Watershed Evaluation Tool

Tool Details

Use It
1

Description

The Watershed Evaluation Tool allows watersheds to be compared for their biodiversity and ecosystem function importance, for current (2005) and future (2050) scenarios. This study combines future scenarios with land use modelling, to evaluate priorities for conservation or other actions, in order to balance demands on land for regions characterised by high biodiversity and poverty.

2

Where it has been used

Land conversion and intensification of agricultural systems seem unavoidable and likely to result in loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The tool has been applied in the Great Lakes of East and Central Africa region, as part of a MacArthur Foundation funded research project, to address the need to understand trade-offs between land uses, and to provide such analyses to stakeholders and decision makers. 

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How the tool is used for implementing a landscape approach

The tool has two goals: first, to present a baseline to assess future impacts of development; second, to identify current and potential future priorities to inform activities of stakeholders, in relation to impacts of major commodity markets on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. It allows watersheds within a defined region to be compared for their biodiversity and ecosystem function importance, for current and future scenarios.

Tool Specifications

Tool Submitted By:

Marieke Sassen, Programme Officer - UNEP-WCMC

User Type

Development Practitioners, Researchers, Subnational / National Government

Type of Tool

Monitoring
Feedback
Evaluating
Assessing