Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Framework

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Questions and Answers

What is the name of the EU project that developed the ecosystem assessment framework discussed in the abstract?

ESMERALDA

What is the primary focus of the ecosystem assessment framework, according to the abstract?

Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services (MAES)

Name two initiatives that the presented framework draws inspiration from.

The MAES (2014) and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2010)

What specific aspect of the framework is highlighted as crucial for policy relevance?

The inclusion of social and economic factors Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the consultation process during the development of the framework?

To guide the development and gather input from experts Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected outcome of the online consultation effort?

Collecting good practice examples and providing information about guidance development Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of the framework and its accompanying guidance?

To contribute to a final guidance tool for ecosystem assessment Signup and view all the answers

What kind of license is the article published under?

Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the ESMERALDA project?

The ESMERALDA project aims to support EU member states in achieving Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, which focuses on improving knowledge of ecosystems and their services within the EU. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the key elements of the refined framework developed by ESMERALDA for integrated ecosystem assessments.

The refined framework has three key elements: 1) inclusion of social and economic factors beyond traditional biophysical assessments, 2) a structured approach that integrates mapping at the heart of activities, and 3) flexibility for users to select and integrate components based on their specific needs. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of 'integration' within the context of the ESMERALDA framework.

'Integration' refers to bringing together distinct parts and combining them into a whole. In this framework, integration occurs at different levels within an assessment to connect biophysical, socio-cultural, and economic elements. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to embed assessment activities within the decision-making process?

Embedding assessment activities within the decision-making process ensures policy relevance. It allows for comparing land use and management options, framing ideas in new ways, and strengthening links between science and policy. Signup and view all the answers

How does the ESMERALDA framework contribute to the MAES (Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services) process?

The ESMERALDA framework furthers the MAES process by clearly outlining the role of spatial analysis in ecosystem assessments. It emphasizes the importance of mapping, a fundamental aspect of both MAES and ESMERALDA. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate aim of achieving Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020?

The ultimate aim is to maintain and restore ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the benefits of bringing together different stakeholders in ecosystem assessments.

Bringing together different stakeholders fosters collaboration, facilitates the comparison of land use and management options, and promotes the development of policy-relevant findings. Signup and view all the answers

How does the ESMERALDA framework help to bridge the gap between science and policy?

By integrating social and economic factors alongside biophysical assessments, the framework allows for a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem services. This interdisciplinary approach strengthens the linkage between science and policy, informing decision-making based on evidence and stakeholder perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the key steps involved in the iterative process used to develop the final ESMERALDA framework, highlighting the role of consultation in this process.

The final ESMERALDA framework was refined through an iterative process involving internal consultation within the project team, workshops in Madrid, Plovdiv, and Trento, and feedback from assessment practitioners focusing on the integration of different aspects within the assessment cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What specific questions were asked during the consultation process to gather feedback on the ESMERALDA framework?

Participants were specifically asked about where integration should take place during the assessment process and how an integrated ecosystem assessment differs from a non-integrated one. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two key modifications made to the ESMERALDA framework based on feedback received from the consultation process.

Based on consultation feedback, the ESMERALDA framework was amended by adding a more comprehensive scoping stage and enhancing clarity on integrating spatial and non-spatial elements, while ensuring its value to decision-makers and showcasing flexibility in incorporating diverse components. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the ESMERALDA framework aims to assist practitioners in the broader landscape of ecosystem assessment activities.

The ESMERALDA framework, as an extended version of Burkhard et al.'s work, offers a comprehensive understanding of the entire assessment cycle by integrating different activities to answer specific policy-relevant questions. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of the ESMERALDA IEA framework in the integration of various aspects within the assessment process.

The ESMERALDA framework addresses the integration of various elements within the assessment process by identifying crucial decision points where integration should occur, promoting the integration of biophysical, economic, and social components, and emphasizing flexibility in its application. Signup and view all the answers

How does the ESMERALDA framework reflect the need for policy relevance in ecosystem assessments?

The ESMERALDA framework prioritizes policy relevance by emphasizing the importance of aligning assessment activities with specific policy-relevant questions and ensuring that the framework is directly applicable for decision-makers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of the ESMERALDA framework and its accompanying guidance in terms of promoting better understanding among assessment practitioners?

The framework aims to promote a shared understanding of what integration means for assessment practitioners, using the accompanying guidance to clarify the concept and its practical implications. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between the ESMERALDA framework and the MAES activities, as described in the abstract.

The ESMERALDA framework is presented as an expanded version of Burkhard et al.'s work, and its goal is to integrate ESMERALDA and MAES activities within a broader understanding of the assessment cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge in comparing ecosystem assessments across Europe?

The level, stage, and definition of integration are not uniform or clear. Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment framework integrates socio-economic parameters and human well-being?

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant method used during the development of the ESMERALDA IEA framework?

Extensive stakeholder consultation was conducted. Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation served as a basis for the ESMERALDA integrated ecosystem assessment framework?

It is an adaptation of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) framework. Signup and view all the answers

What are two key features of the MAES framework in ecosystem assessments?

It highlights ecosystem condition affected by pressures and focuses on spatial elements. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'integration' refer to in the context of ecosystem assessment?

It can refer to the inclusion of stakeholders or various elements within the assessment process. Signup and view all the answers

Which countries contributed examples of best practice for the ESMERALDA framework?

