Mainstreaming investments in watershed services to enhance water security: Barriers and opportunities

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
2017
Vogl, Adrian L.; Goldstein, Joshua H.; Daily, Gretchen C.; Vira, Bhaskar; Bremer, Leah; McDonald, Robert I.; Shemie, Daniel; Tellman, Beth; Cassin, Jan
Publisher N/A
SourceWeb of Science
Volume / Issue75
Pages19 - 27
Total Pages N/A
Article Link
ISBN N/A
DOI10.1016/j.envsci.2017.05.007
Editor(s) N/A
Conference / Book Title N/A
Flag N/A
TagsInvestments in watershed services; Water infrastructure; Natural infrastructure; Ecosystem-based adaptation; Enabling conditions; Return-on-investment
Other N/A
Conference Title N/A
Conference Date N/A
Publication Date17-Sep
Article Date N/A
GS Citation N/A
AbstractWatersheds are under increasing pressure worldwide, as expanding human activities coupled with global climate change threaten the water security of people downstream. In response, some communities have initiated investments in watershed services (IWS), a general term for policy-finance mechanisms that mitigate diverse watershed threats and promote ecosystem-based adaptation. Here, we explore the potential for increasing the uptake and impact of IWS, evaluating what limits its application and how institutional, financial, and informational barriers can be overcome. Our analysis complements the growing literature on individual programs by identifying levers at regional and global scales. We conclude that mainstreaming IWS as a cost-effective strategy alongside engineered approaches will require advances that (i) lower institutional barriers to implementation and participation in IWS; (ii) introduce structural market changes and standards of practice that account for the value of watershedsÕ natural capital; (iii) develop practical tools and metrics of IWS costs and benefits; and (iv) share success stories of replicable institutional and financial models applied in varied contexts.
Created: 12/14/2017 10:30 AM (ET)
Modified: 12/14/2017 10:30 AM (ET)
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