Abstract
Interest in an ecological- or an ecosystem-centred approach to natural resource management is not new, and in the case of water management has been very well emphasised for many decades. Recently however, a new focus has emerged around the identification and assessment of ecosystem services, and the potential to somehow use valuation of these services as a basis for more effective management of natural and human-linked systems. Despite this growing recognition, attempts to apply such an approach to transboundary watercourses are few and far between. While key principles of international water law, for example, equitable and reasonable utilisation, are not in conflict with an ecosystem services approach; significant challenges remain in its implementation. However, as the methods and tools used to identify ecosystem services improve, it is likely that such an approach will offer an important means by which to reconcile competing interests over shared watercourses in the future.KEYWORDS: Ecosystem services; International water law; Trans-boundary watercourses; Reasonable and equitable use of water; Natural resource management
Highlights
Interest in an ecological- or an ecosystem-centred approach to natural resource management is not new, and in the case of water management has been very well emphasised for many decades
UN-Water – a body established to coordinate all UN Activities related to water – estimates that 158 of the world’s 263 international freshwaters lack any type of cooperative management framework, and many others do not have the necessary mechanisms in place to cope with existing and future challenges, such as climate change, population growth, and food and energy security.[20]
125 Whilst not dealing with ecosystem services, like other studies this study focuses on an iterative approach whereby transboundary diagnostic analysis, data collection, modelling and scenario planning are shared with stakeholders prior to implementation
Summary
Interest in an ecological- or an ecosystem-centred approach to natural resource management is not new, and in the case of water management has been very well emphasised for many decades. UN-Water – a body established to coordinate all UN Activities related to water – estimates that 158 of the world’s 263 international freshwaters lack any type of cooperative management framework, and many others do not have the necessary mechanisms in place to cope with existing and future challenges, such as climate change, population growth, and food and energy security.[20]. Within this context, the purpose of this paper is to explore the linkages between the recently emerging paradigm of ecosystem services and international water law.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
