This manual briefly describes the framework of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). The MA clearly links ecosystem well-being to human well-being and presents the major threats imposed by human activitiesto the services that ecosystems provide. The book also gives snapshot views of ecosystem well-being and human well-being in Asia and a brief overview of selected ecosystems in the region. Clarification of the difference between natural hazards and natural disasters and a discussion on risk and vulnerability, are presented. Climate change and its impacts on natural disasters is also discussed. This document was produced under the project ‘Rehabilitating coastal ecosystems in a post-tsunami context: Consolidation Phase’ carried out with financial support from the Autonomous Organisation for National Parks (OrganismoAutónomoParquesNacionales - OAPN) of the Ministry of Environment of Spain.