Using science to create a better place – Ecosystem service case studies
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | Set of sites |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | United Kingdom |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
England |
Geographical scale of the assessment
Set of sites
Country or countries covered
United Kingdom
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
England
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
This report outlines the background, methods, findings and recommendations from a study into the application of ecosystem services in two case studies: the Tamar catchment and the Alkborough Flats managed realignment site. The purpose of these studies was to test the applicability and value of the ecosystems approach – management based on ecosystem services – for the Environment Agency. Both case studies were on historical schemes, acknowledging that further benefit could be derived from the ecosystems approach applied proactively to schemes in the planning or inception stage in order more effectively to engage appropriate stakeholders, frame problems, explore alternative solutions and agree priorities.
Mandate for the assessment
In 2007, Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) championed uptake of ecosystem services as a basis for more sustainable and inclusive policy formulation in England. Funded by the Environment Agency’s Science Programme, the two case studies in this report, one undertaken at catchment scale and the other at site scale, provide learning for the Environment Agency about the applicability of an ecosystems approach to its policies and other activities.
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA)
Economic valuation
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
System(s) assessed
- Inland water
Species groups assessed
Not limited to species assessment, but addressing wider impacts on ecosystem services. However, migratory water birds were a significant indicator of success as well as contributing to ecotourism values, and fish recruitment was also considered significant but not quantifiable.
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
- Food
- Water
- Timber/fibres
- Genetic resources
Regulating
- Air quality
- Climate regulation
- Moderation of extreme events
- Regulation of water flows
- Regulation of water quality
- Erosion prevention
Supporting Services/Functions
- Habitat maintenance
- Nutrient cycling
- Soil formation and fertility
- Primary production
- Water recycling
Cultural Services
- Recreation and tourism
- Navigation ; cultural heritage
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
No
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
No
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
No
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
No
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
Year assessment finished
2009
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
Periodicity of assessment
One off
Assessment outputs
Report(s)
Everard, M (2009) Using science to create a better place: Ecosystem services case studies. Better regulation science programme, Environment Agency. Bristol.
Using_science_to_create_a_better_place_-_ecosystem_services_case_studies_2009.pdf
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
This case study has been included in UK Government policy papers, in various conferences, in a review chapter in a book (Everard, M. 2012. 25. What have Rivers Ever Done for us? Ecosystem Services and River Systems. In: Boon, P.J. and Raven, P.J. (eds.) River Conservation and Management, Wiley, Chichester. pp.313-324), as posters in conferences, etc.
Journal publications
The case study has been recorded in various scientific publications including the report and communications materials outlined above.
Training materials
The case study is used in a variety of training materials within the Environment Agency, in learning materials used with the Government of South Africa, Blekinge Technical University (Karlskrona, Sweden) and the University of the West of England (UK).
Other documents/outputs
See the above
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Linked assumptions to real and surrogate markets to approximate economic values across all services, explicitly stating where double-counting has been avoided.
- As above
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
The leading organisations in managed realignment design were the Environment Agency and the local Wildlife Trust, who undertook extensive stakeholder engagement during project scoping and development to improve the design, process and outcomes.
Key stakeholder groups engaged
Local resident groups, farmer/former landowner, navigation interests
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Dr Mark Everard from the Environment Agency was brought in to consider the system outcomes for ecosystem services. Flood engineers from the Environment Agency were involved throughout.
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
Multiple, but none specifically was of overriding importance
Assessment reports peer reviewed
No
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
The uptake of the case study into Defra materials, the UK National Ecosystem Assessment and other publications demonstrates uptake into the policy environment
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
Yes
Part of the review chapter: Everard, M. 2012. 25. What have Rivers Ever Done for us? Ecosystem Services and River Systems. In: Boon, P.J. and Raven, P.J. (eds.) River Conservation and Management, Wiley, Chichester. pp.313-324.
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Optimisation of outcomes across ecosystem services can deliver cumulatively greater societal value than more fragmented approaches on an issue-by-issue basis.
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
The project itself was a major learning experience for the Defra, the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts, Natural England and all other participants.
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders
This is a slow process of organisation culture change, both case studies informing a wider transition.
Knowledge generation
Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment
Quantification of impacts on fish stocks need further research.
How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders
The report is transparent about methods and assumptions used, including gaps in knowledge.
