1 FDES: Chapter 3.1 Environmental conditions and qualityUnderstand you are more expert than I in some topics. I’m a generalist. I know less and less about more and more. Feel free to ask questions of clarification. Save the technical discussions for discussions and coffee breaks. FDES: Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics

2 Outline Environmental conditions and quality Level 1 (50min) 1. Overview & links to SEEA & SDGs 2. Sub-components 1.1 Physical Conditions 1.2 Land cover, Ecosystems, Biodiversity 1.3 Environmental Quality 3. Group exercise (30min) 4. Group discussion (10min) See link to YouTube video… FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

3 Learning objectives Level 1 & 2Understand the concepts of environmental conditions and quality Learn about the main data sources Understand the links with the SEEA & SDGs Learn the basics of compiling environmental conditions and quality indicators All of these sessions are simply an introduction to the manual. They are not a substitute. Consider the manual as your Textbook! FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

4 FDES Components Component 1: Environmental conditions and quality1.1 Physical conditions 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity 1.3 Environmental quality Examples of Core Set Statistics This is in the middle because it supports everything else… Examples??? Conditions, ecosystems, biodiversity, quality… FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

5 What are environmental conditions and quality?Changes 1 Environmental conditions and quality 1.1 Physical conditions Landscape modification, pollution 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems, biodiversity Land use change, harvesting, pollution 1.3 Environmental quality Pollution …physical, biological and chemical characteristics of the environment and their changes over time Is quality improving, stable or declining? FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

6 Links to SEEA & SDGs FDES SEEA Environmental conditions and quality:Sub-component FDES SEEA Physical 1.1 Physical conditions and quality Ecosystem Condition, Carbon Biological 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity Land (CF), Ecosystem Extent, Biodiversity, Water Chemical 1.3 Environmental quality Ecosystem condition Links is still superficial…have some more detailed examples… Environmental conditions and quality: Physical, biological and chemical characteristics Need statistics on background conditions to assess changes and health of the environment Also links to “State of the Environment” reporting, FDES Environmental Resources FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

7 What are environmental conditions and quality?Sub-component Topic 1 Environmental conditions and quality 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.1: Atmosphere, climate and weather 1.1.2: Hydrographical characteristics 1.1.3: Geological and geographical information 1.1.4: Soil characteristics 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.1: Land cover 1.2.2: Ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.3: Forests 1.3 Environmental quality 1.3.1: Air quality 1.3.2: Freshwater quality 1.3.3: Marine water quality 1.3.4: Soil pollution 1.3.5: Noise Any one of these topics would be worthy of a training module (and many books!). We’ll cover them all in 90 minutes! FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

8 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1 Physical conditions1.1.1: Atmosphere, climate and weather 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.2: Hydrographical characteristics 1.1.3: Geological and geographical information 1.1.4: Soil characteristics 1.1 Physical conditions Change relatively slowly due to human activities Needed to interpret quality and changes in quality FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

9 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.1 Atmosphere, climate and weather1.1.2: Hydrographical characteristics 1.1.3: Geological and geographical information 1.1.4: Soil characteristics 1.1.1 Atmosphere, climate and weather Why important? Understand conditions & trends to explain other phenomena (e.g., ecosystem change, biodiversity, living conditions, floods) Climate = longer-term (century, decade); Weather (hourly, daily, season) Data types: temperature, precipitation, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction, solar radiation, ultraviolet (UV), recurrent global weather events (El Niño and La Niña) Data sources: meteorological/climate services monitoring stations Challenges: Assessing long-term trends Selecting reporting period Air quality  FDES 1.3 (Environmental quality) SEEA  Ecosystem condition FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

10 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

11 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.2 Hydrographical characteristics1.1.1: Atmosphere, climate and weather 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.2: Hydrographical characteristics 1.1.3: Geological and geographical information 1.1.4: Soil characteristics 1.1.2 Hydrographical characteristics Why important? Basis for understanding water & flows of water Data types: extent, location and characteristics of lakes, rivers and streams, artificial reservoirs, watersheds, seas, aquifers (groundwater) and glaciers. Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: hydrological services monitoring stations, water authorities Challenges: Obtaining spatial detail, harmonizing different sources/sub-national Low frequency of data (infrequent updates) Water quality  FDES 1.3 (Environmental quality) SEEA  Ecosystem condition FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

12 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

13 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.3 Geological and geographic information1.1.1: Atmosphere, climate and weather 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.2: Hydrographical characteristics 1.1.3: Geological and geographical information 1.1.4: Soil characteristics 1.1.3 Geological and geographic information Why important? Foundation for soil; agreement on boundaries; geological events Data types: Geological (bedrock, fault lines, volcanos) Geographic (borders, administrative boundaries, elevation, slope, coastline) Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: national geographical and geological agencies Challenges: Agreement on shorelines and coastlines Integration of data from different sources (periods, projections, scales) Mineral resources  FDES 2.1 (Mineral resources) SEEA  Land, Ecosystem Condition, Ecosystems Water FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

14 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

15 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.4 Soil characteristics1.1.1: Atmosphere, climate and weather 1.1 Physical conditions 1.1.2: Hydrographical characteristics 1.1.3: Geological and geographical information 1.1.4: Soil characteristics 1.1.4 Soil characteristics Why important? Production and cycling of biological resources; foundation for infrastructure; nutrients for agriculture, forestry & ecosystems; habitat; carbon storage… Data types: Soil classes (e.g., podzol, chernozem); moisture content; organic content; depth Degradation: erosion, desertification, salinization, acidification, compaction… Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: Agriculture departments conduct soil inventory; FAO Harmonized World Soil Database Challenges: Soil inventories often represented as complex spatial units (40% podzol…) Soil inventories not frequently updated Soil pollution  FDES 1.3 (Environmental quality) Soil resources  FDES 2.4 (Soil resources) SEEA  Soil, Ecosystem Condition, Ecosystem Services Supply/Use FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

16 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

17 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems, biodiversity1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.2: Ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.3: Forests 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity Biological conditions Forests  separate topic (also a Land Cover and Ecosystem) Biological resources as commodities  FDES 2.5 (Biological resources) FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

18 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems, biodiversity1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.2: Ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.3: Forests 1.2.1 Land cover Observed biophysical cover of earth’s surface (freshwater, coastal and marine) Why important? Human activities and global drivers change land cover; One indication of ecosystem type (e.g., forest, wetland…) Data types: Land cover classified by type (FAO LCCS3  SEEA-CF 14 classes) Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: Remote sensing (satellite); Land, agriculture, natural resource, forestry agencies; Global sources (FAO…) Challenges: Agreement among agencies on land cover (distinguish from land use = function) Integrating data from multiple sources (periods, projections, scales) Land use  FDES 2.3 (Land) SEEA  Land Accounts; Ecosystem Extent FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

19 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

20 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems, biodiversity1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.2: Ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.3: Forests 1.2.2 Ecosystems and biodiversity Ecosystems are dynamic complexes of plant, animal and microorganism communities and the non-living environment interacting as a functional unit Why important? Ecosystems are foundation for human and non-human life; provide ecosystem services Data types: Ecosystem extent (classified by type; start with Land Cover!  vegetation complexes) Presence and populations of important species; protected areas; protected species lists Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: Environment, Fisheries, Agriculture departments; scientific studies & databases Challenges: Integrating data from many sources (periods, locations) Partial information (one location, one species…) Biological resources (crops, livestock, fish, etc.)  FDES 2.5 (Biological resources) SEEA  Ecosystem Extent, Condition, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services Supply FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

21 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

22 1.2 Land cover, ecosystems, biodiversity1.2 Land cover, ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.2: Ecosystems and biodiversity 1.2.3: Forests 1.2.3 Forests Focus on forests as specific ecosystem types Why important? Forests provide timber and other economically-important resources; and ecosystem services (water regulation, soil formation, carbon sequestration, habitat…) Data types: Extent by type (primary, other naturally-regenerated, planted; by species…) Biomass & carbon sequestration; Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: Forest inventories (generally based on remote sensing with groundtruthing) Challenges: Integrating data from many sources (periods, locations) Partial information (one location, one species…) Timber and non-timber forest products  FDES 2.5 (Biological resources) SEEA  Forest & Timber; Ecosystem Extent, Condition, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services Supply FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

23 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

24 1.3 Environmental quality1.3.1: Air quality 1.3.2: Freshwater quality 1.3 Environmental quality 1.3.3: Marine water quality 1.3.4: Soil pollution 1.3.5: Noise 1.3 Environmental quality Concentrations of pollutants, harmful organisms, levels of noise Why important? Impacts on human health, ecosystems and infrastructure Location, location, location (use maps!) Emissions, effluents and solid waste  FDES Component 3 (Residuals) SEEA  Ecosystem condition FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

25 1.3 Environmental quality1.3.1: Air quality 1.3.2: Freshwater quality 1.3 Environmental quality 1.3.3: Marine water quality 1.3.4: Soil pollution 1.3.5: Noise 1.3.1 Air quality Ambient concentrations of important pollutants, particulates, greenhouse gases Why important? Poor air quality harmful to humans, ecosystems and infrastructure Data types: Concentrations of substances of interest Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: Environment departments (air quality monitoring stations) Challenges: Air quality in non-urban areas (can be modelled from emissions & airflow) Daily averages hide variation (use maximum) Emissions  FDES Component 3 (Residuals) SEEA  Ecosystem Condition FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

