Improving ecosystem assessments in Mediterranean social-ecological systems: a DPSIR analysis

Abstract

Social-ecological systems in the Mediterranean Basin are characterised by high biodiversity and a prolonged cultural influence, leading to the co-evolution of these systems. The unique characteristics of Mediterranean social-ecological systems, current pressures leading to a decline in ecosystem services, and the need for coordinated action are recognised by policies promoting the protection and sustainable use of the region's heritage. Ecosystem assessments provide valuable information on the capacity of the Mediterranean Basin to ensure the wellbeing of its population. However, most assessments simplify the complexity of these systems, which may lead to inaccurate ecosystem services supply and flow estimations. This paper uses the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model to guide an expert consultation that identifies the key characteristics of the Mediterranean social-ecological systems and analyses how these should be included in ecosystem assessments. Data collection was carried out through expert consultation with ecosystem services researchers. Multiple sources of complexity were identified, including the relationship between historical human activities, biodiversity spatio-temporal patterns, as well as the seasonal and long-term variability in ecosystem services. The importance of incorporating this complexity in ecosystem assessments for evidence-based decision-making is identified, suggesting that there is a need to adapt assessment approaches for the Mediterranean Basin social-ecological systems.

Incorporating the Ecological, Socio-economic and Institutional Conceptual Model Framework for Sustainable Management of Small-scale Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) Fishery in Western Seram Regency, Indonesia

“…To simplify the interaction and connectivity among variables in the conceptual model framework, only two variables from each dimension with high sensitivity were used to construct the model. Two variables with the highest Root Mean Square (RMS) values from ecology, social-economy, and institutional dimension were then used as State variables of DPSIR to construct a conceptual model framework for the management instruments (Díaz et al, 2018;Balzan et al, 2019). Driving forces (D) can be a physical, chemical, or biological factor that causes a change in the system which in this study is the mud crab fishery.…”

“…DPSIR framework is also seen as a useful adaptive management tool for analyzing and identifying solutions to environmental problems (Gari et al, 2015). DPSIR has found broad application in environmental assessments of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to its ability to improve communication between policymakers, stakeholders, and scientists facilitating collaborative model development (Kelble et al, 2013;Zador et al, 2017;Díaz et al, 2018;Balzan et al, 2019;Mozumder et al, 2019).…”

Residents’ Views on Landscape and Ecosystem Services during a Wind Farm Proposal in an Island Protected Area

“…There have been persistent proposals for increasing protected area conservation effectiveness [24], landscape-scale stewardship and long-term visioning [112,113]. In a changing rural-urban dynamic in Europe and the Mediterranean, protected areas call for an improved understanding of diversified social demands [35,86,87]. This is also in line with a protected area paradigm shift promoting holistic natural-cultural heritage conservation approaches [25,114].…”

A Field Method for Landscape Conservation Surveying: The Landscape Assessment Protocol (LAP)

“…However, there is high certainty and documentation that in the Mediterranean coastal areas, the issue of landscape degradation is very high on the list of the most serious modern anthropogenic changes to nature and cultural heritage [5,30,53,54]. Landscape assessment in the wider region remains underutilized in planning and conservation practice [34,65] and in contrast to other European regions, the Mediterranean countries have also lagged behind in effective landscape conservation and restoration [5,11]. For these reasons, conservation-relevant assessment methods, such as LAP, could provide a useful vehicle for concerted landscape conservation action in this region and in other regions, where traditional cultural landscapes are rapidly changing and facing multiple threats.…”