HarvestPlus by Meike S Andersson
Past research developed reliable equations to base selections for high β-carotene on nearinfrared... more Past research developed reliable equations to base selections for high β-carotene on nearinfrared spectroscopy (NIR) predictions (100 genotypes d⁻¹) rather than with high-perfor-mance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (<10 samples d⁻¹). During recent harvest, CIAT made selections based on NIR predictions for the first time. This innovation produced valuable information that will help other cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) breeding programs. A total of 284 samples were analyzed with NIR and HPLC for total β-carotene (TBC) and by the oven method for dry matter content (DMC). Results indicated that NIR reliably predicted TBC and DMC. In addition, 232 genotypes grown in preliminary yield trials (PYTs) were harvested at 8.5 and 10.5 mo after planting (one plant per genotype and age) and root quality traits analyzed (by NIR only). Repeatability of results at the two ages was excellent, suggesting reliable results from NIR. In contrast to previous reports, age of the plant did not influence carotenoids content in the roots. The availability of a high-throughput NIR protocol allowed comparing results (for the first time) from seedling and cloned plants from the same genotype. Results showed very little relationship for DMC between seedling and cloned plants (R² = 0.09). There was a much better association for TBC (R² = 0.48) between seedling and cloned plants. It is postulated that variation in the environmental conditions when seedling and cloned plants (from the same gen-otype) may be responsible for these weak associations. Important changes in selection strategies have been implemented to overcome problems related to a lengthy harvesting season.
Reference Module in Food Science, 2016
Biofortification, the process of breeding nutrients into food crops, is a cost-effective, feasibl... more Biofortification, the process of breeding nutrients into food crops, is a cost-effective, feasible means of delivering micronutrients to populations who may have limited access to diverse diets, supplements, or commercially fortified foods. Crops bred for higher levels of micronutrients using conventional breeding methods have been released in several countries, and are now being grown and eaten by farmers and consumers. The results of efficacy and effectiveness studies, as well as consumer acceptance studies, provide evidence that biofortification works. This article highlights recent research findings and progress toward scaling up biofortification to new countries and environments.
Crop biofortification is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to address malnutrition in dev... more Crop biofortification is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to address malnutrition in developing countries. This review synthesizes the progress toward developing seed micronutrient-dense cereals and legumes cultivars by exploiting natural genetic variation using conventional breeding and/or transgenic technology, and discusses the associated issues to strengthen crop biofortification research and development. Some major QTL for seed iron and zinc, seed phosphorus, and seed phytate in common bean, rice, and wheat have been mapped. An iron reductase QTL associated with seed-iron QTL is found in common bean where the genes coding for candidate enzymes involved in phytic acid synthesis have also been mapped. Candidate genes for lpa cosegregate with mutant phenotypes identified in rice and soybean. The Gpc-B1 locus in wild emmer wheat accelerates senescence and increases nutrient remobilization from leaves to developing seeds, and another gene named TtNAM-B1 affecting these traits has been cloned. Seed iron-dense common bean and rice in Latin America; seed iron-dense common bean in eastern and southern Africa; seed iron-dense rice in the Philippines; and b-carotene-rich sweet potato in Latin America have been released for cultivation, with more nutritionally enhanced lines in pipeline for release, mostly in developing countries. Exceptionally large variations in b-carotene have been reported in temperate maize germplasm, which have been transferred into tropical maize hybrids, being evaluated prior to their release in Mexico and in some countries in Africa. The high b-carotene trait in ‘Golden Rice 2’ is being introgressed into several Asian rice cultivars. At CIMMYT, molecular markers for LycE and HydB are fully implemented, have accelerated breeding by one season, and substantially enhance efficiency and effectiveness of high-provitamin A maize breeding. Marker-assisted selection has been successfully employed to transfer low phytate into improved soybean cultivars. Biofortified crops are being investigated for efficacy with human and animal systems. Transgenic rice containing AtNAS and Pvferritin have increased seed iron several folds, while transgenic maize containing phyA2 shows high phytase activity and reduced phytic acid compared to wild types. Maize transgenics containing five carotenoid genes show higher accumulation of b-carotene with no adverse effects on agronomic traits. A rigorous assessment is suggested to identify advantages of biofortified food for human health. Several issues, in addition to the above, related to biofortification, have been highlighted for furthering biofortification research in staple food crops. Biofortification has been included as core breeding activity in some countries in Latin America to ensure that newly developed crop cultivars meet nutritional needs of humans.
