An operational framework for integrated Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES)

By

Burkhard, Benjamin
Santos-Martín, Fernando
Nedkov, Stoyan
Maes, Joachim

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2018-3-14

Original Publication

One ecosystem : ecology and sustainability data journal

Volume

3

Pages

1--13

Subjects

ecosystem services , EU policy , Integrated assessment , MAES , stakeholder

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.3.e22831

 

Abstract

Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) are central to the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. Action 5 of the Strategy’s second target asks all EU member states to map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in their national territories. Such comprehensive mapping and assessment builds on several individual tasks and their systematic integration. Therefore, an integrated and operational framework is needed, supporting and coordinating these activities. The presented framework builds on existing work done by the European Commission’s MAES Working Group and provides a clear nine-step approach including the identification of relevant questions or themes to be addressed, identification and mapping of ecosystem types, ecosystem condition and ecosystem services, their integration and dissemination of results. This framework can be used to set-up related research and development initiatives and to guide involved scientists, decision-makers and practitioners through the different steps and related tasks of the process.