Nature-based solutions for agricultural water management and food security (WEBINAR)

1. Nature-based solutions (NBS) for agricultural
water management and food security
Scaling-up Adaptation in the Agricultural Sectors (SAAS) series

2. Scaling-up Adaptation in the Agricultural Sectors (SAAS) series
Scaling up Adaptation in the Agricultural Sectors
(SAAS) Webinar Series
■ Webinar 1: Introduction to ecosystem-based adaptation in the
agricultural sectors: Context, approaches and lessons learned
■ Webinar 2: Methods and tools to support the implementation
of ecosystem-based adaptation in the agricultural sectors
■ Webinar 3: Ecosystem-based Adaptation and National
Adaptation Planning: Opportunities for the Agricultural
Sectors
■ Webinar 4: Opportunities for Ecosystem-based adaptation in
coastal and marine ecosystems
■ Webinar 5: Nature-based solutions (NBS) for agricultural
water management and food security
■ Ongoing….
For more information: www.fao.org/in-action/kore/webinar-archive/webinar-
details/en/c/1105466/

3. Scaling-up Adaptation in the Agricultural Sectors (SAAS) series
Webinar Focus Questions
■ What are the approaches, tools and methods in place to promote the
implementation and scaling up of nature-based solutions (NBS) in agricultural
water management?
■ What are the lessons learned and good practices available from the past and
ongoing experiences?
■ What are the opportunities and challenges for scaling-up and integrating
nature-based solutions into planning processes targeting climate change
adaptation in general and ecosystem-based adaptation in particular in the
agricultural sectors?

4. Scaling-up Adaptation in the Agricultural Sectors (SAAS) series
Agenda
FAO discussion paper: Nature-Based Solutions at the service of agricultural water management and food security
Ben Sonneveld , Senior Researcher, Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies/Athena Institute and Amani Alfarra, Land and Water Officer, FAO
Nature-based Solutions for Agricultural Water Management – Key-findings of the UN World Water Development Report
Prof. Stefan Uhlenbrook, Coordinator and Director, UN World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP, UNESCO programme)
Key messages from the Convention on Biological Diversity on nature-based solutions for water and agriculture
Dr. Harry David Cooper, Deputy Executive Secretary, CBD
Nature-based solutions for water and agriculture - guidance under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Ms. Lisa Janishevski is Programme Officer for Biodiversity and Climate Change, CBD
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS): Wasabi cultivation system in Japan
Hiroyuki Ono is an Associate Professional Office, GIAS
Q&A
Summary and closing remarks

5. Nature-Based Solutions at the service of
agricultural water management & food security
Amani Alfarra, Ph.D.
Water Resource Officer
Land and Water Division
Climate, Bio diversity Land and Water Department
June 28, 2018
FAO Discussion Paper

6. Why NBS in agricultural water management?
6
• FAO discussion paper analyzes NBS in the agricultural water management sector;
• Demand for food will increase exponentially and climate change is expected to
increase; and
• Alternative solutions are needed: NBS can contribute to enhancing water quality and
availability.

7. Global Water Demand

8. Agricultural Water Demand
Source: Adapted from
www.ceres.org/FoodWaterRisk
That leaves 30 %
for everything
else:
- Domestic
- Industries
- Electricity
- Environment
Agriculture
is responsible for an average
of
70 %
of water
withdrawals from surface
and groundwater sources
worldwide

9. Water scarcity: a global issue
4 billion people (66% of all people) lives under
severe water scarcity for at least 1 month of the
year. It affects all regions of the world
Source: Mekonnen & Hoekstra, Univ. Twente, Feb
2016
Share of agricultural water demand over total water demand.
Source: FAO, Land and Water Division, 2018.

