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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. Hierarchical structure and classification of pressure and condition indicators

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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