Marine and coastal ecosystem services on the science–policy–practice nexus: challenges and opportunities from 11 European case studies.

authored by

Evangelia Drakou, Charlène Kermagoret, Camino Liquete, Ana Ruiz-Frau, Kremena Burkhard, Ana I. Lillebø, Alexander P.E. Van Oudenhoven, Johanna Ballé-Béganton, João Rodrigues Garcia, Emmi Nieminen, Soile Oinonen, Alex Ziemba, Elena Gissi, Daniel Depellegrin, Kristina Veidemane, Anda Ruskule, Justine Delangue, Anne Böhnke-Henrichs, Arjen Boon, Richard Wenning, Simone Martino, Berit Hasler, Mette Termansen, Mark Rockel, Herman Hummel, Ghada El Serafy, Plamen Peev

Abstract

We compared and contrasted 11 European case studies to identify challenges and opportunities toward the operationalization of marine and coastal ecosystem service (MCES) assessments in Europe. This work is the output of a panel convened by the Marine Working Group of the Ecosystem Services Partnership in September 2016. The MCES assessments were used to (1) address multiple policy objectives simultaneously, (2) interpret EU-wide policies to smaller scales and (3) inform local decision-making. Most of the studies did inform decision makers, but only in a few cases, the outputs were applied or informed decision-making. Significant limitations among the 11 assessments were the absence of shared understanding of the ES concept, data and knowledge gaps, difficulties in accounting for marine social-ecological systems complexity and partial stakeholder involvement. The findings of the expert panel call for continuous involvement of MCES ‘end users’, integrated knowledge on marine social-ecological systems, defining thresholds to MCES use and raising awareness to the general public. Such improvements at the intersection of science, policy and practice are essential starting points toward building a stronger science foundation supporting management of European marine ecosystems.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Environmental Planning

External Organisation(s)

International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation - ITC
Universite de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO)
European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC)
University of Aveiro
Wageningen University and Research
Leiden University
Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
Iuav University of Venice
National Research Council Italy (CNR)
Mykolas Romeris University
Estonian University of Life Sciences
University of Latvia
Baltic Environmental Forum-Latvia BEF-LV
Foundation for Sustainable Development

Type

Article

Journal

International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management

Volume

13

Pages

51-67

No. of pages

17

ISSN

2151-3732

Publication date

29.11.2017

Publication status

Published

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law, Ecology

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 14 - Life Below Water

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2017.1417330 (Access: Open)