Finland, Flanders, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the UK. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Burkhard framework emphasize in ecosystem assessments?

It articulates the inclusion of ecosystem condition, often overlooked in assessments. Signup and view all the answers

What does the ESMERALDA IEA framework start with, and why is it important?

The ESMERALDA IEA framework begins with the mandate or intended goal for the ecosystem assessment, which is important because it supports the implementation of the assessment findings. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the significance of the scoping process in the ESMERALDA IEA framework.

The scoping process is significant as it allows for the identification of policy-relevant questions and the desired governance structure through a multi-stakeholder process. Signup and view all the answers

What types of data integration are emphasized in the assessment process?

The assessment process emphasizes the integration of both spatial and non-spatial data, which helps in understanding trade-offs, synergies, and consequences for human well-being. Signup and view all the answers

How does the ESMERALDA IEA framework address stakeholder interests?

The framework addresses stakeholder interests by allowing different views to be tabled during the scoping process, ensuring that assessments respond to varying concerns. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of integration within the assessment according to the framework?

The ultimate goal of integration within the assessment is to bring together all parts of the assessment to identify key messages or an overall narrative. Signup and view all the answers

At what stages do practitioners typically integrate ecosystem mapping and ecosystem service values?

Practitioners typically undertake ecosystem mapping and ecosystem service values as separate activities, integrating them at a subsequent stage of the assessment process. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the identification of trade-offs play in ecosystem assessments?

The identification of trade-offs plays a critical role in understanding the consequences of decisions on human well-being and ecosystem health. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how scenarios and policy responses are used in the assessment process.

Scenarios and policy responses provide context and additional insights, complementing the information gathered from spatial and non-spatial data. Signup and view all the answers

How does stakeholder inclusion impact ecosystem assessment within decision-making?

Including stakeholders enhances the relevance and effectiveness of ecosystem assessments in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the integration of different data sources play in the IEA framework?

Integrating different data sources improves the robustness and comprehensiveness of the integrated ecosystem assessment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the ESMERALDA project’s specific objectives in the context of the IEA framework?

The ESMERALDA project's objectives provide a focused approach to developing the integrated ecosystem assessment framework. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the IEA framework aid assessment practitioners?

The framework helps practitioners identify necessary integration activities to address policy-relevant questions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the framework suggest about the future development of integrated ecosystem assessments?

The framework indicates that integrated ecosystem assessments will require further development for continued relevance post-2020. Signup and view all the answers

Who contributed significantly to the development of the ESMERALDA framework?

Marion Potschin-Young and Roy Haines-Young made invaluable contributions to the framework's development. Signup and view all the answers

What does the IEA framework articulate regarding the various elements of the assessment process?

The framework clearly defines the different components necessary for conducting an integrated ecosystem assessment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the IEA framework according to the ESMERALDA project?

The purpose of the framework is to enhance understanding and implementation of integrated ecosystem assessments. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

A Conceptual Framework for Integrated Ecosystem Assessment

This short communication presents an ecosystem assessment framework developed within ESMERALDA, a Horizon2020-funded EU project.
The framework aims to deliver a flexible methodology for pan-European and regional Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services (MAES).
The framework is closely aligned with assessment frameworks from the MAES (2014) and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2010) initiatives.
Mapping is central to the ecosystem assessment process within both MAES and ESMERALDA.
The framework emphasizes the inclusion of social and economic factors for policy relevance.
Consultation with existing ecosystem assessment practitioners in Europe guided the framework development.
Online consultation will gather good practice examples.
A final guidance tool is expected at the end of the ESMERALDA project.

Introduction

The ESMERALDA project aims to support EU member states in achieving Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020.
This action focuses on improving knowledge of ecosystems and their services in the EU.
The project's objective is to deliver tools for regional assessments (pan-European and regional).
The framework further develops the MAES process by defining the role of spatial analysis within ecosystem assessments.
The framework has three key elements: 1) identifies activities not traditionally part of biophysical ecosystem assessments, 2) provides a better structure for how activities fit with biophysical assessments, 3) offers a flexible approach.

The ESMERALDA Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Framework

The framework is conceptually simplified and focuses on the core assessment activities (implementation and peer review).
The framework identifies mapping, ecosystem condition assessment, and ecosystem services assessment as principal activities.
It emphasizes integration amongst these different elements.
A crucial aspect is integrating different biophysical, socio-cultural, and economic components.
The process will lead to policy-relevant findings.
The framework details the iterative process used for development including internal and external consultation.
It considers the needs of policy-makers and stakeholders.
The framework and guidance are developed through stakeholder consultation.
The framework details the need for a clear mandate, scoping of the assessment, and identifying ecosystem types for assessment.
The framework contains steps for assessing ecosystem condition, ecosystem services and how these changes affect the values held by different groups.

Conclusion

The ecosystem assessment framework considers the integration of concepts within the assessment process.
The framework addresses policy relevant questions.
The framework is developed based on existing initiatives like MA, IPBES and MAES.
Ongoing stakeholder consultation helped refine the framework.
The framework provides an adaptable tool for ecosystem assessment relevant to EU Member States.

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Description

Explore the ecosystem assessment framework developed under the ESMERALDA project, aimed at enhancing the Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services across Europe. This framework incorporates social and economic dimensions, ensuring policy relevance while gathering good practices for future guidance. Understand how it aligns with key assessment initiatives for comprehensive ecosystem evaluation.