEB OF LIFE Indirect Pressures on Coastal Regions Food from Marine Fisheries CHAPTER 1 Linking People and Ecosystems Water Quality How Viable Are Earth’s Ecosystems? Biodiversity Losing the Link? Shoreline Protection Ecosystems: Sources of Wealth and Well-Being Tourism and Recreation Trade-Offs and Costs Pressures Driving Degradation FOREST ECOSYSTEMS Overuse and Conversion Extent and Modification Demographics, Consumption, and Economics Change in Forest Cover Distorted Prices, Undervalued Services Forest Fragmentation Subsidies and Other Policy Failures Forest Fires Property Rights and Poverty: Who Owns Ecosystems Production of Fiber Managing for Healthy Ecosystems Production of Fuelwood Biodiversity CHAPTER 2 Taking Stock of Ecosystems Carbon Sequestration Measuring Ecosystem Condition Water Quality and Quantity Limitations of Looking for Naturalness Advantages of an Integrated Assessment FRESHWATER SYSTEMS The Importance of Scale Extent and Modification An Abundance of Indicators, a Scarcity of Meaning Rivers The Pilot Ecosystem Analysis Wetlands Goals for Assessing Condition and Information Watersheds What Shape Are the World’s Ecosystems In? Water Quantity Food Production Water Quality Water Quantity Food from Inland Fisheries Water Quality Biodiversity Carbon Sequestration Biodiversity GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS Recreation and Tourism Extent and Modification Food Production AGROECOSYSTEMS Biodiversity Extent and Modification Carbon Sequestration Growth of Agricultural Area Cultural and Recreational Services Intensification Soil and Climate Conditions INFORMATION NEEDS Food Production Ecosystem and Land Use Characterization Economic and Nutritional Value Food Production Growing Consumption, Growing Demand Agricultural Systems A GUIDE TO WORLD RESOURCES 2000–2001 Fisheries FRESHWATER SYSTEMS Biodiversity Distribution and Condition Working for Water, Working for Human Welfare in Soil Erosion South Africa Water An Invaded Land Grassland Condition Losing Water, Gaining Awareness Freshwater Condition The Working for Water Program Coastal Condition Tempering the Tap Forest Condition Winners and Losers Economic Value of Nonmarketed Goods and Services Beyond Pines and Wattles: The Program’s Future Appendix Managing the Mekong River: Will a Regional Mountains Approach Work? Polar Regions Protecting the Watershed for New York City Islands GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS Urban Areas Sustaining the Steppe: The Future of Mongolian Grasslands CHAPTER 3 Living in Ecosystems Nomadic Herding Traditions From Deterioration to Renewal Rural Institutions and Herding Practices: Lessons of Experience 1920–1990 What Does the Future Hold? Different Histories of Grassland Management: FOREST ECOSYSTEMS Chinese and Russian Regions Up from the Roots: Regenerating India’s Dhani Mongolia in the 1990s: Following the Chinese and Forest Through Community Action Russian Trends From Restricted Use to Overuse Looking Ahead: What Can Mongolia Learn from Its Neighbors? A Time for Action A Plan for Life CHAPTER 4 Adopting an Ecosystems Approach Sharing the Benefits What Is an Ecosystem Approach? Beyond Timber and Fuel: Pursuing Social Goals Applying an Ecosystem Approach Equity and Other Challenges State vs. Local Control: Who Should Reap the P ART II GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS Benefits of Regeneration? CHAPTER 5 Population and Human Well-Being Forest Regrowth, Community Renewal Toward Community Stewardship of Forests in CHAPTER 6 Food and Water Security Colombia CHAPTER 7 Consumption, Energy, and Wastes AGROECOSYSTEMS CHAPTER 8 Global Commons Regaining the High Ground: Reviving the Hillsides of Machakos, Kenya P ART III DATA TABLES FOR 155 COUNTRIES A Land of Hills and Dry Plains CHAPTER 9 Biodiversity and Protected Areas Changing