PRESENCE at the Ecosystem Services Partnership Conference

PRESENCE sets the example during the 4^th ESP conference “Ecosystem Services: integrating Science and Practice”.

The 4^th Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) conference was recently held in Wageningen, The Netherlands between the 4^th and 7^th of October 2011. The conference featured an exciting range of presentations, discussions, special sessions and a ‘success story’ of restoration. Discussions covered topics such as methodologies for valuation, quantification and modelling of ecosystem services. Interesting presentations were given about institutions for payment for ecosystem services, and whether or not valuation should precede incentive schemes/financing schemes. Statements such as ‘financing is more important than valuation’ indicated that members felt it was time to act on restoration activities.

The PRESENCE Network was given a 2 hour special session to present the whole process from how it all started to where it is today. Christo Marais of the Department of Environment Affairs, who is the head of operations for the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Programmes, set the scene by giving the background behind various NRM programmes. This clearly showed the context within which PRESENCE operates. Dieter van den Broeck followed with an introduction to the PRESENCE network, its approach, and how the U Theory has helped to guide and evaluate the process.

Alexander van Oudenhoven, a PhD student from Wageningen University who is using Baviaanskloof as one of his many case studies, summarised  the biophysical research that has been done so far. He is combining research findings from dozens of students in order to understand better how restoration can affect the provision and management of ecosystem services. This was followed by Odirilwe Selomane who presented the ecosystem services valuation work done in the area. Maura Andrew, a PhD student/researcher from Stellenbosch University, then highlighted some of the potential concerns around the development of a  Payment/Rewards for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme in the Baviaanskloof, and the need to ensure that the market is designed in a manner that produces the  desired social and environmental outcomes. Another Wageningen University PhD student, Jasper de Vries, reported on  the vital role of trust among stakeholders when working towards achieving living landscapes, and the importance of an approach in which there is room for exchanging ideas, open discussions, local ideas and flexibility.

What made our presence at the conference special was the fact that many presenters used the work of PRESENCE and Living Lands as an example of ecosystem restoration. Christo Marais not only gave two presentations during the conference, but also participated actively in the discussions throughout the special session. Moreover, about ten students who had done research in the Baviaanskloof, attended the session and were therefore able to provide us with their on the ground expertise. Finally, the keynote speakers and organisation of the conference were thanked for their contribution through a certificate: each one of them now is a proud contributor to the planting of 1000 spekboom, through the Elemental Equity fund.

During the poster session, we illustrate the process with a series of posters, as can be seen on the above picture.