Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1093/biosci/biw101
Title (Primary) National ecosystem assessments in Europe: a review
Author Schröter, M.; Albert, C.; Marques, A.; Tobon, W.; Lavorel, S.; Maes, J.; Brown, C.; Klotz, S.; Bonn, A. ORCID logo
Source Titel BioScience
Year 2016
Department BZF; UPOL; iDiv; ESS
Volume 66
Issue 10
Page From 813
Page To 828
Language englisch
Keywords IPBES; ecosystem service mapping; quantification; boundary object; conservation
UFZ wide themes RU1
Abstract National ecosystem assessments form an essential knowledge base for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services. We analyze eight European (sub-)national ecosystem assessments (Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain, Norway, Flanders, Netherlands, Finland, and Germany) and compare their objectives, political context, methods, and operationalization. We observed remarkable differences in breadth of the assessment, methods employed, variety of services considered, policy mandates, and funding mechanisms. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are mainly assessed independently, with biodiversity conceptualized as underpinning services, as a source of conflict with services, or as a service in itself. Recommendations derived from our analysis for future ecosystem assessments include the needs to improve the common evidence base, to advance the mapping of services, to consider international flows of services, and to connect more strongly to policy questions. Although the context specificity of national ecosystem assessments is acknowledged as important, a greater harmonization across assessments could help to better inform common European policies and future pan-regional assessments.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17777
Schröter, M., Albert, C., Marques, A., Tobon, W., Lavorel, S., Maes, J., Brown, C., Klotz, S., Bonn, A. (2016):
National ecosystem assessments in Europe: a review
Bioscience 66 (10), 813 - 828 10.1093/biosci/biw101