ANNOUNCEMENTS
Freshwater ecosystems are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems against rising anthropogenic threats of habitat loss and degradation. This threatens the myriad of ecosystem services that these ecosystems provide to sustain human wellbeing. The restoration and conservation of biodiversity in these areas is of prime importance in order to halt the decline of ecosystem functioning, The proposed study is set in the Upper Bhima Basin of Maharashtra, with the motive of driving forward the discourse on freshwater conservation planning in the region through an ecosystem-based approach. It attempts to do so by bringing to fore the interlinkages between biodiversity components and the flow of ecosystem services. These linkages are further extended to qualitatively and quantitively assess the flow of chosen ecosystem services along with highlighting conservation needs through Bayesian Belief Networks. The use of biophysical indicators to report the distribution of prioritised services is also explored, which can help monitor, evaluate and learn from conservation efforts geared towards protecting key ecological components/processes.
Predictions from this study indicate improvement of the overall delivery of freshwater ecosystem services under a scenario wherein a basin-wide incentive based conservation plan is implemented. Bayesian Belief Network, in the this method acts a decision tool that can assist in shaping regional conservation plans and related policies.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Bayesian Belief Network, Upper Bhima Basin, Incentive Based Conservation Mechanism, Ecosystem Service.