10. What is NBS?
10
• In principle, NBS mimics natural processes and builds on fully operational water-land
management concepts that aim to simultaneously improve water availability and
quality and raise agricultural productivity;
• No straightforward distinction between NBS and other human induced management of
ecosystem services.
• More than one definition and interpretation of NBS exists;

11. Definitions
 Ecohydrology is defined as an integrative science that focuses on the interaction between hydrology and biota. It aims at reinforcing ecosystem services in modified
landscapes while reducing anthropogenic effects. It utilizes the watershed as a basic unit for planning and incorporates the concept of improved ecosystem resilience
as a management tool. Ecohydrology accentuates the importance of the incorporation of eco-tecnological measures that complement standard engineering
approaches.
 The Ecosystem Approach is a conceptual framework for resolving ecosystem issues, adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity. This approach focuses on
the integrated management of land, water and living resources with the aim of promoting the conservation and sustainable use in an equitable manner. It
encompasses the application of adequate scientific methodologies specific to biological organization including its essential processes, functions and interactions
among organisms and their environment. In addition, it embodies the human aspect thus considering human diversity as an integral component of the ecosystem.
 The Wise Use of Wetlands has been defined by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the
implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”.
 Ecosystem-Based management focus on the conservation, sustainable management and restoration of ecosystems. This approach recognizes the vast array of
interactions within an ecosystem, involving humans. It considers resource trade-offs to protect and sustain diverse and productive ecosystems and services they
provide.
 Environmental Flows consider the management of the quantity, timing, and quality of water flows below a dam, with the aim of sustaining freshwater and estuarine
ecosystems and the human livelihoods that depend on them. Green Infrastructure is a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas that are
specifically designed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services from water purification to climate change to recreation. These spaces provides opportunities for
green jobs and enhance biodiversity.
 Green infrastructure provide environmental, economic and social benefits through natural solutions and help reduce the dependence on grey infrastructure.
 Ecological Engineering is defined as the design of ecosystems for the mutual benefit of humans and nature. It involves the restoration of ecosystems that have been
disturbed by human activities and the development of new sustainable ecosystems comprising both human and ecological values.
 Agroecology has been defined as “the application of ecological science to the study, design and management of sustainable agriculture”. Its objective is to create
diversified agroecosystems that mimic natural systems as closely as possible to enhance sustainable production and self-reliance.
 Ecosystem Services are “the benefits obtained from ecosystems” and generally categorized as: 1) Provisioning services, 2) Regulating services, 3) Habitat services,
4) Cultural and amenity services. Agriculture relies on critical ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control and soil fertility to produce provisioning services
(e.g. food, fibre and fuel), and can also contribute to regulating ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water purification.
 Payment for Ecosystem Services is a tool for achieving ecosystem conservation while improving the livelihoods of farmers as environmental service providers.
 Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems: are landscapes formed through a remarkable process of coevolution of humankind and nature, they combine
agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems and a valuable cultural heritage. Moreover, they sustainably provide multiple goods and services, food and livelihood
security for millions of small-scale farmers. These sites have emerged over centuries of cultural and biological interactions and synergies, representing the
accumulated experiences of rural people. Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) is an approach that uses biodiversity and ecosystem services as an entry point for the
development of overall adaptation strategies to climate change. The Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) in agricultural sectors includes the sustainable management,
conservation and restoration of agriculture, forestry and fishery related ecosystems to provide services that help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate
change.
 Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) can be cost effective, generate social, economic and cultural co-benefits, and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity,
overall ecosystem health and sustainable natural resources management. Ecosystems either aquatic, inland, coastal and marine provide humans with resources for
recreation, food and livelihoods. They perform environmental functions that contribute to human well-being.

12. Is NBS – a new paradigm for water
management ?

13. Types of NBS
13
NBS TYPOLOGY
Type 1 No or minimal intervention in ecosystems; maintains or improves delivery of eco-services of preserved
ecosystems. This NBS incorporates areas where people live and work in a sustainable way including
nature conservation and national parks.
Type 2 Interventions that develop sustainable and multi-functional ecosystems and landscapes that improve
delivery of selected eco-services. This type of NBS is strongly connected to benefitting from natural
systems agriculture and conserving the agro-ecology.
Type 3 Manages ecosystems in intrusive ways and includes full restoration of degraded or polluted areas using
grey infrastructures.

14. 14
Things to consider
• Typologies are not static but dynamic representation;
• Many NBS examples cover more than one typology;
• NBS term also recognizes the value of regulations and customary laws of indigenous
people.

15. NBS and the SDGS

16. 16
Conclusions
• We are not claiming that NBS is the panacea but it can be an important contribution to
upcoming water resources challenges in the agriculture sector;
• Case studies assessed confirmed that there are certain requirements to be met for an
NBS-type intervention to be successful (i.e. collective action, stakeholder involvement,
creating and organizing funds, institutional collaboration);
• NBS require investments and studies show that NBS-interventions are economically
feasible and efficient;
• Valuation of ecosystem services is sometimes difficult and incomplete.

