The Environment Pillar:
last revision -
Feb 29, 2008
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PILOT ANALYSIS OF
GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS
AGROECOSYSTEMS, Coastal Ecosystems, Forest Ecosystems, Freshwater Systems, Grassland
Ecosystems
AGROECOSYSTEMS
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Contents
FOREWORD ..................... ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .... xi
INTRODUCTION TO THE PILOT ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS .....
Introduction / 1
AGROECOSYSTEMS: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................. 1
Scope of the Assessment
Key Findings and Information Issues
Conclusions
Recommendations for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
PROLOGUE ..................... 13
Agricultural Intensification
Environmental Concerns
The Policy Challenge
AGRICULTURAL EXTENT AND AGRICULTURAL LAND USE CHANGES
....................... 17
Location and Extent of Global
Agriculture
Agricultural Land Use Balances and Trends
Agricultural Land Use Dynamics
Agroecosystem Characterization within the PAGE Global Agricultural
Extent
Global Agricultural Land Uses: Information Status and Needs
FOOD, FEED, AND FIBER ....................... 31
Global Production Patterns
Input Intensity of Agricultural Production Systems
Status and Trends in Yields and Production Capacity
The Value of Outputs
Enhancing the Capacity of Agroecosystems to Produce Food, Feed, and
Fiber
Summary of Indicators and Data
SOIL RESOURCE CONDITION ................ 45
Global Patterns of Soil Constraints
Soil Quality Status and Change
Soil Organic Matter
Soil Nutrient Dynamics
Interpreting Regional and Global Soil Quality
Enhancing the Capacity of Soils to Provide Goods and Services
Summary of Indicators and Data
WATER SERVICES .......... 55
Condition of Rainfed Agroecosystems
Condition of Irrigated Agroecosystems
Agricultural Effects on Water Quality
Agricultural Effects on Water Supply
Summary of Indicators and Data
BIODIVERSITY ............... 63
Status of Land Conversion to
Agricultural Use
Status of Natural Habitat within Agricultural Landscapes
Status of Wild Biodiversity in Agroecosystems
Status of Agricultural Diversity
Enhancing the Capacity of Agroecosystems to Support Biodiversity
Summary of Indicators and Data
CARBON SERVICES ........ 75
Status of Carbon Stocks
Status and Trends of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Enhancing the Capacity of Agroecosystems to Provide Carbon Services
Summary of Indicators and Data
ENDNOTES ............. 83
ABBREVIATIONS AND UNITS ..... 85
REFERENCES ........ 87
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Coastal Ecosystems
Contents
FOREWORD .. ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .... xi
INTRODUCTION TO THE PILOT ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS
................ Introduction/1
COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1
Scope of the Analysis
Key Findings and Information Issues
Conclusions
COASTAL ZONE: EXTENT AND CHANGE .................... 11
Working Definition of Coastal Zone
Estimating Area and Length of Coastal Zone
Characterizing the Natural Coastal Features
Extent and Change in Area of Selected Coastal Ecosystem Types
Human Modification of Coastal Ecosystems
Information Status and Needs
SHORELINE STABILIZATION .................. 25
Importance of Shoreline Stabilization
Effects of Artificial Structures on the Shoreline
Condition of Shoreline Stabilization Services
Capacity of Coastal Ecosystems to Continue to Provide Shoreline
Stabilization
Information Status and Needs
WATER QUALITY ................ 31
Coastal Water Quality
Condition of Coastal Waters
Capacity of Coastal Ecosystems to Continue to Provide Clean Water
Information Status and Needs
BIODIVERSITY .................... 39
Importance of Biodiversity
Diversity of Coastal Ecosystems
Condition of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity
Capacity of Coastal Ecosystems to Sustain Biodiversity
Information Status and Needs
FOOD PRODUCTION—MARINE FISHERIES .............. 51
Importance of Marine Fisheries
Production
Status and Trends in Marine Fisheries Production
Pressures on Marine Fishery Resources
Condition of Marine Fisheries Resources
Capacity of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems to Continue to Provide Fish
Information Status and Needs
TOURISM AND RECREATION ................. 63
Growth of Global Tourism
Status and Trends of Tourism in the Caribbean
Impacts of Tourism on the Environment and the Economy
Tourism Carrying Capacity
Sustainable Tourism
The Role of Protected Areas
Information Status and Needs
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Forest
Ecosystems
Contents
FOREWORD IX
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS XI
INTRODUCTION TO THE PILOT ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS 1
FOREST ECOSYSTEMS: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
Scope of Analysis 1
Key Findings and Information Issues 2
Conclusions 8
Recommendations for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 8
PROLOGUE: FORESTS IN HISTORY 9
FOREST EXTENT AND CHANGE 11
A Working Definition of Forest
Ecosystems 11
Extent of Global Forest Cover 11
Human Modification of Forest Cover 15
