1 About ecosystem services
Objectives of this section
Demonstrate an understanding of the key terms and concepts around biodiversity, socio-ecosystems, ecosystem services, environment and sustainability.
Identify the direct and indirect drivers and causes for biodiversity, ecosystem and ecosystem services changes and impacts, and the impacts and dependency of society on ecosystem services.
Understand the link between ecosystem services and wider sustainability issues.
This introductory chapter presents WHY the Ecosystem Services Approach has evolved, WHAT ecosystem services are and HOW the Ecosystem Services Approach proposes assessments and valuations aimed to support sustainable marine and coastal management. The background of the approach and different existing frameworks and examples of applications in marine areas are presented here, as well as the limitations encountered in the operational implementation of the method.
Activity
Before reading this section, formulate in your own words what are ecosystem services.
Resources for this section
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Mongruel, R., Beaumont, N., Hooper, T., Levrel, H., Somerfield, P., Thiébaut, E., Langmead, O. and Charles, M. (2015). A Framework for the Operational Assessment of Marine Ecosystem Services. VALMER INTERREG IV A France (Channel) - England Project. |
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VALMER Project Topic Paper 4 : Using Ecosystem Service Valuation for Marine Management |
Section outline
1 ABOUT ECOSYSTEM SERVICES 
Section coordination by J. Ballé-Béganton11, M. Philippe11 and D. Bailly11 based on written contributions from R. Mongruel5, N. Beaumont8, T. Hooper8, H. Levrel5, P. Somerfield8, E. Thiébaut10, M. Charles1, L. Friedrich9 and W. Dodds9
1.1 WHY an ecosystem services approach in marine and coastal areas? 
1.1.1 Global biodiversity decline 1.1.2 Nature’s worth 1.1.3 Biodiversity, sustainable development and ecosystem services: keywords in governance
1.2 WHAT is the Ecosystem Services Approach? 1.2.1 Ecosystem services assessment and valuation 1.2.2 What are ecosystem services? 1.2.3 Marine ecosystem services 
1.2.3.1 Marine supporting services 1.2.3.2 Marine regulating services 1.2.3.3 Marine provisioning services 1.2.3.4 Marine cultural services 1.2.4 Drivers of change of ecosystem services 1.2.5 Managing pressures and not ecosystem services
1.3 The HOW: from academic model to practical management tool 1.3.1 Academic milestones of the Ecosystem Services Approach 1.3.2 Existing ecosystem services frameworks 1.3.3 Is ecosystem services valuation all about money? 1.3.4 Ecosystem service assessment in marine management around the world 1.3.5 Limitations
1 Agence des Aires Marines Protégées
2 Cornwall Council
3 Devon County Council / Devon Maritime Forum
4 Dorset County Council/Dorset Coast Forum
5 Ifremer
6 Marine Biological Association of the UK
7 Naturel Régional du Golfe du Morbihan
8 Plymouth Marine Laboratory
9 Plymouth University
10 Station Biologique de Roscoff – Université Pierre et Marie Curie
11 Université de Bretagne Occidentale – Brest/ UMR AMURE
