Hamish John Appleby/IWMI
Ecosystem Services recognizes the centrality of ecosystem services for the sustainable intensification of agriculture, a key principle underpinning the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE).
This theme investigates how landscapes, including rivers and wetlands, can be better managed to deliver ecosystem services that are critical for livelihoods and people’s well-being.Studies relate to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, soil and carbon, and climate change mitigation.
Key research areas focus on:identifying, mapping and quantifying ecosystem services; valuing and paying for ecosystem services; quantifying and evaluating trade-offs between services; and integrating ecological principles into the management of agriculture and novel ecosystems.
This theme also provides the focus for IWMI’s involvement in global environmental agreements such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Contact: Matthew McCartney (m.mccartney@cgiar.org)
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the