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KEY PUBLICATIONS AND ONLINE
RESOURCES
WATER, OCEANS AND WETLANDS
This page was updated
on: 01/12/10
ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER: A WORLD PROBLEM
(Netherlands National Committee of the IAH, 2009)
This publication presents the problem of arsenic in groundwater in a
manner accessible to a broad and involved public that might not normally
have access to scientific literature. It includes sections on: sources
and distribution of arsenic in groundwater and aquifers; geochemical
experimentation and modelling are tools for understanding the origin of
arsenic in groundwater in Bangladesh and elsewhere; review of arsenic
behaviour from groundwater and soil to crops and potential impacts on
agriculture and food supply; and health effects in inorganic arsenic.
The
resource.
WATER RELATED
MIGRATION, CHANGING LAND USE AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
(UNU and UNW-DPC, October 2009)
This publication, prepared by the United Nations University and the
UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development, focuses on one of the
themes from the World Water Forum held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 17-18
March 2009: it aims to contribute to the understanding of rural to
rural, rural to urban and cross-border migration in the face of water
scarcity. The
publication.
MARINE MENACE: ALIEN INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
(IUCN, 2009)
This report indicates that the marine world is under threat and many
factors are driving biodiversity loss, with the most insidious threat
being posed by marine invasive species. The report summarises the main
threats and what can be done to counter them. The
report.
MONITORING FUNCTIONAL GROUPS OF HERBIVOROUS REEF FISHES AS INDICATORS OF
CORAL REEF RESILIENCE: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR CORAL REEF MANAGERS IN THE
ASIA PACIFIC REGION
(IUCN, 2009)
Herbivores play a critical role in coral reef resilience by limiting the
establishment and growth of algal communities that impede coral
recruitment. This document provides practical advice to field
practitioners based on an example from the Asia Pacific Region. The
report.
RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT OF CORAL REEFS: RAPID ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL FOR
CORAL REEFS, FOCUSING ON CORAL BLEACHING AND THERMAL STRESS
(IUCN, 2009)
The need for rapid methodologies for measuring coral reef resilience and
their application in assessing the effectiveness of coral reef
conservation management measures is becoming increasingly acute. This
document outlines a protocol that defines some basic resilience
indicators for rapid assessment methods. The
document.
WATER FOR BUSINESS: INITIATIVES GUIDING SUSTAINABLE
WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
(WBCSD and IUCN, 2009)
This report, produced jointly by IUCN and the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (WBCSD), identifies 16 initiatives or tools for
water management, driven by business leaders, civil society and
governments, which have emerged since 2006. It includes the WBCSD Global
Water Tool, which helps companies map their water use and assess water
risks and opportunities across their global operations. This guide is
aimed at helping business identify which initiatives and approaches will
most suit its needs, and to help developers of schemes understand
opportunities for increasing impact through consensus building and joint
action. The
report.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH - EARLY DETECTION AND
RAPID RESPONSE TO BIOLOGICAL INVASION ALONG US TRADE PATHWAYS
(IUCN and US EPA, 2009)
This report, produced by IUCN, states that ports and trade hotspots in
the US require better ways to detect invasive species, as well as more
rapid response protocols. The publication urges swift action to improve
biosecurity measures, including improved coordination between agencies
and greater international cooperation. Neighborhood Watch offers
recommendations to improve biosecurity measures at US ports, as well as
a possible funding mechanism based upon the "polluter pays" principle.
The
report.
HYDROLOGICAL EXTREMES IN SMALL BASINS
(UNESCO-IHP,
Technical Documents in Hydrology No. 84; 2009)
Edited by W. Chelmicki and J. Siwek, this volume constitutes the
proceedings of the 12th Biennial Conference of the Euromediterranean
Network of Representative and Experimental Basins (ERB) held in Krakow,
Poland, from 18-20 September 2008. The conference addressed the issue of
hydrological extremes in small basins and was organized by the Institute
of Geography and Spatial Management of the Jagiellonian University under
the umbrella of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences,
"PUB" initiative (Prediction in Ungauged Basins) and the International
Hydrological Programme (IHP) of the UN Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Northern European FRIEND Project. This
volume includes the 24 articles submitted by the authors after the
conference, including the text of the keynote presentation.
The technical document.
THE
CONSERVATION STATUS OF PELAGIC SHARKS AND RAYS: REPORT OF THE
IUCN SHARK SPECIALIST GROUP PELAGIC SHARK RED LIST WORKSHOP
(IUCN, June 2009)
This study is the first to determine the global conservation status
of 64 species of open ocean (pelagic) sharks and rays and reveals that
32% are threatened with extinction, primarily due to overfishing. The
percentage of open ocean shark species threatened with extinction is
higher for the sharks taken in high-seas fisheries (52%) than for the
group as a whole. The
report.
