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Copyright of Ecoscience (Ecoscience) is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Based on land-use data collected every five years from 1990 to 2010, we quantified land-use dynamics and resultant effects on the ecosystem services along urban-rural gradients of the Guangzhou-Foshan Metropolitan Area, South China. The urban-rural gradients were set around the urban core cohesion zone with a 10-km-wide buffer zone and the value of each ecosystem service was calculated using a well-established benefit transfer method. The areas of construction land, water body and orchard expanded, while cropland, forestland and unused land contracted. The total value of ecosystem services decreased by US$ 200.33 million (or 4.3%) from 1990 to2010. Along the urban-rural gradients, the average value supplied by cropland, orchard and water body generally demonstrated a ‘first-rise-then-fall’ trend, while forestland and construction land presented an ever-increasing trend. For individual ecosystem services, raw material, gas regulation, climate regulation, soil formation and retention, biodiversity protection, recreation and culture increased steadily along the urban-rural gradients, while food production showed a fluctuating ‘first-rise-then-fall’ trend; water conservation and waste treatment increased from the core cohesion zone to the third concentric ring, and then had a sudden surge in the seventh concentric ring in both 2005 and 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecoscience (Ecoscience) is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A modelling experiment is used to examine different land-use scenarios ranging from extreme deforestation (31% forest cover) to pristine (95% forest cover) conditions and related Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes to assess whether a change in streamflow dynamics, discharge extremes and mean annual water balance of a 73.4-km2 tropical headwater catchment in Costa Rica could be detected. A semi-distributed, conceptual rainfall–runoff model was adapted to conceptualize the empirically-based, dominant hydrological processes of the study area and was multi-criteria calibrated using different objective functions and empirical constraints on model simulations in a Monte Carlo framework to account for parameter uncertainty. The results suggest that land-use change had relatively little effect on the overall mean annual water yield (<3%). However, streamflow dynamics proved to be sensitive in terms of frequency, timing and magnitude of discharge extremes. For low flows and peak discharges of return periods greater than one year, land use had a minor influence on the runoff response. Below these thresholds (<1-year return period), forest cover potentially decreased runoff peaks and low flows by as much as 10%, and non-forest cover increased runoff peaks and low flows by up to 15%. The study demonstrated the potential for using hydrological modelling to help identify the impact of protection and reforestation efforts on ecosystem services. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz Citation Birkel, C., Soulsby, C., and Tetzlaff, D., 2012. Modelling the impacts of land-cover change on streamflow dynamics of a tropical rainforest headwater catchment. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (8), 1543–1561. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which ecosystemservices have been considered in the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and the proposed adaptation projects is assessed. By August 2010, 44 least developed countries had prepared their NAPAs in response to climate change. The NAPAs constitute a starting point for planning adaptation nationally and sub-nationally, but need to be evaluated and improved as new knowledge emerges. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is an emerging approach that recognizes that ecosystem services play an important role in reducing people's vulnerability to climate change. The importance of ecosystem services is acknowledged in more than 50% of the NAPAs. Approximately 22% of the proposed projects include ecosystem activities for social well-being or adaptation, with most of them in support of other adaptation measures (e.g. infrastructure). These projects deal mainly with regulating services (soil rehabilitation, erosion control and water regulation) and provisioning services (food, fibre and fuel wood). They also have the potential to promote integrative and cross-sectoral adaptation, as many of them consider multiple ecosystem services and beneficiary sectors. However, more technical, political and financial support is needed to foster the role of ecosystem services in adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water levels within Loktak Lake, an internationally important wetland, are regulated to prioritize hydropower over other ecosystem services. High water levels have impacted ecological conditions, in particular floating vegetated islands. Barrage operation options prioritizing hydropower, agriculture and the lake ecosystem are developed using a lake water balance model. Current hydropower abstractions can be maintained without ecologically damaging high water levels. Enhanced agricultural abstractions reduce levels to meet ecological requirements. The latter could be satisfied without compromising current hydropower and agricultural abstractions. An integrated option shows it is largely possible to balance hydropower and agricultural abstractions with wetland water-level requirements. Sustainability of barrage operation options is assessed under climate change scenarios. Higher monsoon precipitation and river flow can be accommodated. Larger dry-season drawdowns impact most barrage operation options, especially the integrated option. Results demonstrate the requirement to consider current and potential future climatic conditions when developing wetland water-level management plans. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation Singh, C.R., Thompson, J.R., Kingston D.G. and French J.R., 2011. Modelling water-level options for ecosystem services and assessment of climate change, Loktak Lake, northeast India. Hydrological Sciences Journal 56 (8), 1518–1542. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ecosystem services are natural assets produced by the environment and utilized by humans -- such as clean air, water, food and materials -- and contribute to social and cultural well-being. This concept, arguably, has been developed further in wetlands than any other ecosystem. Wetlands were historically important in producing the extensive coal deposits of the Carboniferous period; key steps in human development took place in communities occupying the wetland margins of rivers, lakes and the sea; and wetlands play a key role in the hydrological cycle influencing floods and river droughts. In this paper we examine three pillars that support the wetland research agenda: hydrology, wetland origins and development, and linkages to society. We investigate these through an overview of the evolution of wetland science and assessment of the wide range of topics relating to ecosystem services covered in this Special Issue. We explain the seminal change in how modern society values the benefits of natural ecosystems and highlight the pathfinder role that wetland research has played in the paradigm shift. Co-editors D. Koutsoyiannis and Z.W. Kundzewicz Citation Maltby, E. and Acreman, M.C., 2011. Ecosystem services of wetlands: pathfinder for a new paradigm. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1341–1359. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Ciénaga Grande of Santa Marta is Colombia's largest coastal wetland and one of the most important in the Caribbean. In this paper we evaluate the complex linkages existing among the social-ecological history, provision of ecosystem services and human well-being as perceived by local stakeholders. The most critical anthropogenic impacts occurred during the last 50 years in the period following the construction of the Ciénaga-Barranquilla highway. The changes to the social-ecological system have severely altered hydrological dynamics, reduced mangrove forest coverage and affected the composition of fisheries, with direct and indirect effects on the ecosystem services provision and on the well-being of the local people. Despite the ambitious restoration programmes put in practice during the last two decades, the social-ecological impacts of large infrastructure developments are visible today. The paper offers insights that can improve environmental decision making and promote adaptive governance in coastal wetlands. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation Vilardy, S.P., González, J.A., Martín-Lopez, B. and Montes, C., 2011. Relationships between hydrological regime and ecosystem services supply in a Caribbean coastal wetland: a social-ecological approach. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1423–1435. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The wise use of wetlands is expected to contribute to ecological integrity, as well as to secure livelihoods, especially of communities dependent on their ecosystem services for sustenance. This paper provides a conceptual framework capable of examining the goals of wetland management, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods. The framework highlights ecological character as a social construct and, with the notion of wetlands as settings for human well-being, builds a concept for assessing the inter-linkages between ecosystem services and livelihoods. The value and broader applicability of our framework is then tested by applying it to a case study from India (Lake Chilika) to evaluate the degree to which the mutual goals of improving both human well-being and the ecological character of wetlands have been achieved. The case study maps changes in human well-being induced in the basin communities due to external vulnerability contexts, institutions and freedoms. It further assesses the response strategies in terms of their impacts on ecological character and poverty status. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation Kumar, R., Horwitz, P., Milton, R.G., Sellamuttu, S.S., Buckton, S.T., Davidson, N.C., Pattnaik, A.K., Zavagli, M. and Baker, C., 2011. Assessing wetland ecosystem services and poverty interlinkages: a general framework and case study. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1602–1621. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aquatic systems can flip from clear water to turbid water states. Previous research in shallow wetlands from the northern temperate zone identify clear water states as the most socially desirable based on their enhanced capacity to host biodiversity and deliver ecosystem services. However, the degree to which this model stands for Mediterranean shallow wetlands remains largely unexplored. We analyse ecosystem services associated with alternative stable states in the Doñana marsh (southwestern Spain). First, clear and turbid water states of the marsh are identified. Then, four critical ecosystem services are characterized together with the key species, and ecosystem functions on which they depend. Ecosystem service performance under the alternative stable states is assessed combining qualitative and quantitative analysis of biophysical indicators. Our results describe a patchy mosaic in which clear water and turbid water states co-exist in the marsh. All ecosystem services analysed performed better in macrophyte-dominated clear water states. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation Gómez-Baggethun, E., Alcorlo, P. and Montes, C., 2011. Ecosystem services associated with a mosaic of alternative states in a Mediterranean wetland: case study of the Doñana marsh (southwestern Spain). Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1374–1387. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that provide a number of “life-supporting” services of significant value to mankind. Flood control, groundwater replenishment, sediment retention, water purification, recreation, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, are just a few of the many valuable ecosystem services that wetlands provide. Despite these benefits, owing to the poorly understood economic value of these services, policy decisions are taken without considering them in the planning process. As a result wetlands are not only used but overused, misused and abused. This paper demonstrates the relevance of adopting an integrated approach, comprising wetland modelling based on water-quality parameters, to understand the dynamics of the ecosystem, followed by the estimation of economic benefits among various stakeholders and the exploration of incentive-based mechanisms and their role in the alleviation of poverty. These elements of a toolkit for wetland management will help planners and policy makers to make informed decisions for the sustainable management of Bhoj Wetland. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation Verma, M. and Negandhi, D., 2011. Valuing ecosystem services of wetlands—a tool for effective policy formulation and poverty alleviation. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1622–1639. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The benefits of small-scale wetlands have been largely overlooked, primarily because (a) such areas are considered problematic to manage, and (b) small wetlands fall outside the remit of most wetland inventories. The subsequent paucity of information prevents a comprehensive investigation of their properties and this must be addressed. Here we examine the evidence for the potential significance of small wetlands with regard to delivery of ecosystem services (ESs) and conclude that small wetlands often have a positive effect on their delivery, especially water quality, water regulation and biodiversity conservation. However these benefits can be offset by the emission of greenhouse gases. We suggest that, in future, wetlands should not be assessed on size alone, but rather in the context of both their location in the landscape and interaction with hydrological pathways. Furthermore, tools need to be developed to assess the type and efficiency of ESs delivered from all wetlands. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation Blackwell, M.S.A. and Pilgrim, E.S., 2011. Ecosystem services delivered by small-scale wetlands. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1467–1484. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The GaMampa wetland, a palustrine wetland, comprises less than 1% of the catchment but is widely believed to make a significant contribution to dry-season river flow in the Mohlapitsi River, a tributary of the Olifants River, in South Africa. The contribution of the GaMampa wetland to dry-season flow in the Mohlapitsi River and the impact of increasing agriculture on its hydrological functioning were investigated. Economic analyses showed that the net financial value of the wetland was US$ 83 263 of which agriculture comprises 38%. Hydrological analyses indicated that the Mohlapitsi River contributes, on average, 16% of the dry-season flow in the Olifants River. However, the wetland contributes, at most, 12% to the increase in dry-season flow observed over the reach of the river in which the wetland is located. The remainder of the increase originates from groundwater flowing through the wetland. Furthermore, despite the conversion of 50% of the wetland to agriculture since 2001, there has been no statistically significant reduction in dry-season flow in the Mohlapitsi River. These results highlight the importance of understanding the nature of the full suite of services being provided by a wetland in order to make informed decisions for appropriate management. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation McCartney, M. Morardet, S. Rebelo, L-M. Finlayson, C.M. and Masiyandima, M., 2011. A study of wetland hydrology and ecosystem service provision: GaMampa wetland, South Africa. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1452–1466. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For seven years, village-based recorders monitored fish catches and water levels in seven floodplain-associated lakes of the Lower Rufiji, Tanzania. The lakes differ in the number of days and volume of inflows from the river, and thus provide a natural experiment to explore the links between catch composition, income per hour of fishing (IPHF) and hydrological connectivity, and to analyse the response of the users. The fishers adapt their fishing mode and equipment to achieve a rather constant IPHF of between 0.2 and 0.8 US$/fisher/hour. In situations of low connectivity, during a series of drought years, the less well-connected lakes lost many species and became a virtual monoculture of Oreochromis urolepis. Only in one extreme case was average fish size significantly reduced, indicating a high fishing pressure. Catch was therefore highly resilient to shifts toward illegal, non-selective and active fishing techniques. Fish diversity and lake productivity were quickly re-established when the larger lakes reconnected. The potential impacts of changes in the flood hydrograph (through dams, increased abstraction or climate/land-use changes) are assessed, and management options discussed. Editor: D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor: M.C. Acreman Citation Hamerlynck, O., Duvail, S., Vandepitte, L., Kindinda, K., Nyingi, D.W., Paul, J.-L., Yanda, P.Z., Mwakalinga, A.B., Mgaya, Y.D. and Snoeks, J., 2011. To connect or not to connect? Floods, fisheries and livelihoods in the Lower Rufiji floodplain lakes, Tanzania. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1436–1451. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It is widely recognized that healthy ecosystems can provide considerable benefits to people, including food, timber, freshwater, protection from floods and much of what we call quality of life. A global review of these ecosystem services carried out as part of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) provided a framework for national and local studies. Using the MEA approach, this paper reviews the ecosystem services provided by the Somerset Levels and Moors wetland system in southwest England. This wetland provides a series of important services that are beneficial locally, regionally and globally, including grazing for cattle, carbon sequestration, flood water storage, recreation and archaeology. Some services are synergistic and reinforcing; for example, maintaining wet conditions supports wetland bird life that maintains biological diversity, attracts tourists, protects archaeological artefacts and reduces CO2 emissions; raising water levels to or above the ground leads to net greenhouse gas uptake by the wetland. Other services are potentially conflicting, for example raising water levels may reduce potential flood water storage and increase methane emissions. Comparison of the services of the wetland with those of drier habitats reveals for example that carbon sequestration, bird habitat provision and hay production is greater in wetlands, whilst grazing quality may decline and plant diversity may be reduced in the short term and distributions of disease vectors may be altered by wetland restoration through raising water levels. Management decisions affecting wetlands may necessitate a trade-off of ecosystem services. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz Citation Acreman, M.C., Harding, R.J., Lloyd, C., McNamara, N.P., Mountford, J.O., Mould, D.J., Purse, B. V., Heard, M.S., Stratford, C.J. and Dury, S.J., 2011. Trade-off in ecosystem services of the Somerset Levels and Moors wetlands. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1543–1565. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Priorities for the management of lowland rural floodplains in many parts of Europe have changed from a focus on agricultural production towards multi-functional landscapes that provide a range of environmental, social and economic benefits to society. This paper uses an ecosystem services framework to explore alternative management scenarios with different objectives (production, biodiversity, floodwater storage, agri-environment and income) for two rural floodplains in England. Each scenario featured different types of land cover and hydrological management. The results revealed the key role of the hydrological regime in shaping ecosystem service provision in floodplains. Both conflicts and synergies were apparent. Scenarios with deep water tables and low flood frequencies had high scores for agricultural production and flood storage capacity, but low scores for environmental outcomes. Scenarios with shallow water tables and frequent flooding showed high scores for environmental and cultural outcomes, but at the cost of a reduced flood storage capacity and increased flood risk. The scope for multiple benefits has implications for the realignment of policies to realize extra value from floodplain ecosystems. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor M.C. Acreman Citation Rouquette, J.R., Posthumus, H., Morris, J., Hess, T.M., Dawson, Q.L. and Gowing, D.J.G., 2011. Synergies and trade-offs in the management of lowland rural floodplains: an ecosystem services approach. Hydrological Sciences Journal 56 (8), 1566–1581. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]