17. 17
What are your thoughts on NBS in
agricultural water management?

18. 18
THANK YOU!

19. NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS SEEM TO
PROVIDE THE ULTIMATE ANSWER FOR A
SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
bensonneveld

20. BUT….WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT
NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS THAT SERVE
WATER MANAGEMENT??

21. THE ANSWER IS THAT
- IT IS DIFFICULT TO PROTECT ECOSYSTEMS
FROM UNPAID USE (WE DO NOT PAY FOR
ECO-SERVICES)
- WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO ORGANIZE NSB
INTERVENTIONS IN PUBLIC SPACE

22. WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT NATURE
BASED SOLUTIONS FOR WATER MANAGEMENT?
Ben Sonneveld
Senior Researcher
Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies
VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands

23.  The need for NBS
 Why is it difficult to implement NBS
 NBS policies
 Findings of case studies
 A road map for NBS interventions
PRESENTATION

24.  Rising demand for food
 More affluent societies demand water rights
 Destruction of ecosystems by conventional water management
interventions
 NBS water management interventions preserve integrity of ecosystems
(sustainability)
 Cost efficiency considerations
The need for NBS in water management

25.  Characteristics of ecosystems relate to non-
excludability issues in water management:
 Lumpy indivisible water bodies (aquifers, inland waters)
 Distributed water flows require ample space
 Interconnectedness makes all places equal
 No ‘closing down’ if unprofitable
 Difficult to protect from unpaid use
Why is it difficult to implement NBS?

26.  Consequences of non-excludability
 Unpaid use of ecosystem services
 No price signals of scarcity
 Inadequate pricing results in:
 Free rider’s behaviour (‘Tragedy of the Commons’)
 No incentive for production of eco-services
 No role for ecosystem custodians
Why is it difficult to implement NBS?

27.  Strict conservationism
monitoring costly
 Monetizing eco-services
 Production function analyses/Defensive expenditures
Process knowledge/empirical basis
 Surrogate markets (hedonic pricing; travel cost)
Confounding factors
 Contingent valuation (Willingness To Pay)
What does she/ he really wants to pay?
 Distribution of property rights
Eco-services can not be partitioned
Policies to deal with excludability

28.  Characteristics of these shared eco-systems are
now better understood
 Elinor Ostrom (Noble prize winner) shows that
well functioning institutions are a proper answer
to management of shared ecosystems.
(reward good stewardship, penalize neglect, and
sustain transfer to next generations).
 Which other elements are essential in this process?
Policies to deal with excludability

29.  Study on NBS for water management commissioned by FAO analyzed
21 case studies
 Factors considered in our evaluation are:
 Characteristics
 Country/region/ecosystem/farming system
 identification of stakeholders and beneficiaries,
 prevailing degradation process,
 typology of NBS intervention
 Qualification assessment
 stakeholder involvement,
 degree of transdisciplinarity,
 rewarding schemes for custodians,
 stability of institutional collaboration and
 success or failure of the NBS.
21 case studies

30. Rubrics for NBS evaluation
Code Transdisciplinarity Rewarding custodians Institutional
collaboration
Success/failure
-- Absence of transdisciplinary approach Absence of rewarding schemes No collaboration Social and ecological NBS
objectives were not achieved
- Transdisciplinary approach present
but implementation unsuccessful
Presence of rewarding
schemes but unsuccessful
implementation
Some collaboration Either social or ecological
NBS objective was achieved
-+ Transdiscipline approach present with
some results
Rewarding schemes present
with some results
Collaboration established
with minor results
Part of the social and
ecological NBS objectives
were achieved
+ Transdiscipline approach successful;
clear involvement of transcendence
stakeholder
Rewarding schemes successful;
payments assure NBS
objectives
Collaboration successful;
alignment of activities
Social and ecological NBS
objectives were achieved
successfully
++ Transdiscipline approach very
successful; stakeholders of
transcendent disciplines fully
participate in NBS process from
design to implementation
rewarding schemes very
successful; payments assure
NBS objectives and encourage
other PES initiatives
Collaboration very
successful; alignment of
activities and
establishment of
sustainable relationships
Social and ecological NBS
objectives were achieved
successfully and mutually
strengthened each other

