Mapping ecosystem services provided by benthic habitats in the European North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The mapping and assessment of the ecosystem services provided by benthic habitats is a highly valuable source of information for understanding their current and potential benefits to society. The main objective of this research is to assess and map the ecosystem services provided by benthic habitats in the European North Atlantic Ocean, in the context of the "Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services" (MAES) programme, the European Biodiversity Strategy and the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). In total, 62 habitats have been analyzed in relation to 12 ecosystem services over 1.7 million km 2 . Results indicated that more than 90% of the mapped area provides biodiversity maintenance and food provision services; meanwhile, grounds providing reproduction and nursery services are limited to half of the mapped area. Benthic habitats generally provide more services closer to shore-rather than offshore-and in shallower waters. This gradient is likely to be explained by difficult access (i.e., distance and depth) and lack of scientific knowledge for most of the services provided by distant benthic habitats. This research has provided a first assessment of the benthic ecosystem services on the Atlantic-European scale, with the provision of ecosystem services maps and their general spatial distribution patterns. Regarding the objectives of this research, conclusions are: (i) benthic habitats provide a diverse set of ecosystem services, being the food provision, with biodiversity maintenance services more extensively represented. In addition, other regulating and cultural services are provided in a more limited area; and (ii) the ecosystem services assessment categories are significantly related to the distance to the coast and to depth (higher near the coast and in shallow waters).

On the Use of Maps and Models in Conservation and Resource Management (Warning: Results May Vary)

“…They have become key for data integration and synthesis to inform decision-making in a variety of contexts (Costello, 2014); in a meta-analysis of marine conservation planning approaches, Leslie (2005) identified that 24 of the 27 cases examined used maps to make decisions. Biodiversity hotspots Bedulli et al, 2002;Allen, 2008 Ecosystem services Galparsoro et al, 2014;Outeiro et al, 2015 Uses of marine resources Buhl-Mortensen et al, 2015;Hossain et al, 2016 Threats to biodiversity Andersen et al, 2004;Harris, 2012 While the ability of maps and models to communicate relevant information about current and predicted states of the environment makes them ideal candidates in any attempt to (re)connect decision-making with science, how do we know that these spatial decision-support tools are conveying the right information? In fact, maps and models have downsides and their use in conservation and policy-making should be carefully examined (Reiss et al, 2015).…”

The Economics of Marine Litter

“…Furthermore, even though there is a growing interest in ecosystem services (Costanza et al 1997;MA 2005;TEEB 2010TEEB , 2011 little research has been done to date on the economic cost of marine litter on ecosystem service provision. Having said this, evaluations of marine ecosystem services, which are estimated at €16.5 trillion in one study (Costanza et al 1997), suggest that even fractional deterioration in provision would represent a significant cost (Beaumont et al 2007;Galparsoro et al 2014).…”

Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Science in Assessing the Health Status of Marine Ecosystems

“…Numerous DEVOTES studies demonstrated the value of combining seabed geological information with biological variables (e.g., Galparsoro et al, 2013Galparsoro et al, , 2014. However, whilst multiple needs drive the collection of such geological data (e.g., safety of navigation, renewable energy infrastructure, planning), mapping the entire marine area will require considerable time (although perhaps less than a decade with existing capabilities).…”