Genomics of Plant Genetic Resources, 2013
Micronutrient malnutrition—also known as hidden hunger—is a growing public health concern that af... more Micronutrient malnutrition—also known as hidden hunger—is a growing public health concern that affects especially women and children in the developing world. Worldwide, at least 2 billion people suffer from vitamin A, iron, and zinc deficiencies. Here we review recent advances in the application of genomic approaches for biofortification of staple crops to enhance their nutritional quality and thus reduce ‘hidden hunger’. The application of genomic tools such as marker-assisted selection in conventional breeding or genetic modification offers sustainable and cost-effective ways to provide essential micronutrients (here provitamin A or iron) to people in developing countries. To maximize the benefits of genomic approaches for biofortification, we need to extend our understanding of the genetic control mechanisms and relative contribution from different rate-limiting steps for both provitamin A and iron accumulation in edible plant parts.
Genetic biofortification to improve zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentrations in bread wheat (Tritic... more Genetic biofortification to improve zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentrations in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) could reduce micronutrient malnutrition. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is working with South Asian national partners to develop and disseminate high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat varieties with significantly increased Zn and Fe concentrations. Biofortified wheats with superior agronomic performance and durable resistance to all three rusts including Ug99 group of races of stem rust fungus will be targeted for commercialization in Mega-Environments 1 and 5 of South Asia, where more than 26 per cent of the population have inadequate Zn intake. Current breeding efforts for enhanced Zn and Fe have focused on transferring genes governing increased Zn and Fe from Triticum spelta, T. dicoccon, Ae. Tauschii-based synthetics, landraces, and other reported high Zn and Fe sources to high-yielding elite wheat backgrounds. New hexaploid synthetic wheats and other known sources with significantly higher Zn and Fe concentrations are being used as donor parents for limited-backcross breeding approach onto adapted CIMMYT wheat parents. Preliminary analysis of F 4 / F 5 lines evaluated in 2008-2009 revealed considerable variation for Zn (19–52 mg/kg) and Fe (23-52 mg/kg), and a second set of advanced lines screened in 2009-2010 confirmed the large variation that exists for both Zn (15-51 mg/ kg) and Fe (27-43 mg/kg). About 30 per cent of entries had more than 35 mg per kg Zn, suggesting good scope to identify candidate lines with enhanced Zn concentrations. Preliminary Genotype x Environment (GxE) testing of 100 best lines in target locations exhibited limited G x E interaction with significant genotypic effect and non-significant G x E interaction effect of entries across locations. Pooled data across locations showed up to 40 per cent increment over G. Velu et al. G. Velu et al. 341 341 the local checks for Zn (~31 mg/kg) and about 25 per cent of entries with more than 35 mg per kg Zn concentrations. These preliminary results provide the first evidence of the proof-of-concept that competitive Zn biofortified varieties can be developed with higher yield potential and other non-negotiable core traits.
Water and Food Challenge Program by Meike S Andersson
Recent concern over food prices has triggered a renewed interest in agricultural production syste... more Recent concern over food prices has triggered a renewed interest in agricultural production systems. While attention is focused mainly on cropping, a complete analysis of food production systems should recognize the importance of livestock as major consumers of resources - in particular water - and as providers of food and other products and services. We propose that there is a need to examine not just food systems in isolation, but combined food and water systems, both of which are described as in a critical condition. From this broader perspective, it appears even more important to understand livestock systems because first, a total evaluation of agricultural water productivity - the gain from water consumed by agriculture - cannot be made without understanding the complexities of livestock-containing systems and; second, because in most tropical river basins, livestock systems are the major consumers of water. To identify total water productivity of livestock-containing systems, we describe concepts of agricultural water productivity and review the complexities of tracking the flow of water through livestock-containing systems: from inputs as evapotranspiration (ET) of forage and crops to outputs of valued animal products or services. For the second part, we present preliminary results from water use accounts analysis for several major river basins, which reveal that for Africa at least, livestock systems appear to be the major water consumers. Yet, little is known about the fate of water as it passes through these systems. We propose that livestock-containing systems offer substantial scope for increasing total water productivity and that there is considerable merit in improving the capacity to analyze water consumption and water productivity through such systems. Without removing this major source of uncertainty, the potential for systemic improvement to meet the world food and water crisis remains undefined and hence under-acknowledged.
Conflicting demands for food and water, exacerbated by increasing population, increase the risks ... more Conflicting demands for food and water, exacerbated by increasing population, increase the risks of food insecurity, poverty and environmental damage in major river systems. Agriculture remains the predominant water user, but the linkage between water, agriculture and livelihoods is more complex than “water scarcity increases poverty”. The response of both agricultural and non-agricultural systems to increased pressure will affect livelihoods. Development will be constrained in closed basins if increased demand for irrigation deprives other users or if existing agricultural use constrains non-agricultural activities and in open basins if agriculture cannot feed an expanding or changing population or if the river system loses capacity due to degradation or over-exploitation.
Technical Report
The CPWF Basin Focal Project for the Andes system of basins worked with a range of local stakehol... more The CPWF Basin Focal Project for the Andes system of basins worked with a range of local stakeholders to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms for improving the productivity of water in the Andes. We considered productivity in broad terms as the productivity of energy (HEP), food and fiber (agriculture) and livelihoods (industry, transport and benefit sharing such as Payments for Environmental Services schemes (PES)).
In addition to the compiled data bases and analyses on poverty and institutions, one of the key deliverables of the project was the development and deployment of the AguAAndes policy support system (PSS). This integrates analyses of water availability and productivity within the local environmental and policy context. It is a web-based policy support system combining an extensive spatial database with process-based models for hydrology, crop
production and socio-economic processes. It is intended to allow analysts and decision makers to test the potential onsite and offsite impacts of land and water management decisions in terms of their ability to sustain environmental services and human wellbeing. Interventions and recommendations for future actions on water and food in the region are presented.
Forages by Meike S Andersson
Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill is a drought-tolerant, tropical multipurpose shrub legume ... more Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill is a drought-tolerant, tropical multipurpose shrub legume especially suited to low-input smallholder production systems, as a dry season forage supplement, live soil cover, mulch and living barrier, among others. The diversity of the world collection of 70 accessions classified as F. macrophylla was assessed using 14 morphological and phenological traits, and in terms of agronomic and forage potential. One erect and three semi-erect morphotypes were identified based on differences in plant height, flower and seed colour, inflorescence and peduncle length, and stem pubescence. Large variability in dry matter (DM) production (5–586 and 2–272 g plant−1 in the maximum and minimum rainfall periods, respectively), in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD, 307–543 g kg−1) and crude protein content (169–237 g kg−1) was measured. The accessions CIAT 18437, CIAT 21083 and CIAT 21090 were identified as promising in terms of productivity and digestibility. Their IVDMD ranged up to 541 g kg−1 in the maximum and up to 507 g kg−1 in the minimum rainfall period. DM yield and IVDMD in the three selected accessions were superior to the control CIAT 17403. An exploratory cafeteria grazing trial showed that F. macrophylla was palatable in the minimum but not consumed in the maximum rainfall period. Further morphological studies on inflorescence characteristics of herbarium specimens and molecular marker studies are warranted to clarify the taxonomic status (subspecies or varieties) of the four morphotypes identified. Further development, such as palatability studies with a selected set of accessions, can make Flemingia a valuable feed alternative.
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used for assessing genetic diversity and its... more Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used for assessing genetic diversity and its structure in a collection of the drought-tolerant, tropical multipurpose shrub legume Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill. The species is especially suited to low-input smallholder production systems and is used as dry season forage supplement, live soil cover, mulch and living barrier, among others. Genetic groups identified by RAPD analysis related closely to four morphotypes revealed by multivariate analysis of morphological, agronomic and forage quality characteristics. Overall genetic diversity in the collection was moderate (H T=0.241), with 79% differentiation among and high genetic similarity (GS) within groups (0.672–0.965). Results indicate a closer relationship of the semi-erect morphotypes M3 and M4 with F. stricta rather than with the erect morphotype M1. The latter was genetically the most depauperate, followed by morphotypes M2 and M4. New evidence is provided that non-Asian accessions collected in Africa and South America are derived from introduced Southeast Asian material. Furthermore, RAPD data suggest the presence of duplicates in the collection, especially in the over-represented erect morphotype M1.
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2006
A collection of 23 Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill accessions of different growth habits a... more A collection of 23 Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill accessions of different growth habits and contrasting digestibility and one Flemingia stricta reference accession were assessed for forage quality with particular emphasis on digestibility, condensed tannin concentration and fiber content. Large differences in in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) (356 to 598 g kg−1), content of crude protein (CP) (121 to 254 g kg−1) and extractable condensed tannins (CT) (0 to 268 g kg−1), protein-binding capacity of extractable CT or astringency (1.7 to 7.9 protein-binding entities) (PBE) and monomer composition of extractable CT were detected. IVDMD and extractable CT were negatively correlated and extractable CT was positively correlated with protein-binding capacity. Prodelphinidin was positively and propelargonidin negatively correlated with protein-binding capacity of extractable CT. The accessions CIAT 18438, CIAT 21083, CIAT 21090 and CIAT 22082 were superior to the most widely used accession CIAT 17403 in terms of forage quality and could be an option in production systems with acid infertile soils. In future evaluations, particular attention needs to be paid to chemical and structural features related to the composition of extractable CT and their effect on nitrogen utilization by ruminants.
The tropical multipurpose shrub legume Cratylia argentea is well adapted to acid soils of low to ... more The tropical multipurpose shrub legume Cratylia argentea is well adapted to acid soils of low to medium fertility and has excellent drought-tolerance. Due to its high nutritive value it is particularly suited as forage for dry-season supplementation. A collection of 47 C. argentea accessions in a collection, derived from seed replicating of original accessions with differing geographic origin and morphological and agronomic characteristics was investigated using molecular markers (RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA)). Genetic diversity (HT = 0.145) in the collection was low, with 30% of differentiation among groups and high genetic similarity among accessions (GS = 0.805). Within-accession variability was high. One taxonomic mismatch and five possible duplicate accessions were identified. Our results suggest that the genetic diversity in the C. argentea accessions studied is relatively homogeneously distributed, indicating the likelihood of extensive outcrossing. The genetic diversity of original accessions should be assessed to determine if outcrossing has occurred during or before ex situ storage. This might also support any decision on whether accessions should be bulked rather than maintaining them individually.
Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze is a drought-tolerant tropical shrub legume that can help to ... more Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze is a drought-tolerant tropical shrub legume that can help to ensure continuity of forage supply in smallholder systems either through direct grazing or as a cut-and-carry plant for fresh foliage or silage. A collection of 38 accessions was characterized agronomically and nutritionally. High diversity was detected between accessions. Time to flowering ranged from 217–329 days after transplanting seedlings to the field and from 129–202 days after cutting. Flowering is probably induced by reduction of day length. Seed production was high but variable. Dry matter production ranged from 190–382 g/plant in the rainy and from 124–262 g/plant in the dry season, content of in vitro digestible dry matter from 589–690 g/kg, crude protein content from 184–237 g/kg and fibre content from 403–528 g/kg (neutral detergent fiber, NDF), 240–335 g/kg (acid detergent fiber, ADF), and 9–13 g/kg (acid detergent fibre-bound nitrogen, N-ADF). Accessions CIAT 18674 and CIAT 22406 were identified as promising for further study. They were superior to the commercial cultivar in terms of dry matter (DM) production, particularly in the dry season. Further research is required to determine the prevailing reproduction strategy of C. argentea and to quantify outcrossing-rates. Multilocational trials with a selected set of accessions should be conducted under different environmental conditions.
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2007
Dissertation
Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze and Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill are promising tro... more Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze and Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill are promising tropical multipurpose shrub legumes. Both are drought-tolerant, well adapted to low-fertility, acid soils, and especially suited for low-input smallholder production systems in the sub-humid and humid tropics. They can be used e.g. as dry season forage supplementation, live soil cover or mulch, erosion barrier hedges, and shade-providing shrubs in young coffee and cocoa plantations. Germplasm collections were assembled from the wild-legume flora in Brazil (C. argentea) and Southeast Asia (F. macrophylla), but research and development are so far based on only a few accessions. Knowledge about the extent of genetic diversity within these collections is very limited. In addition, the potential utilization of F. macrophylla is so far limited by poor forage quality and acceptability of the few evaluated accessions. The objective of the present study, conducted in a research cooperation with the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia, was to assess the diversity in the germplasm collections of C. argentea (38 accessions) and F. macrophylla (69 accessions) in terms of morphological and phenological traits, agronomic and forage quality traits, and molecular markers, and to identify superior genotyes. Based on these different characterization approaches, the objective was furthermore to establish core collections for F. macrophylla, and to compare and validate the different strategies, giving particular consideration to their practical implications (time and cost efficiency) for the application to small collections of perennial wild tropical legumes. Cratylia argentea High diversity in terms of phenological and