31. . Using compost pits in Nepal
Examples from the 21 case studies
Main characteristics: Success, type 2
Groundwater management in Aweil East,
Sudan
Main characteristics: Failure, type 1

32. Example of the Inventory of case studies
Name Country Ecosyst
em
Initiator/funding Stakeholders Beneficiarie
s
Degradatio
n process
NBS NBS
typolog
y
Trans-
disciplinarity
*
Rewarding
custodians
Institut
ional
collabo
ration
Succes
s/failur
e **
C1.Baviaanskloof/Ts
itsikamma and
uMngeni
catchments
South
Africa
Watersh
ed
Development
Bank, NGO’s
Governmental
national/local
Municipalities,
NGO’s, provincial
government
researchers,
farmers
Urban water
consumers
Overgrazing Restoring thicket 1 +- -- -- +
C2. Izta-Popo Mexico Land Private company Private
company/urban
population/land
users
Private
company/
urban
population
Illegal
logging,
livestock
grazing, fires
Reforestation/
infrastructure (pits
and banks
2/3 + + -- ++
C3. Saye River bank
failure
Nigeria River State Communities/far
mers
Communities
/farmers
River bank
erosion
Civil engineering
structures
3 - - - -
C 4. Athi River
Kaiti,/Muuoni and
Kikuu rivers
Kenya Watersh
ed
NGO’s and local
communities
NGO’s and local
communities
Local
communities
Water
scarcity and
drought
Water harvesting
technique (sand
bars)/agroecology
2 + -- -- +
C 5. Water fund for
catchment
management
Ecuador Watersh
ed
NGO’s, private
companies, state
NGO’s, private
companies, state,
farmers
Urban
population/
farmers
Deforestatio
n
Conservation
techniques
1/2 +- + ++ ++
C 6. Pangani River
Basin II
Tanzania River
basin
Colonial gov. /
national
government
Rural/urban
population
Rural/urban
population
Watershed
degradation
hydropower
plant/dam
3 - - - -
C 6 Pangani River
Basin I
Tanzania River
basin
national
government/
JICA
Farmers Low
irrigation
efficiency
Irrigation Project 2 - - -+ -+
C 8. Ruvu
watershed
Tanzania Watersh
ed
NGO’s Upstream
communities,
private
companies
industry, urban
/rural population
Local
communities
, companies,
urban
population
and industry
River
sedimentatio
n
Restoration of
rivers through
adoption of agro-
ecological
practices.
2 ++ -- - ++
C 9. Lempa River El
Salvador
Watersh
ed
FAO and GEF Local
communities and
government staff
in selected
municipalities
Local
communities
and selected
officials in
municipality
Soil
degradation
Integrated natural
resources
management/
rainwater
collection
2 ++ - ++ ++

33.  Success related to:
 full stakeholder involvement (inter- and transdisciplinary platforms)
 restoration activities that cover large areas
 implementation of ad hoc funding and payment schemes
 endurance of stakeholders; long time lapses are needed
… we also found that
 tedious exercises of natural resource valuation are omitted
21 case studies

34.  The aim of a road map for NBS interventions is to
create a productive stakeholder engagement that
balances interests of resource users against quality
and sustainability of the ecosystem.
A road map for NBS interventions

35.  Stakeholder/Actor identification
 Inter- and transdisciplinary participatory platforms
 Development of Decision Support Tools:
 Detail monetary and ecological costs and benefits
 Explicitly map and analyze conflict of interests
 System (non-modular) model structure
 Retention of subsidiarity principle
 Rewarding good custodianships/penalize neglect
 Implementation of conflict resolutions mechanisms
 Endurance: lasting positive effects of well-designed NBS
interventions outweigh quick wins based on ignorance
A road map for NBS interventions

36. Nature-Based
Solutions for Water
Working with nature to improve the management of water
resources, achieve water security for all, and contribute to
core aspects of sustainable development
Stefan Uhlenbrook, Rick Connor, Engin Koncagul, David Coates
UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)
28 June 2018
Webinar organised by FAO

38. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are inspired and
supported by nature and use, or mimic, natural
processes to cost effectively contribute to the
improved management of water. The defining
feature is not whether an ecosystem being used
is “natural” but whether natural processes are
being proactively managed to achieve a water-
related objective. A NBS uses ecosystem services
to contribute to a water management outcome. A
NBS can involve conserving or rehabilitating
natural ecosystems and/or the enhancement or
creation of natural processes in modified or
artificial ecosystems.
What do we mean
by nature-based
solutions (NBS)
for water?

