The Fall of the Water

Preface Executive summary Introduction Objectives Methodology The GLOBIO method Piecemeal urban and infrastructure development Urban development Rural upland areas in temperate hills Wilderness areas and high-altitude steppe Arid lowland areas The fall of the water Emerging threats to the water resources and biodiversity at the roof of the world to Asia’s lowland from land-use changes associated with large-scale settlement and piecemeal development

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Lowland and mountainous tropical areas Water resources affected by development Extent of ecosystems with reduced biodiversity as a result of development Piecemeal development intensify land use Piecemeal development is taking great tolls on biodiversity Intensified land use impacts water resources Infrastructure development and poverty Cumulative impacts of land use and climate change on biodiversity Protected areas and policy needs Conclusion

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References Appendix 1. The GLOBIO 2.0 methodology – infrastructure scenarios Appendix 2. The GLOBIO 3.0 model framework – integrating multiple pressures

Printed November 2004 by Birkeland Trykkeri, Norway. Photos courtesy of Topham/UNEP and ICIMOD.

Disclaimer The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP or contributory organisations. The designations employed and the presentations do not imply the expressions of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP or contributory organisations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authority, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.