26 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

27 1.3 Environmental quality1.3.1: Air quality 1.3.2: Freshwater quality 1.3 Environmental quality 1.3.3: Marine water quality 1.3.4: Soil pollution 1.3.5: Noise 1.3.2 Freshwater quality Ambient concentrations of important substances (pollutants, organisms and sediments) Why important? Poor quality harmful to humans, aquatic life; treatment costly Data types: Concentrations of substances (e.g., nutrients, metals) in water and organisms Conditions (pH, temperature) Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: Environment departments (water quality monitoring stations); Water suppliers (Municipal intake); International [GEMS] Challenges: Many measures (selection of “priority” measures from hundreds of possible measures) Different regional water quality guidelines Compiling “average” water quality (by purpose: drinking, recreation, aquatic life, industry…) Effluents  FDES Component 3 (Residuals) SEEA  Ecosystem Condition, Ecosystem Water FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

28 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

29 1.3 Environmental quality1.3.1: Air quality 1.3.2: Freshwater quality 1.3 Environmental quality 1.3.3: Marine water quality 1.3.4: Soil pollution 1.3.5: Noise 1.3.3 Marine water quality Ambient concentrations of important substances (pollutants, organisms and sediments); and characteristics Why important? Many water pollutants harmful to humans, ecosystems and infrastructure. Data types: Concentrations of substances of interest (nutrients, metals) in water and organisms Conditions (pH, temperature eutrophication, coral bleaching, Red Tide) Best presented spatially (maps!) and over time (oceans are dynamic) Data sources: National and international monitoring stations Challenges: Many indicators (be selective) Localization of effects (all measures not relevant everywhere) Effluents  FDES Component 3 (Residuals) SEEA  Ecosystem Condition, Ecosystem Water FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

30 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

31 1.3 Environmental quality1.3.1: Air quality 1.3.2: Freshwater quality 1.3 Environmental quality 1.3.3: Marine water quality 1.3.4: Soil pollution 1.3.5: Noise 1.3.4 Soil pollution Chemicals and other residues from human activities Why important? Harmful to humans and ecosystems, get into food chain, reduce agricultural productivity Data types: Concentrations of substances of interest: hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals Areas contaminated, remediated Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: National agricultural and forestry monitoring (soil inventory) Challenges: Data limited and not systematic Soil area, volume, erosion  FDES 2.4 (Soil resources); 1.1 (Soil characteristics) SEEA  Ecosystem Condition FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

32 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

33 1.3 Environmental quality1.3.1: Air quality 1.3.2: Freshwater quality 1.3 Environmental quality 1.3.3: Marine water quality 1.3.4: Soil pollution 1.3.5: Noise 1.3.5 Noise Noise pollution everywhere (cities, airports, ships, infrastructure) Why important? Harmful to humans and ecosystems Data types: Noise levels by source and location Best presented spatially (maps!) Data sources: Environment departments (noise monitoring stations) Challenges: Data limited and not systematic Guidance (WHO) focuses on impacts on humans SEEA  Ecosystem Condition FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

34 The indicators: FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

35 Questions/comments? Next: Group exercise 20 minutes to prepare10 minutes to report & discuss answers FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

36 Group exercise Situation Objective (Groups of 3-5 persons)Region with 3 water quality monitoring stations Measure 6 different parameters (4 times per year) Objective (Groups of 3-5 persons) Decide if measure exceeds guidelines Calculate % of parameters exceeded Is it safe to drink? What is the biggest water quality problem? Report & discuss answers (10min) Need to change references to inventory! FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

37 Our region Three monitoring stationsStation 1 downstream from agriculture Station 2 outflow of wastewater Station 3 downstream from industry (water intake) FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

38 Water quality guidelines & dataYes For each sample: Does it exceed guidelines? Yes/No For each date: what % of parameters exceed guidelines? On which days is the water safe to drink? (no exceedances) FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

39 Water quality summary For each substance, count the number of exceedances and report on % of samples For which substances are exceedances greatest? FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

40 Group exercise Is everyone clear on the objectives?20 minutes group work Please ask questions! Results: Group report: On which days is the water safe to drink? For which substance is exceedances greatest? FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

41 Group exercise – the answersWater is safe to drink on 03/03/2017 (Stations 1 and 3) Most exceedances due to Nitrate (63%) FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

42 Group discussion Does your department collect? What are the main environmental conditions/quality concerns in your country? Why? (people, ecosystems, economy…) For which ones is it most important to develop new statistics? FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

43 References FDES: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/fdes.htmSEEA-CF: SEEA-Energy: SEEA-Water: SEEA-Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: SEEA-EEA (Experimental Ecosystem Accounting): FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1

44 Acknowledgements Materials prepared by: Materials adapted from:Michael Bordt Regional Adviser on Environment Statistics ESCAP Statistics Division Materials adapted from: UNSD (Environment Statistics) FDES presentations: Tanzania: Togo: ml (aussi en Français) FDES Chapter 3 - Component 1