39. PART ONE
Ecosystems and the water cycle

40. Ecological processes driven
by climate, vegetation and
soils in forests, grasslands,
wetlands, as well as in
agricultural and urban
landscapes, play a major role
in the movement, storage
and transformation of water
The relationship
between ecosystems
and the water cycle

41. Evaporation from the vegetation and
soils from terrestrial ecosystems can
be a very important source of
precipitation for other areas
The relationship
between ecosystems
and the water cycle
Source: Van der Ent et al., 2014
Tekleabetal.2015

42. Since the year 1900, an estimated
64–71% of the natural wetland area
worldwide has been lost due to
human activity.
Although about 30% of the global land
remains forested, at least two thirds
of this area are in a degraded state.
The world’s
ecosystems:
Increasing degradation

43. PART TWO
NBS for meeting water management objectives

44. NBS mainly address
water supply through
managing precipitation,
humidity and storage,
including soil
infiltration and
groundwater recharge
NBS for
improving water
availability

45. It has been estimated that
global crop production could
be increased by nearly 20%
as a result of on-farm soil and
water management practices
in rain-fed agriculture alone
(e.g., improved water
harvesting through modifying
tillage regimes or mulching)
NBS for improving
water availability for
agriculture

46. Urban green infrastructure,
including green buildings, is
an emerging phenomenon
that is establishing new
benchmarks and technical
standards that embrace
many NBS
NBS for improving
water availability in
urban settlements

47. Non-point (diffuse) source
pollution from agriculture,
notably nutrients, remains a
critical problem worldwide,
including in developed
countries. It is also the one
most amenable to NBS.
NBS for
improving
water quality

48. NBS, like grey infrastructure,
have limits: They are not a
panacea and must be evaluated
and deployed based on locally
specific conditions
NBS for
improving water
quality - LIMITS

49. In 2009 the Netherlands initiated their
‘Room for the River’ programme. With a
budget of €2.5 billion, the programme
was designed to restore the natural
floodplains of rivers (an NBS) along
certain non-vulnerable stretches,
diverting rivers and creating water
storage areas, in order to protect the
most developed riparian areas. The
restored wetlands both provide
additional storage and safeguarded
biodiversity, while enhancing aesthetic
and recreational opportunities.
NBS for reducing risks
to water-related
extreme events
(floods and droughts)

50. Effect of different NBS interventions on flood peak reduction (left)
and combined effect of basin-wide interventions with flood magnitude (right)

51. PART THREE
The untapped potential for NBS

52. Evidence suggests that,
worldwide, green infrastructure
only accounts for less than 5%
of the total investment in
water-related infrastructure
and even less when compared
to the overall expenditure in
water resources management
Current trends in
investing in NBS

53. The ‘Green’ vs. ‘Grey’
debate
The goal is to find the most
appropriate blend of green
and grey infrastructure to
maximize benefits and system
efficiency while minimizing
costs and trade-offs
Source: Acreman, 2011

54. The substantial value
of social, economic
and environmental
co-benefits can tip
investment decisions
in favour of NBS
Co-benefits
of NBS

55. NBS for water have
high potential to
contribute to the
achievement other
SDGs and targets of
the 2030 Agenda
Supporting the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development

56. PART FOUR
Making it happen: accelerating the uptake of NBS

57. NBS do not necessarily
require additional financial
resources but usually
involve redirecting and
making more effective use
of existing financing
Leveraging
financing

58. Investments in watershed
protection have ended up saving
New York City more than
US$300 million per year on
water treatment operation and
maintenance costs alone
Leveraging financing –
Payment for
Environmental Services

59. Peru’s Compensation
Mechanisms for Ecosystem
Services Law of 2014 is the
first national-level regulatory
framework specific for green
infrastructure investment in
the drinking water supply
and sanitation sector in
Latin America
Enabling the
regulatory and
legal environment

60. NBS can require greater levels of
cross-sectoral and institutional
collaboration than grey-
infrastructure approaches. This can
bring groups of stakeholders
together under a common agenda.
Improving
cross-sectoral
collaboration and
public participation

61. Traditional or local-community
knowledge of ecosystem
functioning and the nature–
society interaction can be a
significant asset
Improving the
knowledge base

62. Working with nature to improve the
management of water resources, achieve water
security for all, and contribute to core aspects of
sustainable development
Thank you
Download the report at:
www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr
More info at:
www.unesco.org/water/wwap
Feel free to contact me:
Stefan Uhlenbrook, s.uhlenbrook@unesco.org

63. Nature-based solutions for water and agriculture -
guidance under the Convention on Biological Diversity
Lisa Janishevski
CBD Secretariat
© V. Lo

64. Azote/SRC 2016

65. Development
goals
Climate
impacts
Adaptation
strategies
Aichi Biodiversity
Targets
Drought
Pests & diseases
Drought
Seawater intrusion
Flooding
Diverse crop
varieties
Sustainable
agriculture
Agro forestry
IWRM
Water demand
management
Water tanks
https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/

66. What are EbA and Eco-DRR?
Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation (EbA):
EbA is “the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an
overall adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects
of climate change.”
- CBD Technical Series (2009)
Ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR):
Eco-DRR is the “sustainable management, conservation and restoration
of ecosystems to reduce disaster risk, with the aim to achieve
sustainable and resilient development.”
- Estrella and Saalismaa 2013

67. EbA and Eco-DRR overlap in
practice,
Both use approaches that
already exist in biodiversity and
ecosystem conservation,
climate change adaptation and
livelihood development.
What are EbA and Eco-DRR?
Midgley et al. 2012

68. Climate
change is
a “hunger-
risk
multiplier”
UNICEF Nepal/2017/SJThapa
Agriculture and climate
change

69. Benefits of ecosystem
based approaches in
agriculture

70. Examples
• Shade trees in coffee systems
• Use of live barriers, crop covers and other soil
conservation techniques
• Use of fallow to restore soil fertility
• Crop diversification to reduce risk of crop loss due to
climate change
• Conservation and/or restoration of forests and
riparian areas to improve water provisioning and
prevent soil erosion from increased heavy rainfall
Panorama database: Farmer at a fenced eroded area in
Azerbaijan © IBiS, GIZ
https://panorama.solutions/en/portal/ecosystem-based-adaptation

71. A few lessons…
• Establish political commitment for integrated approaches
• Improve cooperation among ecosystems/biodiversity, adaptation, development and disaster reduction
communities
• Scale up knowledge-sharing across levels and disciplines and make use of knowledge-sharing
platforms
• Recognize the limitations of using EbA or eco-DRR; ecosystems are subject to climate change impacts.

72. Making it happen
Financial, political and technical constraints limit widespread adoption of EbA practices at scale.
• Policymakers should integrate ecosystem based approaches into the agriculture sector.
Include EbA, when applicable, into:
• National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
• Regional and local adaptation programs and initiatives targeting farmers
• Incorporate improvement of agricultural biodiversity, and biodiversity on farms, into
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans
• Redirect current funding, innovative funding, consider PES
• Improve knowledge, incorporate traditional knowledge

73. Guidance & tools under
CBD – working with IPLCs
• The Akwé: Kon Voluntary Guidelines for the Conduct of Cultural, Environmental and Social Impact
Assessment regarding Developments Proposed to Take Place on, or which are Likely to Impact on, Sacred
Sites and on Lands and Waters Traditionally Occupied or Used by Indigenous and Local Communities
(CBD decision VII/16)
• The Tkarihwaié:ri Code of Ethical Conduct to Ensure Respect for the Cultural and Intellectual Heritage of
Indigenous and Local Communities Relevant to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological
Diversity (CBD decision X/42)

74. Guidance & tools under
CBD
• Voluntary guidelines on the effective design and implementation of ecosystem based adaptation
and disaster risk reduction (CBD/SBSTTA/22/8 and information document CBD/SBSTTA/INF/1)
• Primer for policymakers
• Stepwise process matched with tools
• Principles
• Safeguards
• Overarching considerations
• 7 advocacy briefs for EbA and eco DRR into sectors including agriculture
and water
https://www.cbd.int/meetings/SBSTTA-22

