ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Nature is more than just protected species and habitats; it provides numerous ecosystem services. Ecosystem services (often called nature benefits) encompass all direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human well-being. While we use some of them daily (e.g. food and drinking water), others often go unnoticed – such as carbon capture, water storage, flood protection, air purification, climate regulation, pollination, soil and nutrient formation.
The relevance and value of the concept for site managers was recognised early on at Eurosite. In 2013, our Economics and Ecosystem Services (EES) working group was formed and continues to meet regularly throughout the year, organising annual workshops or webinars. So far, three leaflets were published by the working group. In the first one, we introduced the concept of ecosystem services, its content and meaning. The second one is focused on mapping and assessment of ecosystem services. In the third leaflet, we introduce ecosystem accounting and elaborate on the monetary valuation of ecosystem services.
Our newest objective is to provide training for site managers and local (regional) authorities responsible for managing natural areas, which will enable them to use existing knowledge and tools on the ecosystem services and translate them into their daily working practice.
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