Assessment objectives

To provide scientific information concerning the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and options for responding to those changes.

Mandate for the assessment

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was called for by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2000. Initiated in 2001, the objective of the MA was to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and the scientific basis for action needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of those systems and their contribution to human well-being. The MA has involved the work of more than 1,360 experts worldwide. Their findings, contained in five technical volumes and six synthesis reports, provide a state-of-the-art scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services they provide (such as clean water, food, forest products, flood control, and natural resources) and the options to restore, conserve or enhance the sustainable use of ecosystems.

Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA)

URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted

The MA framework can be downloaded from http://www.unep.org/maweb/en/Framework.aspx#download

System(s) assessed

Species groups assessed

Provisioning

• Food
• Water
• Timber/fibres
• Genetic resources
• Medicinal resources
• Ornamental resources
• Energy/fuel

Regulating

• Air quality
• Climate regulation
• Moderation of extreme events
• Regulation of water flows
• Regulation of water quality
• Waste treatment
• Erosion prevention
• Pollination
• Pest and disease control

Supporting Services/Functions

• Habitat maintenance
• Nutrient cycling
• Soil formation and fertility
• Primary production

Cultural Services

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

Year assessment started

2001

Year assessment finished

2005

If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish

Periodicity of assessment

One off

Website(s)

http://maweb.org/

Report(s)

Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)

See http://www.unep.org/maweb/en/GraphicResources.aspx

Journal publications

Training materials

Other documents/outputs

Tools and approaches used in the assessment

Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component

Stakeholder involvement in the assessment began at the Board level, but the actual preparation of the global assessments included limited stakeholder input, depending instead on the peer-reviewed scientific literature and the perspectives of contributors from many countries.

Key stakeholder groups engaged

Stakeholder involvement in the assessment began at the Board level, but the actual preparation of the global assessments included limited stakeholder input, depending instead on the peer-reviewed scientific literature and the perspectives of contributors from many countries.

The number of people directly involved in the assessment process

More than 1000

Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge

Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment

Assessment reports peer reviewed

No

Accessibility of data used in assessment

The data used by the assessment came primarily from the peer-reviewed literature. Key definitions came from various sources, with the Convention on Biological Diversity providing those for “biodiversity”, and “invasive alien species”, among others. Biodiversity, as defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity, does not, however, lend itself to quantification, making data collection difficult, except for some components of biodiversity. Data at the species level are drawn from the scientific literature, which is fairly complete for vertebrates and some groups of plants and invertebrates; but no comprehensive list of species of plants has yet been agreed, and insects and micro-organisms remain poorly known. Data on responses, such as establishment of protected areas, are much better known and are included in the Global Biodiversity Outlook and other such documents.

Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions

Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment

No

Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews

The assessment’s policy impact has not yet been fully assessed, and indeed may not be known for many years. The assessment has, however, been presented at numerous meetings, including those of the conferences of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention. Its conceptual framework and its associated subglobal assessments – often with national or local funding – indicate that the approach has been widely welcomed. The attention paid to ecosystem services by the proposed intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services is another example of the assessment’s influence. In addition, many countries have incorporated the concept of ecosystem services into their national policies, including developing systems of payments for ecosystem services (for example, China, Costa Rica and the United States).

Capacity building needs identified during the assessment

Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity

How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders

Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment

How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders