Infographics

Infographics are graphic visual representations of data or knowledge representing information in a quick, easy, and clear manner. The IUCN Water Programme infographics are free for use for educational and non-commercial purposes, provided due credit is given: ©IUCN Water.

Photo: IUCN Water Programme Sustainability and inclusion for growth corridors in Africa

Making sustainability and inclusion part of African growth corridors is a win-win for all, including nature.

Introducing inclusive green growth into these landscapes, rather than continuing with business as usual has a number of positive outcomes. It supports partnerships between diverse actors for optimal resource allocation and sustainable ecosystem, while enabling long-term business competitiveness, strengthening sustainable and vibrant local communities, encouraging strong and inclusive institution and secures innovative investment flows.

Download the infographic here: Sustainability and inclusion for growth corridors in Africa

SUSTAINability in African Landscapes – Blog by Claire Warmenbol

More information on SUSTAIN: sustaininitiative.org

Photo: IUCN Water Programme Flow allocations in a river system: Natural and Managed Systems

As competition for freshwater increases and climate change affects the flow of water through changes in precipitation, snowmelt and evaporation, there will be increased pressure on our freshwater systems for societal and environmental needs. The future planning of agricultural, energy and water supply and food protection infrastructure must recognise the implications of alterations to natural river flows and biophysical processes

Download the infographic here: Flow allocations in a river system

Unseen and unrecognised - allocating water to nature in river systems – Blog by Rebecca Welling

More information on WISE UP: waterandnature.org/initiatives/wise-climate

Photo: IUCN Water Programme Combining natural and built infrastructure

Combining our understanding of natural systems with the ingenuity of built infrastructure allows us to maximise the benefits of both to ensure our economies prosper. Nature’s functions and natural solutions can help build climate resilience to support actions identified in their national climate plans.

Download the infographic here: C ombining Natural and Built Infrastructure - infographic
Download version with less text here: Combining Natural and built infrastructure (less text)
Download French version here: Combining Natural and Built Infrastructure - infographic (French)

For more information: Nature-based solutions for water: infrastructure at your service

More information on WISE-UP: waterandnature.org/initiatives/wise-climate

Photo: IUCN Water Programme Econhydrograph

In the Upper East region of Ghana, natural water infrastructure benefits provide Pwalugu communities with an average annual income of 1,360 USD per household. Baseflow and natural irrigation by seasonal flooding supports a range of livelihood activities corresponding to 53% of total household annual income. The proposed Pwalugu multi-purpose dam will impact natural infrastructure benefits downstream. However, this could be positive or negative and at different magnitudes depending on which dam operating rules are adopted.

Download the infographic here: WISE UP Econhydrograph

More information on WISE-UP: waterandnature.org/initiatives/wise-climate

Going with the Flow - Value of natural water infrastructure

Working with natural infrastructure optimises engineered infrastructure performance and financial benefits

Water-related ecosystem services perform an infrastructure-like function, such as wetlands filtering contaminated water, mangroves protecting shorelines from extreme weather events, floodplains absorbing excessive storm waters and lakes storing large water supplies. Yet, they are not built infrastructure; these natural water infrastructures are shaped, grown, eroded, or deposited by nature. Working with nature can optimise the performance and financial benefits of engineered infrastructures. An academic study valued the societal benefits of natural water infrastructure services (wetlands, lakes and rivers) at $29trn per year as of 2011.

Read more: 'Valuing Nature's Water Infrastructure', originally posted in the Economist Insights. Blog by Dr Mark Smith.

Natural Infrastructure for Water Management - Investing in nature for multiple objectives

Natural infrastructure represents the services that ecosystems provide that are similar to those provided by built or conventional infrastructure approaches.

The composition, structure, and function of natural infrastructure in river basins, and the way it interplays with built infrastructure, determines the primary services and co-benefits produced.

> Download JPG

IUCN WISE-UP to Climate: https://www.iucn.org/theme/water/our-work/current-projects/wise-climate

Infographic in Spanish

Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus

Water, energy and food security rely on water infrastructure. Recognition of the closely bound interaction between water, energy and food production and use – the nexus - has led to new demands for water infrastructure and technology solutions.

How is water infrastructure currently being used? What technologies are available to optimize across water supply sources? How can infrastructure be made more functional and sustainable to secure water supplies, food production and energy generation, without compromising the ecosystems we all rely on? Optimizing infrastructure for the nexus will mean mixing portfolios of engineered and natural infrastructure. Each component complements the other, with benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness, risk reduction, sustainable development and benefit sharing.

> Download PDF

Nexus Dialogue website: https://www.iucn.org/theme/water/our-work/past-projects/nexus

Building River Dialogue and Governance (BRIDGE) strategic process

Implementing water diplomacy is not a simple process. The IUCN BRIDGE project incorporates a number of mechanisms and tools.

It uses demonstration of how to make cooperation operational as the basis for confidence and trust building through shared learning and joint action. Second, through learning, BRIDGE uses training and capacity building for multiple stakeholders in water governance, international water law, and benefit sharing. Third, it facilitates dialogue for consensus building using demonstration actions and learning events to catalyse new dialogues on technical, development and political matters. Fourth, BRIDGE implements leadership programmes supporting the empowerment of champions who can effectively advocate for mobilisation of water diplomacy. Finally, through support functions, BRIDGE provides advice on demand and technical assistance to governments and stakeholders on water governance in transboundary hot spots regionally and globally.

> Download PDF

IUCN BRIDGE: www.iucn.org/bridge

Ecosystem Services - Healthy versus Degraded system

The 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) report defined ecosystem services as “the benefits people obtain from ecosystems” and categorized them as supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural. The MEA explanatory diagram defined the links between human wellbeing and ecosystem services in terms of security, basic material for a good life, health and good social relations.

IUCN Water decided to revisit this MEA diagram, redrawing it to further emphasize the complex and dynamic relationship between ecosystem services and the components of human well being from a freshwater perspective. The new diagram aims to more intuitively demonstrate the extent to which both rich and poor livelihoods are dependent on the sustainability of ecosystems and the variety of services that they provide.

Resources