agronomic as well as forage quality traits was detected in the collection, with scope for plant improvement in terms of higher dry season DM production. Accessions CIAT 18674 and 22406 were identified as promising for further evaluation since they were similar to the commercial cultivar Veraniega in terms of forage quality, and superior in terms of DM production, particularly in the dry season. Molecular marker analysis with RAPDs showed that the genetic diversity in the collection was relatively low and fairly homogeneously distributed. Accessions CIAT 22373, 22378, 22380, 22381 and 22411 were identified as possible duplicates. Flemingia macrophylla High diversity in terms of morphological and agronomic as well as forage quality traits was detected among the 69 accessions. The identification of four morphotypes in the collection probably has taxonomic implications. Scope for plant improvement was identified with respect to forage quality one of the species main limitations. Accessions CIAT 18437, 21083 and 21090 had similar DM production and higher digestibility than the control accession, and were virtually free of extractable condensed tannins. Problems with low palatability and low seed production of these promising accessions need to be further studied. Genetic diversity in F. macrophylla was higher than in C. argentea, and corresponded closely to the four morphotypes revealed by conventional characterization. Various duplicate accessions were identified, and evidence was provided that the non-Asian accessions are not native to their collection site regions, but rather introduced from Southeast Asia. The results have direct applications for plant improvement of these promising multipurpose legumes. The superior genotypes selected in this study will be used in work with farmers in CIAT-research sites in Central America and distributed to partners. It must be recognized, however, that the diversity assessed is influenced by the climatic and edaphic conditions at the site where the studies were conducted. Therefore, multilocational trials should be considered with a selected subset (including the promising accessions) of C. argentea and F. macrophylla i) to assess the extent of genotype x environment interaction, and ii) to identify genotypes with consistently high performance in a range of distinct environments. Research on the reproduction system of both species is urgently required to determine the potential extent and impact of outcrossing. Beyond the immediate application of these species for farmer utilization, the results of the use and comparison of different approaches to assess diversity and to establish core collections can help to improve germplasm management and characterization of wild tropical legume species in general. Random sampling has been identified as a valuable and resource-efficient strategy for the creation of core collections when no additional information about accessions is available, and in the absence of adequate funds. The validation of the findings of this study with a broader range of perennial tropical wild legumes is necessary to assess their applicability to other species.
Various by Meike S Andersson
This study illustrates the use of spatial information with high spatial resolution digital images... more This study illustrates the use of spatial information with high spatial resolution digital images to monitor the growth and development of crops in research plots and under commercial management. A robust and cost-effective technology to generate information endogenously from low altitude aerial imagery is described, and examples of applications in common beans and bananas are presented. Images were acquired using a standard commercial digital or SLR camera lifted by a kite or balloon. The optimum camera settings varied with conditions. The feasibility of correcting for distortions in the images and calibration of the sensor was explored, but it was not possible to automatically correct images and standardize the radiometric parameters over a range of conditions. Nevertheless, a combination of automated and visual analysis of the images obtained provided a means of classifying and quantifying various aspects of crop growth and development. This information was shown to be related to various bean and banana growth characteristics and can be used to predict bean yields and to estimate plant growth related parameters in banana plantations. The information is readily understood and, due to the robustness of the technology at a budget price, the methodology is a potentially powerful way of generating and providing information to local managers of genetic and natural resources as well as to owners of commercial plantations.
A first study on the biodiversity of non-vascular epiphytes in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plantat... more A first study on the biodiversity of non-vascular epiphytes in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plantations in western Ecuador yielded 112 species (51 bryophytes, 61 lichens). Epiphyte assemblages of cacao plantations resembled those of tropical rain forests but species richness was usually lower and individual species were found at lower heights on the trunks. The vast majority of the species are widespread neotropical or pantropical species; one species, Spruceanthus theobromae (Spruce) Gradst., is endemic to cacao plantations of western Ecuador. Differences in management intensity, by manual removal of epiphytes from tree trunks (limpia), had a significant impact on epiphyte species diversity. Total species richness was significantly reduced in plantations with high management intensity, due mainly to the decreased diversity of lichens and liverworts; moss diversity was not affected by management regime. Total percentage cover of bryophytes was highest in plantations with low management intensity, while lichen cover was greatest in plantations with high management intensity. Crustose lichens and smooth mats growing closely appressed to the substrate were little affected by the limpia and their growth may have been promoted when larger-sized species were removed, by reducing competition. Cacao plantations with low and moderate management intensity serve as an important substitute habitat for ecological specialists (sun epiphytes, shade epiphytes) of the rain forest and are of considerable significance for their conservation.
