In each case, the net benefits from the more sustainably managed ecosystem are greater than those from the converted ecosystem, even though the private (market) benefits would be greater from the converted ecosystem.

Wetlands are widely distributed in the Arctic, covering about 70% of the region. Of the six Ramsar wetland types represented, the most extensive are forested and non-forested peatlands. Peatlands are wetlands where organic matter (peat) derived from dead and decaying plant material has accumulated and remains stored under conditions of permanent water saturation. Those which still have peat-forming vegetation are known as mires, and can be divide...

From the start, the income in the project sites have increased continously through the community management of the wetland areas. In addition, activities such as micro-credit support to reduce the depenency on the wetlands have created other income sources, such as farming and small businesses.

South Africa is blessed with a rich abundance of biodiversity and a wide range of ecosystems and biomes. Among them are the wetland ecosystems, which occupy approximately seven per cent of South Africa’s total land area. Wetlands are regarded as one of the most productive ecosystems because of all the ecosystem services they provide. But the country’s wetlands are under pressure from both natural and human threats and approximately sixty per cen...

The Working for the Environment programmes (water, fire, wetland, coast) are all supported by important national environmental legislation including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, the Disaster Management Act, the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, and the National Environment Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act.