Assessing ecosystem service potentials to evaluate terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystem types in Northern Germany

An expert-based matrix approach

authored by

Felix Müller, Sabine Bicking, Kai Ahrendt, Dang Kinh Bac, Irmgard Blindow, Christine Fuerst, Peter Haase, Marion Kruse, Tim Kruse, Liwei Ma, Marie Perennes, Ivana Ruljevic, Gerald Schernewski, Claus-Georg Schimming, Anik Schneiders, Hendrik Schubert, NoteJohanna Schumacher, Ulrike Tappeiner, Peter Wangai, Wilhelm Windhorst, Jakub Zeleny

Abstract

In this article, a revised and enlarged version of a qualitative assessment matrix for the appraisal of ecosystem service potentials is introduced. The product is a simple tool for scoring terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystem types with respect to their abilities to provide provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services as well as indicators of ecosystem state by applying criteria of ecosystem integrity. The methodological steps of matrix development are described, and the emerging expert opinions are illustrated by characterizing different ecosystem types, analysing different ecosystem services and showing the outcomes of linked GIS-based mapping exercises. The applicability of the matrix is demonstrated by some case studies. The related uncertainties are characterized and discussed in context with limitations, arising challenges and conceptual problems. The tool is made available on the internet, and the authors are looking forward to critical checks and proposals for improvement.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology
Physical Geography Group

External Organisation(s)

Kiel University
Company for Environment and Coast
VNU University of Science (VNU-HUS)
University of Greifswald
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum (SGN)
University of Duisburg-Essen
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
Research Institute Nature and Forest (INBO)
University of Rostock
University of Innsbruck
Eurac Research
Kenyatta University (KU)
Czech Academy of Sciences

Type

Article

Journal

Ecological indicators

Volume

112

ISSN

1470-160X

Publication date

05.2020

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Decision Sciences(all), Ecology

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 14 - Life Below Water, SDG 15 - Life on Land, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106116 (Access: Open)