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INTRODUCTION TO ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION (ESPA)

The purpose of ESPA is “to positively influence end users and decision makers through the generation of cutting edge evidence on ecosystem services, their full value, and links to sustainable poverty reduction”.

The overall ESPA goal is “sustainably managed ecosystems contributing to poverty reduction and inclusive growth in developing countries”.

ESPA will fulfil its purpose by funding a portfolio of research projects and activities that are designed to address the following four objectives:

ESPA Objectives

1. The creation of a strong research and evidence base on the interface between ecosystem services, their dynamics and management, human use and pathways to sustainable poverty reduction.
2. Development of innovative, interdisciplinary research and methodologies, delivering tools and approaches that enable the simulation and prediction of socio-ecological responses to multiple drivers.
3. High uptake of research outputs and synthesis by early and on-going engagement and communication with policy makers, practitioners and decision makers.
4. Enhanced capacity of southern researchers to conduct, lead and use/communicate high quality ESPA-type interdisciplinary research, including through effective north-south and south-south research partnerships.

ESPA Research Themes

1. Water: the impact of climate variability and change on the water cycle, ecosystem services and water security.
2. Health: ecosystem services, disease ecology and human well-being.
3. Forests: Forests, land use change and ecosystem services.
4. Biodiversity: Biodiversity and ecosystem services—ensuring a sustainable flow of goods and services to enhance human well-being.
5. Coastal: Strengthening the management of coastal ecosystems to support sustained ecosystem service delivery for reduced poverty and vulnerability in coastal zones.
6. Political Economy: The political economy of sustainable ecosystem services for poverty reduction and sustainable growth.

Funding and support
Funding totaling £40.5M over 7 years from: the Department for International Development (DFID), the Natural Environment Research
Council (NERC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

For more information and to register:
www.nerc.ac.uk/research/programmes/espa/events/ao4.asp