A Methodology to Map Ecosystem Functions to Support Ecosystem Services Assessments

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The project developed and trialed a method of mapping ecosystem functions in South East Queensland using biophysical data layers in preference to land use surrogates. Biophysical data and surrogates were identified for 19 ecosystem functions and maps were produced for each. Data layers for each ecosystem function were standardized for mapping purposes using existing expert advice or data quantiling. Two versions of the total ecosystem function overlap maps were also produced, showing areas of high ecosystem function that have the potential to contribute to high ecosystem service provision. This method was successfully used to replace land use surrogates in most cases, and produced maps that planners and decision makers considered credible. The mapping exercise allowed an ecosystem services framework (the SEQ Ecosystem Services Framework) to be embedded in a statutory planning document, used in a State of the Region Report and to influence planning decisions at a local government level.

Ecosystem Services: The Opportunities of Rewilding in Europe

“…We consider a total of 7 ecosystem services, represented by 9 indicators (Table 3.1). In order for each ecosystem service to contribute equally to the analysis, and following the method of Petter et al (2013), we standardized the data by reclassifying each service into a quantile split, producing a range of scores from 1 to 5 (five meaning high supply of a specific service). We then summed the 9 indicators to produce a map of "total" ecosystem services supply across Europe (Fig.…”

Methodology to assess and map the potential development of forest ecosystems exposed to climate change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition: A pilot study in Germany

“…The databases used allow the quantifying of intervals of indicator values as reference for site-specific evaluations of ecosystem integrity. Considering other investigations that aim to analyse ecosystem integrity (Andreasen et al, 2001;Balvanera et al, 2006;Cairns, 1977;Carignan and Villard, 2002;EEA, 2012;Egoh et al, 2012;Faber-Langendoen et al, 2012a,b;EU, 2014;Petter et al, 2013;Stoll et al, 2015;Tierney et al, 2009;Vose et al, 2012;Wulff et al, 2012), the mapping and analysis of ecosystem types across space and time in combination with ecosystem type-/site-specific reference intervals for functional and structural indicators broadens and deepens ecosystem integrity assessments. Climate change and N deposition are significant driving forces shifting ecosystems toward modified or even completely changed states.…”

“…The possibility of reduced ecosystem function is increased as more species are lost due to reductions in substitutability. Thus, biodiversity and ecosystem functions are codependent, and therefore, biodiversity is vital to maintaining functioning ecosystems and vice versa (Maynard et al, 2010(Maynard et al, , 2011Midgley, 2012;Petter et al, 2013). Under action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, the condition of ecosystems and their services should be mapped and assessed across Europe.…”

Identifying suitable multifunctional restoration areas for Forest Landscape Restoration in Central Chile

“…, Petter et al. ). Studies concerned with existing landscape configurations have demonstrated that the spatial distributions of ecosystem functions, services, and biodiversity often do not overlap extensively, and many services show trade‐offs or no positive relationship (Chan et al.…”