JOINT WATER
QUANTITY/QUALITY MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS IN A BIOFUEL PRODUCTION AREA: USING
AN INTEGRATED ECONOMIC-HYDROLOGIC MODEL
(IFPRI, 2009)
This discussion paper was published by the International Food Policy
Research Institute (IFPRI), a research center of the Consultative Group
on International Agricultural Research. It examines the application of
the integrated hydrologic-economic basin model to water management in
the Pirapama River Basin in Brazil, to study both water quantity and
quality issues. The model results show that incorporating water quality
aspects into water allocation decisions leads to a substantial reduction
in application of vinasse byproduct to sugarcane fields. The paper also
suggests that to enforce water quality restrictions, the shadow price
for maintaining water in the reservoir could be used as a pollution tax
for fertirrigated areas, which are currently not subject to pollution
charges. The
paper.
RESILIENCE
ASSESSMENT OF CORAL REEFS
(IUCN, 2009)
This report, subtitled "Assessment protocol for coral reefs, focusing on
coral bleaching and thermal stress," shows that the amount of damage
done to corals depends not only on the rate and extent of climate
change, but also on the ability of coral reefs to cope with change. This
report outlines a protocol that defines basic resilience indicators that
can be quantified using rapid assessment methods. The
report.
WORLD DATABASE ON MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
(UNEP-WCMC, June
2009)
This
decision-making tool aims to provide the most current and relevant
information about marine and coastal biodiversity and its protection
status. The tool was created by the UN Environment Programme's World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) with IUCN, and is part of the
recently redeveloped World Database on Protected Areas – the
authoritative and most globally comprehensive list of marine and
terrestrial protected areas. The
database.
INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT
OF DEEP-SEA FISHERIES IN THE HIGH SEAS
(FAO, June 2009)
This set of technical guidelines is aimed at helping the fisheries
sector reduce its impacts on fragile deep-sea fish species and
ecosystems. The guidelines provide a framework that countries can use,
individually and in the context of regional fisheries management
organizations, to manage deep-sea fisheries in high-seas areas outside
of national jurisdictions. They prescribe steps for identifying and
protecting vulnerable ocean ecosystems and provide guidance on the
sustainable use of marine living resources in deep-sea areas. They also
outline ways that information on the location and status of vulnerable
marine ecosystems, including vulnerable deep-sea fish stocks, should be
improved. The
guidelines.
MARINE LITTER: A GLOBAL CHALLENGE
(UNEP, 2009)
This report provides an overview of the status of marine litter in
UNEP's assisted Regional Seas, and highlights the amounts, main sources,
impacts and economics of marine litter. It also discusses: legislation,
policies, compliance and enforcement mechanisms; institutional
frameworks and stakeholder involvement; education and outreach
strategies; monitoring programmes and research; and mitigation
activities. It concludes that there is an urgent need to approach the
issue of marine litter through better enforcement of laws and
regulations, expanded outreach and educational campaigns, and the
employment of strong economic instruments and incentives. It proposes
some general and specific recommendations regarding marine litter. The
report.
IUCN'S COMPILATION OF CASE
STUDIES ON THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF MPAs
(IUCN,
May 2009)
This compilation of case studies concludes that protecting
the oceans through marine protected areas (MPAs) can provide higher and
more sustained income through tourism and controlled fisheries than
continued exploitation.
Kulape-Batu-Batu Marine Protected Area, Philippines.
Navakavu Locally Managed Marine Area, Fiji.
Western Hawaii Marine Protected Area Network, US.
Lundy Island No Take Zone, UK.
ABANDONED, LOST OR OTHERWISE DISCARDED FISHING GEAR
(FAO/UNEP; 2009)
This study on abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)
aims to raise awareness of the extent of the problem and to recommend
action to mitigate the problem of ALDFG by flag States, regional
fisheries management bodies and organizations, and international
organizations. The report reviews: the magnitude and composition of
ALDFG; its impacts; the factors which cause fishing gear to be
abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded; and the measures currently in
place to reduce ALDFG. The report concludes with a number of
recommendations for future action to reduce ALDFG debris, be it on a
mandatory or voluntary basis. The
report.
SCAR-MARBIN PORTAL
(Census of Antarctic Marine Life, May 2009)
SCAR-Marine Biodiversity Information Network (SCAR-MarBIN) is an
International Polar Year Core Initiative, which lets users instantly
download data and map the occurrence and abundance of polar marine
organisms. This database enables
access to over one million records
from 120 datasets and is updated by over 70 experts
worldwide. The
database.
