Ecosystem service assessment of selected wetlands of Kolkata and the Indian Gangetic Delta: multi-beneficial systems under differentiated management stress

© 2019, The Author(s). A structured literature review using the search term ‘ecosystem services’ found few relevant studies relating to three contrasting wetlands in West Bengal: the unpopulated Sudhanyakhali Island in the Sundarbans National Park, the populated Gosaba Island separated from Sudhanyakhali Island by a narrow channel, and the East Kolkata Wetland (EKW). Subsequent structured review focused on the EKW using specific service-related terms located only 2 provisioning, 6 regulating, 1 cultural and 3 supporting services. Few services are currently recognized in the literature, with significant gaps in whole service categories. Significantly, there was no published evidence of a systemic overview of service production at these sites. Field observations and stakeholder dialogue informed assessment of ecosystem services using the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES) approach, adopted by the Ramsar Commission, on both islands and three discretely different areas of the EKW. The RAWES surveys found that 32 of 36 ecosystem services were produced from at least one assessed wetland site. Despite low sample size, statistically significant differences were observed in the range of services produced between the five wetland sites and the geographical range at which benefits accrued, explained by differing wetland characteristics and management regimes. Were decisions based solely on evidence provided by existing published knowledge, few ecosystem services would be considered and, potentially, whole ecosystem service categories might be overlooked. Importantly, there would also be no systemic account of service production and interdependencies. RAWES assessment serves as a practical, rapid and systemic approach, taking account of interdependent ecosystem services, supporting protection of the ecological character and achievement of wise use of wetlands. RAWES can also help redress perceptions that the values of peri-urban wetlands are currently under-represented

Cross-Chapter Box NATURAL | Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Nature-based solutions provide adaptation and mitigation benefits for climate change as well as contributing to other sustainable development goals (high confidence). Effective nature-based climate change mitigation stems from inclusive decision-making and adaptive management pathways that deliver climate-resilient systems serving multiple sustainable development goals. Robust decision-making adjusts management pathways as systems are impacted by ongoing climate change. Poorly conceived and poorly designed nature-based mitigation efforts have the potential for multiple negative impacts, including competing for land and water with other sectors, reducing human well-being and failing to provide mitigation that is sustainable in the long term (high confidence).Fil: Adrian, Rita. No especifíca;Fil: Zakaria Anshari, Gusti. No especifíca;Fil: Arneth, Almut. No especifíca;Fil: Gao, Qingzhu. No especifíca;Fil: Gonzalez, Patrick. No especifíca;Fil: Harris, Rebecca. No especifíca;Fil: Price, Jeff. No especifíca;Fil: Stevens, Nicola. No especifíca;Fil: Talukdar, Gautam Hirak. No especifíca;Fil: Strutz, : Stavana E. No especifíca;Fil: Ackerly, David. No especifíca;Fil: Anderson, Elizabeth. No especifíca;Fil: Boyd, Philip. No especifíca;Fil: Birkmann, Jörn. No especifíca;Fil: Bremerich, Vanessa. No especifíca;Fil: Brotons, Lluís. No especifíca;Fil: Buotte, Polly. No especifíca;Fil: Campbell, Donovan. No especifíca;Fil: Castellanos, Edwin. No especifíca;Fil: Chen, Yu Yun. No especifíca;Fil: Cissé, Guéladio. No especifíca;Fil: Cooley, Sarah. No especifíca;Fil: Cowie, Annette. No especifíca;Fil: Dhimal, Meghnath. No especifíca;Fil: Domisch, Sami. No especifíca;Fil: Martinetto, Paulina Maria del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Trisos, Christopher. No especifíca;Fil: Turetsky, Merritt. No especifíca;Fil: Turner, Beth. No especifíca;Fil: van Aalst, Maarten. No especifíca;Fil: Young, Kenneth. No especifíca

Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecosystems and Their Services

Chapter 2, building on prior assessments, provides a global assessment of the observed impacts and projected risks of climate change to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, including their component species and the services they provide to people. Where possible, differences among regions, taxonomic groups and ecosystem types are presented. Adaptation options to reduce risks to ecosystems and people are assessed