This paper examines how bundling of ecosystem services into agricultural products (BESAP) markets... more This paper examines how bundling of ecosystem services into agricultural products (BESAP) markets are actually being set up on the ground, drawing lessons learned from six cases in Africa and Latin America.
The once-radical concept of saving the environment by documenting the economic value of environme... more The once-radical concept of saving the environment by documenting the economic value of environmental services and then getting industry to pay is finally catching on – but how is one to keep track of all the new methodologies and concepts? The Ecosystem Marketplace presents The Matrix, a new tool for surveying the ecosystem services landscape.
To map this PES landscape, the Ecosystem Marketplace researched the main PES schemes and each of their sub-categories (mandatory or “compliance” offsets for carbon forestry, voluntary offsets for carbon forestry, government-mediated watershed protection, and mandatory or “compliance” offsets for biodiversity, among others) and their key characteristics (size, environmental impact, community impact, market participants and shapers, and emerging trends).
To collect the information on such a broad spectrum of topics, we pulled together a team of authorities on PES, each of whom performed interviews, literature searches, and web searches to collect information for a specific category of market. The result of this effort is a large spreadsheet showing all of the markets and their defining characteristics side by side. This poster-sized chart is a powerful tool for viewing and thinking about PES markets. We’ve dubbed it “the Matrix”. To create a more reader-friendly format for accessing this information online, we’ve split the Matrix into ‘market profiles’ that are essentially executive summaries or narratives for each market.
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HarvestPlus by Meike S Andersson
Water and Food Challenge Program by Meike S Andersson
In addition to the compiled data bases and analyses on poverty and institutions, one of the key deliverables of the project was the development and deployment of the AguAAndes policy support system (PSS). This integrates analyses of water availability and productivity within the local environmental and policy context. It is a web-based policy support system combining an extensive spatial database with process-based models for hydrology, crop
production and socio-economic processes. It is intended to allow analysts and decision makers to test the potential onsite and offsite impacts of land and water management decisions in terms of their ability to sustain environmental services and human wellbeing. Interventions and recommendations for future actions on water and food in the region are presented.
Forages by Meike S Andersson
Various by Meike S Andersson
To map this PES landscape, the Ecosystem Marketplace researched the main PES schemes and each of their sub-categories (mandatory or “compliance” offsets for carbon forestry, voluntary offsets for carbon forestry, government-mediated watershed protection, and mandatory or “compliance” offsets for biodiversity, among others) and their key characteristics (size, environmental impact, community impact, market participants and shapers, and emerging trends).
To collect the information on such a broad spectrum of topics, we pulled together a team of authorities on PES, each of whom performed interviews, literature searches, and web searches to collect information for a specific category of market. The result of this effort is a large spreadsheet showing all of the markets and their defining characteristics side by side. This poster-sized chart is a powerful tool for viewing and thinking about PES markets. We’ve dubbed it “the Matrix”. To create a more reader-friendly format for accessing this information online, we’ve split the Matrix into ‘market profiles’ that are essentially executive summaries or narratives for each market.
In addition to the compiled data bases and analyses on poverty and institutions, one of the key deliverables of the project was the development and deployment of the AguAAndes policy support system (PSS). This integrates analyses of water availability and productivity within the local environmental and policy context. It is a web-based policy support system combining an extensive spatial database with process-based models for hydrology, crop
production and socio-economic processes. It is intended to allow analysts and decision makers to test the potential onsite and offsite impacts of land and water management decisions in terms of their ability to sustain environmental services and human wellbeing. Interventions and recommendations for future actions on water and food in the region are presented.
To map this PES landscape, the Ecosystem Marketplace researched the main PES schemes and each of their sub-categories (mandatory or “compliance” offsets for carbon forestry, voluntary offsets for carbon forestry, government-mediated watershed protection, and mandatory or “compliance” offsets for biodiversity, among others) and their key characteristics (size, environmental impact, community impact, market participants and shapers, and emerging trends).
To collect the information on such a broad spectrum of topics, we pulled together a team of authorities on PES, each of whom performed interviews, literature searches, and web searches to collect information for a specific category of market. The result of this effort is a large spreadsheet showing all of the markets and their defining characteristics side by side. This poster-sized chart is a powerful tool for viewing and thinking about PES markets. We’ve dubbed it “the Matrix”. To create a more reader-friendly format for accessing this information online, we’ve split the Matrix into ‘market profiles’ that are essentially executive summaries or narratives for each market.