STUDY ON THE
ECONOMIC VALUE OF GROUNDWATER AND BIODIVERSITY IN EUROPEAN FORESTS
(IUCN, Confederation for European Forest Owners, 2009)
Written by Chantal van Ham, Thomas Greiber, Gerben Janse and Marta
Gaworska, this study explores the state of development of
forest-groundwater related payments for environmental services (PES)
schemes in the European Union. It shows that PES structures already
exist in a number of EU member states, which fund afforestation and
sustainable management practices and thus support, maintain, and even
develop the protective functions of forests with regards to groundwater.
The
study.
AFRICAN
WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE: ASSESSMENT OF BENEFITS ASSOCIATED
WITH DESIGNATIONS UNDER THE RAMSAR CONVENTION
(Georgetown International Environmental Law Review, vol XXI, issue 2;
Winter 2009)
This survey is authored by
Royal Gardner, Stetson University College of Law,
Kim Diana Connolly,
University of South Carolina School of Law, and
Abou Bamba, Ramsar
Secretariat. The article discusses the survey results from 26 sites in
18 countries. It finds that benefits associated with a Ramsar
designation include increased: support for protection and management of
the sites; scientific studies; funding opportunities; ecotourism and
poverty alleviation. The
survey.
RAMSAR SITES OF THE WORLD
(The Ministry of Environment Korea, WWT, and UNDP/GEF Korea Wetland
Project; April 2009)
This book shows exemplary conservation practices of 17 Ramsar sites
around the world: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany,
India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mali, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South
Korea, Sweden, the UK and the US. These Ramsar sites are described by 24
wetland experts and over 40 photographers. The
book.
INNOWAT: WATER,
INNOVATIONS, LEARNING AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS
(IFAD,
March 2009)
This tool kit, published by the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), seeks to
strengthen IFAD's capacity as a knowledge management broker for
development partners interested in water and rural poverty, and to
provide IFAD country programme managers with practical tools for project
development, implementation and pro-poor, water related interventions.
Case studies cover Bangladesh, Gambia, Niger, Peru and Tanzania. The
tool kit.
MARINE BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION NETWORK
(Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, 2009)
Created by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), an
inter-disciplinary committee of the International Council for Science,
the Marine Biodiversity Information Network (SCAR-MarBIN) is a
collaborative web portal that provides free and open access to
information on Antarctic marine biodiversity. The portal started as a
major Belgian contribution to the International Polar Year, but grew
into an international collaborative effort. The
portal.
SEA CUCUMBERS: A GLOBAL REVIEW OF
FISHERIES AND TRADE
(FAO, April 2009) This report finds that sea cucumber stocks are under
intense fishing pressure throughout the world and that most high value
commercial species have been depleted. In a majority of countries
reviewed and in the African and Indian Ocean regions, stocks are
overfished and in the Asian Pacific region the most sought-after species
are largely depleted. The report also identifies additional threats for
sea cucumber populations worldwide, including global warming, habitat
destruction, and illegal fishing. The
report.
FACING THE CHALLENGES
(UNESCO, March 2009) This volume of case studies was published in
conjunction with UN World Water Development Report 3. This first
stand-alone volume includes 20 studies from Africa, Asia and the
Pacific, Europe and Latin America, where conditions of water-related
stress and socio-economic settings vary widely. These case studies will
continue the work of previous reports by providing in-depth analysis of
the state of freshwater resources and related challenges that directly
affect the livelihoods of people in the societies. The
volume.
IWRM GUIDELINES AT RIVER BASIN LEVEL
(UNESCO, March 2009)
These Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Guidelines were
produced as a contribution of UNESCO's International Hydrological
Programme towards the World Water Assessment Programme with dedicated
support from Japanese Government. They consist of two parts: overarching
Principles of IWRM at River Basin Level for policy-makers; practical
keys for success and good examples intended for practitioners of IWRM at
River Basin Level. The Guidelines propose a 'Spiral Model' of IWRM,
which illustrates the evolving and dynamic nature of the IWRM process.
Accumulated 'Key for Success' can be used in practice to help IWRM
succeed at the river basin level. 'Good examples' in several different
river basins worldwide show how these keys could overcome the issues.
Brochure Presentation;
Part 1 Principles;
Part 2-1 Guidelines for IWRM Coordination;
Part 2-2 Guidelines for Flood Management;
Part 2-3 Invitation to IWRM for Irrigation Practitioners.
