Mapping and assessment of ecosystem and their services An analytical framework for mapping and assessment of ecosystem condition

Are Europe's ecosystems healthy so that they can continue providing multiple ecosystem services in a sustainable way?  What defines healthy ecosystems?  What is ecosystem condition?  How to measure ecosystem condition? Dr. MAES

Key challenges for an analytical framework on ecosystem condition  Pressures - Ecosystem condition – Ecosystem Services  Integrating the EU environmental legislation (BD, HD, WFD, MSFD)  Policy relevant for other EU and national policies  Provide a basis for natural capital accounts  Mapping: spatially explicit  Measureable against a baseline condition (trends)

The MAES pilot approach Urban pilot Agroecosystem pilot Forest pilot Nature pilot Freshwater pilot Marine pilot Soil pilot  Single analytical framework but ecosystem-specific approach  Input from Member States and EU services  Cross fertilization among the pilots A consistent approach for measuring the condition of 12 different terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems covering the whole EU with special attention for biodiversity-based indicators, soil related indicators and "status" indicators

Ecosystem condition: the physical, chemical and biological condition or quality of an ecosystem at a particular point in time How do we measure ecosystem condition? What (how much) are the pressures? Structural measurements Functional measurements

Hierarchical structure and classification of pressure and condition indicators

5th MAES report on condition  Indicator tables per MAES ecosystem type (7 terrestrial types, 1 freshwater type and 4 marine types)  Key indicators (policy relevant + data available) per ecosystem type  Examples of policy narratives linking pressures, ecosystem condition and ecosystem services  Integration across ecosystem types for integrated ecosystem assessment

Key indicators Land take and conversion of ecosystems Urban Crop land Grass land Forest & woodland Heathland & shrub Sparse vegetation Wet land Rivers lakes Marine (4 types) Land take and conversion of ecosystems Nitrogen loading (nutrients) Invasive alien species Fragmentation Conservation status of habitats and species Coverage by Natura 2000 Soil Organic Carbon Noise AQ Temperature Urban green space HNV Organic farming Farmland birds Over harvesting Dead Wood Share of forest cover Over harvesting Ecological status MSDF descriptors

Links to other indicator frameworks and ensuring policy relevance  Streamlined with 19 specific (environmental) policies or existing indicator frameworks of the European Commission  SEBI: Streamlined European Biodiversity Indicators  AEI: Agri-Environment Indicators  MSFD descriptors  Sustainable development goals

POLICY OBJECTIVES (examples) Policy narratives Example: Urban ecosystems PRESSURES CONDITION ECOSYSTEM SERVICES POLICY OBJECTIVES (examples) Food provision in allotments Feed the growing urban population Land take Urban temperature Air quality Water provision Mitigate noise from traffic Air pollution Noise mitigation Noise levels Climate change mitigation and adaptation Carbon storage Water quality Local climate regulation Reduce the impact of heat waves Water pollution Soil sealing Removal of air pollutants % urban green space Provide a healthy environment Noise production Flood protection and water regulation % protected area Prevent flooding Species diversity Pollination Promote social inclusion Introduc- tions of IAS Available water capacity Nature-based recreation (access to green space) Increase recreation opportunities

POLICY OBJECTIVES (examples) Reduce the impact of heat waves Policy narratives Example: Urban ecosystems PRESSURES CONDITION ECOSYSTEM SERVICES POLICY OBJECTIVES (examples) Feed the growing urban population Land take Urban temperature Food in allotments Air quality Water Mitigate noise from traffic Air pollution Noise mitigation Noise levels Climate change mitigation and adaptation Carbon storage Water quality Local climate regulation Reduce the impact of heat waves Water pollution Soil sealing Removal of air pollutants % urban green space Provide a healthy environment Noise production Flood protection and water regulation % protected area Prevent flooding Species diversity Pollination Promote social inclusion Introduc- tions of IAS Available water capacity Nature-based recreation (access to green space) Increase recreation opportunities

Outlook and next steps  a comprehensive and consistent list of indicators for ecosystem condition for 'vertical' and 'horizontal' ecosystem assessment  Policy uses put different policy options/actions in an ecosystem perspective assess how policy actions have an impact on ecosystem condition assess the present situation; where to take action to enhance ecosystem condition and ESS (GI/restoration agenda) link ecosystem based approaches to other policies (e.g. CAP) provide a common framework for ecosystems under legally defined status definition and ecosystems not covered under legislation

Outlook and next steps  Next steps 2018: Testing the 'horizontal' framework (policy narratives) with case studies Testing the 'vertical' framework (specific ecosystems and services) 2019: An integrated ecosystem assessment (including ecosystem services) to support post-2020 Biodiversity policy framework