National Ecosystem Assessments in Europe: A Review

Schröter, Matthias; Albert, Christian; Marques, Alexandra; Tobón, Wolke; Lavorel, Sandra; Maes, Joachim; Brown, Claire; Klotz, Stefan; Bonn, Aletta

doi:10.1093/biosci/biw101

Cited by 100 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…To this end, several national ecosystem assessments have been carried out under the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework (Millenium Assessment 2003). However, these are context-specific, and insufficiently harmonized to inform European policies (Schröter et al 2016). For instance, the Portuguese national ecosystem assessment (Pereira et al 2009) is composed of several dispersed case studies and does not include a national assessment at country level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem services and biodiversity trends in Mozambique as a consequence of land cover change

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Rodrigues

et al. 2017

International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Servic

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The incorporation of ecosystem services (ES) information in planning decisions is an important factor in the sustainable use of natural resources. However, studies assessing the levels and changes of these services at national level are rare. In this paper, we estimate past and future changes in multiple ES and biodiversity, as a consequence of land cover change (LCC) in Mozambique. Water yield, water quality, erosion regulation, climate regulation, and biodiversity were modeled using a spatially explicit approach. Changes in ES and biodiversity were mapped at province level between 2005 and 2009. Through the use of a land change model, land cover was projected for 2025, and the resulting impacts on ES and biodiversity were estimated. We found a moderate increase in climate regulating service between 2005 and 2009. However, water quality (nutrient retention) and biodiversity decreased. LCC for 2025 is expected to have a similar impact on these ES. This study contributes with a methodology that can be useful for monitoring ES and assist decision policies affecting ES provision and trade-offs. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem services and biodiversity trends in Mozambique as a consequence of land cover change

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Cabral

Rodrigues

et al. 2017

International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Servic

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“…; Schröter et al . ). This implementation gap contrasts strongly with assessment efforts in the European Union, where ecosystem services are being comprehensively assessed in conjunction with ecological condition for all Member States as part of the European Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (Maes et al .…”

Section: Multi‐decadal Trends In Assessment Types and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Past, present, and future of ecological integrity assessment for fresh waters

Kuehne

Olden

Strecker

et al. 2017

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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One of the most influential environmental laws in the US – the 1972 Clean Water Act – included the visionary objective of maintaining and restoring aquatic ecological integrity. However, the efficacy of the Act depends on how integrity is assessed. Reviewing the assessment literature for fresh waters over the past 40 years, we found evidence of methodological trends toward increased repeatability, transferability, and robustness of assessments over time. However, implementation gaps were revealed, based on the relatively weak linkages to freshwater policies, stakeholder involvement, emerging threats, and conservation opportunities. A related survey of assessment practitioners underscored the disparity between need versus availability of assessments that guide management policies. Technological changes in data collection and synthesis have clearly influenced assessments, and appear to have led to a reduced reliance on ecological response indicators and corresponding increases in stressor‐based metrics. We recommend designing assessments around specific freshwater policies and regulations to improve applicability of assessment products for management and conservation.

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“…Although following different conceptual frameworks, most mapping studies have started to distinguish between ES potential (or capacity), flow and demand (Syrbe et al 2017, Villamagna et al 2013, as well as benefits (Bastian et al 2012). Comprehensive national ecosystem assessments have already been provided by various EU member states such as the United Kingdom (UK NEA 2011), Spain , the Netherlands (De Knegt 2014), France (Ministère de l'Environnement, de l'Énergie, et de la Mer 2015) and Portugal (Pereira et al 2009) (see also Schröter et al 2016). The latter includes ecosystem assessment profiles with scenario building available for the EU outermost region of the Azores (Borges et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hotspots of biodiversity and ecosystem services: the Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union

Sieber¹,

Borges²,

Burkhard³

2018

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The obligations of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 create a need for mapping and assessment of the state of biodiversity, ecosystems and their services in all European member states. Europe's nine Outermost Regions (ORs) and 25 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) are mainly islands, scattered around the globe. These territories contain unique flora and fauna and encompass diverse ecosystems, from coral reefs to rainforests. These highly diverse ecosystems provide multiple relevant ecosystem services from local to global scale. To date, the ecosystem services concept has so far received little attention in European ORs and OCTs. Therefore, our aims were (1) to analyse the current state of ecosystem services mapping and assessment in Europe's overseas territories, (2) to identify knowledge gaps in the context of ecosystem service research and application and (3) to provide recommendations for future research and policy directions to fill these gaps. We conducted a systematic review of scientific literature for each of the ORs and OCTs, screening 1030 publications. The analysis resulted in 161 publications referring to ES mapping and assessment, of which most were conducted in the European Caribbean spots in terms of ecosystem service mapping and assessment and that, despite many biodiversity studies referring to species' abundance, little has been published on ecosystem services. Our systematic review highlights theknowledge lacking on dealing with invasive species, which pose major threats to native island biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services. Further, it discusses knowledge gaps in (1) translation of information on island biodiversity and ecosystem functions into ES; (2) geographical coverage of mapping studies in most ORs and OCTs; (3) the lack of standardised approaches and integrated assessments to map, assess and value ecosystem services. Based on these results, future research and policy priorities could be adapted in order to focus on filling these gaps. To overcome current environmental policy challenges, it is crucial to address the ongoing decline in biodiversity, rising climatic and anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems and to maintain a sustainable ES flow to safeguard human well-being. Ultimately, ES mapping and assessment efforts will form the knowledge base for wellinformed decision-making to protect Europe's vulnerable overseas areas.

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National Ecosystem Assessments in Europe: A Review

Cited by 100 publications

References 34 publications

Ecosystem services and biodiversity trends in Mozambique as a consequence of land cover change

Ecosystem services and biodiversity trends in Mozambique as a consequence of land cover change

Past, present, and future of ecological integrity assessment for fresh waters

Hotspots of biodiversity and ecosystem services: the Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union

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