IUCN CASE STUDIES ON WATER AND
PROTECTED AREAS
(IUCN, 2009)
This compilation of case studies concludes that
protecting watersheds provides many of the
world's megacities with freshwater and saves billions of dollars. The
cases relate to: Guatopo and Macarao National Parks;
Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park;
Kruger National Park; and the Macquarie Marshes.
Case studies.
UN WORLD WATER DEVELOPMENT REPORT 3 –
WATER IN A CHANGING WORLD
(UNESCO, March 2009)
This report presents a comprehensive assessment of global freshwater
resources to date. Starting from the conclusions of the first two
reports presented, respectively, in Kyoto, Japan, in 2003 and in Mexico
City, Mexico, in 2006, it emphasizes the role played by water in
development and economic growth. It also examines a range of subjects,
including population growth, climate change, altered ecosystems, food
production, health, industry and energy, as well as biofuels and the
importance of underground aquifers. The report is completed by a series
of case studies on selected cities, regions and countries (Istanbul,
Cameroon, Spain, the Netherlands, Sudan, Swaziland and basins of La
Plata and Lake Merin). The
report.
THE TWO ANALYSIS – INTRODUCING A
METHODOLOGY FOR THE TRANSBOUNDARY WATERS OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS
(SIWI, 2008) This SIWI report details an analytical framework for
effectively developing transboundary water resources in a responsible
manner. The report sets out a methodology that aims to: enable
transboundary water stakeholders to collaborate on the equitable and
sustainable use of their jointly held freshwater resources; optimize
benefits for development and economic growth; and clarify tradeoffs in
developing transboundary water resources. The
report.
"FROM RIDGE TO REEF"
WATER, ENVIRONMENT, AND COMMUNITY SECURITY: GEF ACTION ON TRANSBOUNDARY
WATER RESOURCES
(GEF, March 2009)
This publication explores the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) work
on International Waters projects. The GEF has supported regional
collaborative efforts for 22 transboundary surface water basins, 16
large marine ecosystems, and 5 cross-border groundwater systems. The
publication.
WATER SCARCITY
AND CLIMATE CHANGE: GROWING RISKS FOR BUSINESSES AND INVESTORS
(Ceres and the Pacific Institute, February 2009)
This report details the growing business
risks stemming from water scarcity and quality in eight key sectors:
agriculture, beverage, electric power/energy, apparel, high-tech/IT,
mining/metals, forest products, and biotechnology/pharmaceutical. The
report concludes that climate change will exacerbate growing water
risks, especially as the world population grows by 50 million people
every year. Despite the looming challenges faced by the water sector,
the report concludes that businesses and investors are largely unaware
of water-related risks or how climate change will likely exacerbate
them, and outlines recommended actions. The
report.
FAO'S ETO
CALCULATOR
(FAO, January 2009)
This UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) software's main function
is to calculate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) according to FAO
standards. ETo represents the evapotranspiration rate from a reference
surface, not short of water. The
calculator.
THE STATE OF
WORLD FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE 2008
(FAO, 2009)
This UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report features some of
the aspects of fisheries and aquaculture that may receive increasing
attention, including: climate change; the use of marine genetic
resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction; and the proliferation
of private standards and certification schemes in the international fish
trade. This report also highlights a few of FAO's special studies, such
as the use of wild-fishery resources as seed and feed in aquaculture,
and reviews of the world's shrimp fisheries and of the management of
marine capture fisheries in the Pacific Ocean. The authors recommend
that existing responsible fishing practices be more widely implemented
and current management plans be expanded to include strategies for
coping with climate change. The
report.
PLANNING FOR A WATER SECURE FUTURE - LESSONS FROM
WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING IN AFRICA
(Global Water Partnership, December 2008)
This publication outlines the main observations and lessons learned from
the Global Water Partnership's activities in five African countries:
Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Senegal and Zambia, between 2003 and 2007. The
publication.
COPING WITH
WATER SCARCITY: WHAT ROLE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGIES?
(FAO, 2008)
This UN Food and Agriculture (FAO) discussion paper
represents the outputs from an e-mail conference hosted by the FAO
Biotechnology Forum from 5 March-1 April 2007. It provides an overview
of the current status and future perspectives regarding water
availability as well as a discussion of some major strategies that can
be employed to deal with water scarcity. The paper then looks at the
issue of water use in agriculture in more detail as well as some of the
potential ways in which biotechnology could contribute to this area. It
also contains a summary of the main issues discussed during the
moderated conference, based on the messages posted by the participants.
The
discussion paper.
AQUACROP
(FAO, 2009)
This UN Food and Agriculture (FAO)
crop-model simulates yield response to water of several
herbaceous crops. It is particularly suited to address conditions where
water is a key limiting factor in crop production.
AquaCrop.
GLOBAL STUDY OF SHRIMP FISHERIES
(FAO, 2008)
This UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) study reviews current
problems and solutions of shrimp fishing in ten selected countries:
Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Madagascar, Mexico, Nigeria,
Norway, Trinidad and Tobago and the US. It concludes that mechanisms,
instruments and models exist to enable effective mitigation of many of
the difficulties associated with shrimp fishing, taking a precautionary
and ecosystem approach to fisheries. In many countries, however, weak
agencies dealing with fisheries, lack of political will and inadequate
legal foundations cause failures in the management of shrimp fisheries.
The report makes specific recommendations in a few key areas: the
management of small-scale shrimp fisheries; capacity reduction; and
access to the fishery. The
report.
Freshwater Under Threat: South Asia
(UNEP and Asian Institute of Technology,
2009)
This report highlights, inter alia, the threat that climate
change poses to the freshwater supply of hundreds of millions of people.
It forecasts that, given the dependence on receding Himalayan glaciers,
climate change is likely to eventually lead to severe water shortages in
all of South Asia's water basins, and calls for urgent policy attention.
The
report.
GLACIER MASS BALANCE DATA 2006 AND 2007
(World Glacier Monitoring Service; 2009)
This last addition of the series "Fluctuations of Glaciers" was prepared
by the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), which continuously
publishes internationally collected, standardized data on changes in
glaciers throughout the world at five-yearly intervals. The publication
aims to reproduce a global set of data that: presents a general view of
the changes; encourages more extensive measurements; invites further
processing of the results; facilitates consultation of further sources;
and serves as a basis for research. The standardized data set is to
serve as a working tool for the scientific community, especially
concerning the fields of glaciology, climatology, hydrology and
quaternary geology. The
data set.
NATIONAL
AND REGIONAL NETWORKS OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS: A REVIEW OF PROGRESS
(UNEP-WCMC; 2008)
This report by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation
Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the UNEP Regional Seas Programme
explores national and regional efforts to develop representative
networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and offers recommendations
for strengthening the planning of such networks worldwide. This 156-page
report reviews 30 nations' networking initiatives, including progress
made and lessons learned. The
report.
THE
MANAGEMENT OF NATURA 2000 SITES IN THE GERMAN EEZ: SUMMARY AND ADVICE
DERIVED FROM THE RESULTS OF THE EMPAS PROJECT
(International Council for the Exploration of the Sea; 2008)
This report contains the advice and lessons derived from a project to
develop fisheries management plans for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in
the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea and Baltic
Sea. The three-year initiative, called the Environmentally Sound Fishery
Management in Protected Areas (EMPAS) project, analyzed conflicts
between nature conservation goals and fishing activities. It was
coordinated by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
(ICES) and was meant to serve as a pilot for the development of similar
plans throughout offshore EU waters. The
report.
ADDRESSING CHINA'S WATER SCARCITY: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SELECTED WATER
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ISSUES
(World Bank, January 2009)
This report commends China's leadership for its awareness of the
worsening water situation, and its commitment to transforming China into
a water-saving society. It aims to
provide an overview of China's water scarcity situation, assess the
policy and institutional requirements for addressing it, and recommend
key areas for strengthening and reform. Based on government
priorities, the report focuses on the following areas: water governance;
water rights; water pricing and affordability; watershed ecological
compensation mechanisms; water pollution control; and emergency
prevention. This report synthesizes the main findings and
recommendations from over 30 technical reports, case studies, and
background papers recently produced by the World Bank in these areas.
The
report.
BUILDING
AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO AQUACULTURE
(FAO, January 2009)
These UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) proceedings present the
output of an expert workshop organized by FAO and the University of the
Baleares from 7-11 May 2007, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. They include
contributed papers on definitions, principles, scales and management
measures, human dimensions, economic implications and legal implications
that are relevant for an ecosystem-based management in aquaculture. The
proceedings.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES OF THE UPPER
BLUE NILE RIVER BASIN, ETHIOPIA
(International Water Management Institute
Research Report 126, November 2008)
This report evaluates the impacts of climate change on
the hydrological regime and water resources of the Blue Nile River Basin
in Ethiopia. It starts from the construction of the climate change
scenarios based on the outcomes of several general circulation models,
uses a simple hydrological model to convert theses scenarios into
runoff, and examines the impacts by means of a set of indices. The
report.
If you
would like to submit details of
recently published documents and online resources,
send a message to
Diego Noguera, IISD
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