75. Guidance & tools under
CBD
Short term action plan on ecosystem restoration (XIII/5)
• Principles, Key activities, Support
• Guidance for integrating biodiversity considerations into ecosystem restoration:
• address the drivers of loss
• prioritize conservation
• avoid afforestation of grasslands/low tree cover
• take into account ecosystem function/services
• restore habitats to recover/support species
• natural regeneration
• use native site-adapted species
• adopt landscape perspective
• prevent/eradicate invasive alien species
https://www.cbd.int/decisions/cop/cop-13

76. Technical Series under
CBD
• Interlinkages between biological diversity and climate change. Advice on the integration of
biodiversity considerations into the implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto protocol
(CBD TS 10)
• Connecting Biodiversity and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Report of the
Second Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change (CBD TS 41)
• Synthesis report on experiences with ecosystem-based approaches to climate change
adaptation and disaster risk reduction (CBD TS 85)
https://www.cbd.int/ts/

77. Thank you for your attention!
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
413 Saint Jacques Street, Suite 800
Montreal, QC, H2Y 1N9, Canada
Tel: +1 514 288 2220
Fax: + 1 514 288 6588
Email: secretariat@cbd.int
www.cbd.int

78. GLOBALLY IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL
HERITAGE SYSTEMS VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXtd0xfZupQ
&feature=youtu.be

79. CASE STUDY FROM THE
“GLOBALLY IMPORTANT
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE
SYSTEMS (GIAHS)”
FOR NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
Hiroyuki Ono, Associate Professional Officer,
GIAHS Secretariat

80. What is GIAHS?
Definition:
Remarkable land use systems and landscapes
which are rich in globally significant biological diversity
evolving from the co-adaptation of a community with its
environment and its needs and aspirations for
sustainable development
Longji Rice Terraces, China

81. How have GIAHS been created?
・Fragile ecosystem ・Extreme climate conditions
・Limited natural resources ・Geographic isolation
Disadvantaged conditions
Remarkable and Unique Agricultural Systems
With Global Importance =GIAHS
Farmers effort
・Attempt for overcoming these difficulties
・Wisdom for skillful use of resources

82. GIAHS Selection Criteria and Action Plan
Global importance
- Historical relevance - Contemporary relevance
1. Food and livelihood security 2. Agro-biodiversity
3. Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems
4. Cultures, value systems and social organizations
5. Landscapes and Seascapes Features
Action Plan for
Dynamic
Conservation*
5 Criteria
* Dynamic Conservation is activities for conservation without changing the essence
of the GIAHS site

83. Designated sites in the World
50 GIAHS sites in 20 countriesSince launched in 2002….

84. Japanese GIAHS as Nature-Based Solutions
Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) cultivation
in an area with heavy rainfall disasters

85. But what is wasabi?
Introduction of Wasabi (Eutrema
japonicum)
- Sharp taste
- Used as a condiment mainly
for sushi and sashimi

86. Japanese GIAHS as Nature-Based Solutions
Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) cultivation
in an area with heavy rainfall disasters
Wasabi requires:
- Stable water temperature (8-18℃)
- Cool and shady place
- Clean and abundant water

87. Traditional technique for optimal production
• Supplied year-round
with cool and oxygen
rich water
• Impurities filtered out
by the layers of soil,
pebble and rocks
→ Stable production
→ Prevent illness

88. Resilience against natural disasters
Prevent floods by:
• Storing water in the layers
• Slowing down water flow
Prevent landslides by:
• Creating terraces
Water flow through the wasabi
fields

89. Role of surrounding forest against natural disasters
• Storing a large amount of water
• Adjusting the amount of water
released to the field
• Filtering water
Forest surrounding wasabi fields
• Stable supply of water
• Clean water
• Constant water temperature

90. Contributing to biodiversity
• Slow down the flow of water
→ Increase biodiversity
• Rarely uses fertilizers because
water contains nutrients
provided by forest soil
→ Little burden on environmentWater flow through the wasabi
fields

91. Lessons learned and good practice
• Maximizing the use of natural resources
• Slopes, cold spring water, rocks, surrounding forests
• For better production, taking advantage of a large amount of
rainfall, which often causes natural disasters
• Production method resilient to natural disasters

92. Opportunities and challenges
Opportunities….
• Even in disadvantaged areas, it is possible to produce high quality
products by utilizing local and traditional knowledge
Challenges….
• Costly compared to conventional method
• Fewer people willing to keep traditional way of farming

93. Thank you for your attention!