Human Modification of Forest Condition 19
Global Forest Cover: Information Status and Needs 26
INDUSTRIAL ROUNDWOOD 27
Global Production of Industrial
Roundwood 27
Trends in Industrial Roundwood Production 27
Forest Modification to Increase Industrial Roundwood Production 28
Forest Capacity to Sustain Industrial Roundwood Production 29
Ecological Externalities of Industrial Roundwood Production 32
Information Status and Needs 35
WOODFUELS 39
Global Production of Woodfuels 39
Trends in Woodfuel Production 40
Forest Modification to Increase Woodfuel Production 40
Forest Capacity to Sustain Woodfuel Production 41
Ecological Externalities of Woodfuel Production 42
Information Status and Needs 42
BIODIVERSITY 45
The Diversity of Forests 45
Trends in Forest Biodiversity 47
Measures to Protect Forest Biodiversity 47
The Capacity of Forests to Sustain Biodiversity 48
Trade-Offs Involved in Protecting Forest Biodiversity 53
Information Status and Needs 53
CARBON STORAGE AND SEQUESTRATION 55
How Forests Store Carbon 55
The Global Carbon Cycle 55
Human Modification of the Carbon Cycle: Trends in Land Use and Fossil
Fuel Combustion 56
Carbon Stores in Forests and Other Terrestrial Ecosystems 57
Forest Capacity to Maintain or Increase Terrestrial Carbon Stores 58
Information Status and Needs 59
WATERSHED PROTECTION 61
Environmental Services of Watershed
Forests 61
Trends in Watershed Forest Cover 62
Forest Modification to Enhance Watershed Protection 62
Capacity of Forests to Sustain Watershed Protection Services 63
Externalities of Deforestation in Watersheds 64
Information Status and Needs 65
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Freshwater Systems
Contents
FOREWORD .................... vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .... ix
INTRODUCTION TO THE PILOT ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS .....
Introduction / 1
FRESHWATER SYSTEMS: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......... 1
Scope of the Assessment
Key Findings and Information Issues
Conclusions
PROLOGUE: FRESHWATER SYSTEMS—WHAT THEY ARE, WHY THEY MATTER ....... 11
HUMAN MODIFICATION OF FRESHWATER SYSTEMS ... 15
Modification Of Rivers
Changes In Groundwater Resources
Wetland Extent and Change
Watershed Modification
Modification Of Freshwater Systems Information Status and Needs
WATER QUANTITY ......... 25
Overview
Condition Indicators of Water Quantity
Capacity of Freshwater Systems to Provide Water
Water Quantity Information Status and Needs
WATER QUALITY ............ 31
Overview
Condition Indicators of the Quality of Surface Waters
Condition Indicators of Groundwater Quality
Capacity of Freshwater Systems to Provide Clean Water
Water Quality Information Status and Needs
FOOD—INLAND FISHERIES .................. 41
Status and Trends in Inland Fisheries
Pressures on Inland Fishery Resources
Condition Indicators of Fish Production
Capacity of Freshwater System to Provide Food
Inland Fisheries Information Status and Needs
BIODIVERSITY ............... 49
Overview
Indicators of Biological Value
Condition Indicators of Biodiversity
Capacity of Freshwater Systems to Sustain Biodiversity
Biodiversity Information Status and Needs
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Grassland Ecosystems
Contents
FOREWORD... viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............ x
INTRODUCTION TO THE PILOT ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS ..... 1
GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........ ..1
Scope of Analysis
Key Findings and Information Issues
Conclusions
Recommendations for Future Grassland Assessments
PROLOGUE: GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS—WHY THEY MATTER, HOW THEY’RE DOING
................... ..7
GRASSLAND EXTENT AND CHANGE .......... 11
A Working Definition of Grasslands
Extent of Global Grassland Cover
Global Grassland Cover: Information Status and Needs
FOOD, FORAGE, AND LIVESTOCK .............. 29
Global Grassland Production of Food,
Forage, and Livestock
Trends in Grassland Production of Food, Forage, and Livestock
Grassland Modification to Produce Food, Forage, and Livestock
Capacity of Grasslands to Sustain Production of Food, Forage, and
Livestock
Grassland Production of Food, Forage, and Livestock: Information Status
and Needs
BIODIVERSITY ....................... 39
The Diversity of Grasslands
Trends in Grassland Biodiversity
Human Modification of Grassland Biodiversity
Capacity of Grasslands to Sustain Biodiversity
Grassland Biodiversity: Information Status and Needs
CARBON STORAGE ............... 49
Grassland Storage of Carbon
Carbon Stores in Grasslands and Other Terrestrial Ecosystems
Human Modification of Grassland Carbon Stores
Capacity of Grasslands to Maintain or Increase Terrestrial Carbon Stores
Grassland Carbon Storage: Information Status and Needs
TOURISM AND RECREATION ....................... 55
Grasslands as Tourist and Recreational
Attractions
Trends in Grassland Tourism and Recreation
Grassland Modification to Support Tourism and Recreation
Capacity of Grasslands to Sustain Tourism and Recreation
Grassland Tourism and Recreation: Information Status and Needs
Contents
ABBREVIATIONS AND UNITS....................... 63
REFERENCES ............. 65
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