Summary of the Economic Value of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Lake Nabugabo Wetland Service

This report was produced with an overall objective of supporting development of Conservation Investment Plans (CIPs) for biologically significant areas (BSA) in the Lake Victoria Basin. It contributes towards the PREPARED project.

Targeted at potential donors and investors, CIPs present key conservation activities as a set of bankable investment packages, aiming to mobilize new funding flows and fill critical financing gaps. Information about the economic value of biodiversity and ecosystem services at each site – and hence the economic return on investing in conservation – provides a key part of the business case and economic justification for the CIP.

This report presents a rapid economic valuation exercise that was carried out in Lake Nabugabo Wetland Complex in Uganda. Toward the overall objective of providing information that can be used to provide an economic justification for the CIP, the rapid assessment of eco systemservice values seeks to answer four key questions: (1) how and for whom does the Lake Nabugabo Wetland Complex generate economic benefits? (2) what is the current value of biodiversity and ecosystem services? (3) what would be the costs of wetland degradation and loss? and (4) what would be the value-added from investing in enhanced wetland conservation and wise use?