Assessment objectives

Overall objective Contribute to strengthening the contribution of sustainable management of the environment and natural resources to poverty reduction, economic growth, to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Mali and the improving universal scientific knowledge. It also enables better understand the linkages between ecosystems and economic services and human well-being on the one hand and on the other hand, to understand the impact of political and strategic decisions on the environment. Specific objectives • Develop in the Mopti region links between poverty and environment in the context of sustainable development. • Provide national and local authorities and the population means of action on the sustainable management of ecosystems to fight against poverty in the region of Mopti. Serve as a plea for greater consideration of the dimension Poverty / Environment in the process of planning and budgeting for the development of the Mopti region and at national level. • Validate the point of scientific and technical applicability of the conceptual framework of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) at a sub-national and local levels with the necessary adaptations. • Strengthen understanding of the links between ecosystems and economic services and human well-being on the one hand and on the other, to understand the impact of political and strategic decisions on the environment.

Mandate for the assessment

Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA)

URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted

General methodological approach applied in the context of integrated ecosystem assessment of the Mopti region a) Approach "problem-oriented" Expectations of beneficiaries of integrated ecosystem assessment of the Mopti region can be summarized in hope to have the means of action to restore degraded ecosystems and strongly reduce the deep poverty in the region. Thus the integrated ecosystem assessment is intended as a process designed to produce practical solutions to guide the Government of Mali, the local authorities and people towards concrete actions that improve the lives of men and women the region; in close relation to the resources of nature, ecosystem health and quality of services they provide the same populations. It is for this reason that the designers of this integrated assessment have opted for a "problem-oriented" consisting from major problems characterizing the region to research and develop practical solutions. To better explain the links between ecosystem services and human wellbeing Netweaver software is used. b) Adaptation of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment model in the context of Mali The application of the Model Ecosystem Assessment of Millennium needs adaptation to the context of Mali. Thus the content of the components of the conceptual framework of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was reviewed in light of the socio-cultural context of Mali, better, in the region of Mopti. c. Development of best practices The integrated ecosystem assessment of the Mopti region being action-oriented, it came to highlight successful practices, both at local and regional levels in order to encourage others to adopt, provided that they are adapted to their respective environments. d. Assessment approach to multiscale nested The framing of integrated ecosystem assessment of the Mopti region of Mali has implemented, in terms of the scale of intervention, the multiscale approach nested. It was to consider and define a first level of assessment higher, and then associate an intermediate evaluation, itself linked to a final level of lowest valuation. And the highest level was identified within the administrative region of Mopti, the second level based on the ecosystem approach is composed of a flooded area and an area dewatered, and the lowest was been identified at the level of the municipality. e. An operational approach in four stages Implementation of integrated ecosystem assessment of the Mopti region took place in four basic steps are: (1) framing, (2) data collection, (3) data analysis and interpretation results, and (4) the preparation of the evaluation report. f. Remote Sensing The multidisciplinary team has used the interpretation of satellite images and aerial photographs to identify certain aspects of the integrated ecosystem assessment, including comparative studies designed to show the evolution of vegetation in general, and area of lands conservation and other forests in particular

System(s) assessed

• Forest and woodland
• Cultivated/Agricultural land
• Grassland

Species groups assessed

Groups of species assessed include: the woody and herbaceous vegetation, wildlife and fisheries resources such as fish.

Provisioning

• Food
• Water
• Genetic resources
• Medicinal resources
• Raw materials

Regulating

• Air quality
• Climate regulation
• Moderation of extreme events
• Regulation of water flows
• Waste treatment
• Erosion prevention
• Maintainence of soil fertility

Supporting Services/Functions

• Soil formation and fertility
• Primary production
• Life cycle maintenance

Cultural Services

• Recreation and tourism
• Inspiration for culture
• Art and design
• Spiritual experience

Drivers of change in systems and services

Yes

Impacts of change in services on human well-being

Yes

Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed

Yes

Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment

Yes

Year assessment started

2008

Year assessment finished

2009

If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish

Periodicity of assessment

One off

Website(s)

Report(s)

Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)

Journal publications

Training materials

Other documents/outputs

Tools and approaches used in the assessment

• Scenarios
• Economic valuation
• Social (non-monetary) valuation
• Ecosystem mapping
• Stakeholder consultations
• Response options

Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component

In the context of a participatory approach in all areas visited in the region, the multidisciplinary team has worked with local authorities and explaining the implications of such a study for the region and Mali. Also, various technical services, NGOs and communities in the area were approached to discuss issues related to the environment and poverty in the region.

Key stakeholder groups engaged

The parties involved include: Farmers groups, Breeders, foresters, NGOs and Technical Services

The number of people directly involved in the assessment process

100-1000

Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge

Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment

Assessment reports peer reviewed

No

Accessibility of data used in assessment

Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions

Extracts highlights of this report have been used for a presentation of the results of the study to local authorities and communities themselves in order to increase awareness on the need to ensure respect for the integrity of ecosystems and change behavior at the individual and collective At the national level, the Government has taken corrective action in the form of reform and innovation in environmental policy for the region of Mopti to encourage good practice and strengthen the fight against those who threaten the future of populations

Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment

No

Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews

Capacity building needs identified during the assessment

Training in: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment methodology and the integrated ecosystem approach.

Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity

How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders

Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment

How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders