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T1 Ecosystem Approaches in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): A Review of Transboundary Basins
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A1 International Institute for Sustainable Development, 
A1 Water Innovation Centre, 
A2 Roy, D.
A2 Barr, J.
A2 Venema, H. D.
K1 ecosystem
K1 transboundary water
K1 river basin
K1 case study
YR 2011
FD 2011-08
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/32267
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/32267
NO Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) combines land and water management through broad-based stakeholder participation to realize multiple co-benefits in watersheds. The potential for IWRM in transboundary watersheds throughout the world is highly significant, since approximately 40% of the world’s population lives in river and lake basins that comprise two or more countries (UN-Water 2008). Almost 50% of the Earth’s land surface lies within such transboundary watersheds, which provide over 60% of global freshwater flow. These watersheds also represent large tracts of land with high biodiversity and forest cover. It has been estimated, however, that a third of the world’s watersheds have lost more than 75% of their original forest cover and that 17 river basins have lost more than 95% (Revenga, et al. 1998). Competition with activities that lead to deforestation, mostly due to a need for increased food production, makes it imperative to sustainably manage such watersheds and the ecosystem services (ES) from them (including food and water).
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 20, 2026