Developing peatland ecosystem accounts to guide targets for restoration

Abstract

The United Nations System of Environmental and Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) is a geospatial approach, whereby existing data on ecosystem stocks and flows are collated to show changes over time. The framework has been proposed as a means to track and monitor ecosystem restoration targets across the EU. Condition is a key consideration in the conservation assessment of habitats protected under the EU Habitats Directive and ecosystem condition accounts are also integral to the SEEA EA. While SEEA EA accounts have been developed at EU level for an array for ecosystem types, condition accounts remain the least developed. Collating available datasets under the SEEA EA framework, we developed extent and rudimentary condition accounts for peatland ecosystems at catchment scale in Ireland. Information relating to peatland ecosystem sub-types or habitat types was collated for peatland habitats listed under Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, as well as degraded peatlands not included in EU nature conservation networks. While data relating to peatland condition were limited, understanding changes in ecosystem extent and incorporating knowledge of habitat types and degradation served as a proxy for ecosystem condition in the absence of more comprehensive data. This highlighted the importance of the ecosystem extent account, which underpins all other accounts in the SEEA EA framework. Reflecting findings at EU level, drainage, disturbance and land conversion were identified as the main pressures affecting peatland condition. We highlighted a number of options to gather data to build more robust, time-series extent and condition accounts for peatlands at varying accounting scales. Overall, despite the absence of comprehensive data, bringing information under the SEEA EA framework is considered a good starting point, with the integration of expert ecological opinion considered essential to ensure development of reliable accounts, particularly when working at ecosystem sub-type (habitat type) and catchment scale.

Applying ecosystem accounting to develop a risk register for peatlands and inform restoration targets at catchment scale: a case study from the European region

“…All peatlands are considered in bad condition (with a declining trend). The basis for the assessment is outlined in Farrell et al (2021 c ).…”

“…Based on the assessment of stocks as being in bad condition (Farrell et al 2021 c ), and an assessment of ecosystem services, we allocated a RAG scoring to peatland flows in each catchment (Table 3). We also outlined potential restorative actions to reduce the impacts on and reduce negative and declining trends in flow, highlighting synergies between the SEEA EA and the SER Standards in Table 4.…”

“…The SEEA EA is specific about the definition of ecosystem condition as “the quality of an ecosystem measured in terms of its abiotic and biotic characteristics.” Quality is assessed with respect to ecosystem structure, function, and composition, which combine to underpin the ecological integrity of the ecosystem and, thereby, its capacity to supply ecosystem services (UNSD 2021). The SEEA EA outlines a three‐stage approach to developing condition accounts, recommending the use of traceable, dynamic ecosystem condition variables, as well as setting reference levels which allow for development of, and aggregation of, condition indicators within and across ecosystem types (UNSD 2021), though few examples beyond the first stage of condition accounting are reported (Farrell et al 2021 b , 2021 c ). At this stage of the accounting, maps and tables outlining asset condition are developed, often integrating disparate ancillary datasets relating to policy‐relevant pressures.…”

“…The condition of peatlands in both catchments is considered bad, based on structure and function being negatively impacted by drainage and bare peat exposure. Given past and ongoing pressures, all peatland types are at risk of not achieving reference condition levels unless active restoration measures are taken (Farrell et al 2021 c ).…”

“…Study catchment summary details with outline peatland extent, type, and condition account information developed under the SEEA EA framework (summarized fromFarrell et al 2021c). …”