Integrating Plant Diversity Data into Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem and Their Services (MAES) Implementation in Greece: Woodland and Forest Pilot

Abstract

Research Highlights: This is the first approach that integrates biodiversity data into Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem and their Services (MAES) implementation and natural capital accounting process, at the national scale, using an extensive vascular plant dataset for Greece. Background and Objectives: The study aims to support the MAES implementation in Greece, by assessing, as a pilot, the woodland and forest ecosystem type; the targets of the study are: (a) Identify and map ecosystem type extent; (b) identify ecosystem condition using biodiversity in terms of plant species richness (i.e., total, ecosystem exclusive, endemic, ecosystem exclusive endemic diversity); (c) develop ecosystem asset proxy indicators by combining ecosystem extent and ecosystem condition outcomes; (d) identify shortcomings; and (e) propose future steps and implications for the MAES implementation and natural capital accounting, based on biodiversity data. Materials and Methods: Following the national European Union’s and United Nations System of Environmental Economic Accounts-Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EEA) guidelines and the adopted National Set of MAES Indicators, we developed a set of four proxy ecosystem asset indicators to assess ecosystem types with respect to ecosystem area extent and ecosystem condition. This was as interpreted by its plant diversity in terms of species richness (total, ecosystem exclusive, endemic, and ecosystem exclusive endemic diversity). Results: The results revealed that when indicators use well-developed biodiversity datasets, in combination with ecosystem extent data, they can provide the baseline for ecosystem condition assessment, ecosystem asset delineation, and support operational MAES studies. Conclusions: The relation among biodiversity, ecosystem condition, and ecosystem services is not a linear equation and detailed, fine-scale assessments are needed to identify and interpret all aspects of biodiversity. However, areas of importance are pinpointed throughout Greece, and guidance is provided for case-study selection, conservation strategy, and decision-making under the perspective of national and EU environmental policies.

Linking Taxonomic, Phylogenetic and Functional Plant Diversity with Ecosystem Services of Cliffs and Screes in Greece

“…Plant taxa on cliffs and screes are an integral component of sparsely vegetated ecosystems, and the value they provide in terms of services should be included in ecosystem assessments [ 76 ]. The subsequent development of proxy indicators, such as plant diversity [ 9 ], adds value to the adopted scheme for use and further development of the National Set of MAES Indicators in Greece [ 3 ]. Based on the requirements for the MAES implementation in Greece [ 3 , 77 ] and the indicator framework on ecosystem condition assessment [ 78 ], the results of the study provide the baseline information for ES assessments at sparsely vegetated land of cliffs and screes and guide thematically and spatially further efforts and assessments.…”

“…Within the conceptual framework of mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services (MAES) [ 1 ], various studies on ecosystem services (ES) of different ecosystem types, from the local to national level, have been conducted in Greece (e.g., [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]). The Life Integrated Project with the acronym “LIFE-IP 4 NATURA”, led by the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, incorporates MAES implementation Actions at the local and national level [ 10 ].…”

National Park and UNESCO Global Geopark of Chelmos-Vouraikos (Greece): Floristic Diversity, Ecosystem Services and Management Implications

“…It is in line with the requirements of indicator development under the National Set of MAES Indicators in Greece [17], corresponding to a local-scale assessment for the CVNP flora and ecosystem types and provides spatially informed data via thematic mapping to support decision and policy making. More precisely, the current study deals with: (a) the floristic diversity indicator (IB2) and its subcategory of endemic diversity (see also [18,19]); (b) the ecosystem types' diversity and extent, a proposed indicator as a subcategory of total biodiversity indicator (IB5); (c) ecosystem condition; and (d) current and potential ecosystem services supply.…”

National Ecosystem Services Assessment in Hungary: Framework, Process and Conceptual Questions

“…Ecosystem mappings within Europe often rely on Corine Land Cover and are thus of much coarser spatial resolution [20,22,62]. As the less detailed spatial and thematic resolution limit their usability for management and planning, many of the member states have recently created new ecosystem maps to serve as a basis for ES assessments (e.g., [63][64][65]).…”