National Ecosystem Assessment

What is the National Ecosystem Assessment?

The UK National Ecosystem Assessment is the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment in terms of the benefits it provides to society and continuing economic prosperity. It is based around the processes that link human societies and their well being with the environment and emphasises the role of ecosystems in providing services that bring well-being to people.

Background

What is an ecosystem?

Ecosystems are dynamic complexes of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a unit.

What is an ecosystem service?

These are the products such as goods and services that come out of the ecosystem. These can be food, water purification, spritual experience. The combination of these goods and services contributes to human well being in terms of health, wealth and happiness.

Ecosystem valuation

An ecosystems approach is a way of considering and valuing natural resources in decision making.

• See the Postnotes at the end of the page for more detail on ecosystems and how to value them.
• You can read Ian Bateman's paper on the economic analysis of ecosystem services here. 

Outputs

The National Ecosystem Assessment is an independent and peer reviewed assessment of the state and value of the UK's natural environment and the services it has provided over the past 60 years and what may drive change in the future.

What tools are available?

• a conceptual framework, based on linking the drivers of change (direct and indirect) to changes in biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services, and human wellbeing. The conceptual framework can be used to assess how historical, as well as plausible future changes, in drivers affect the main broad habitats (ecosystems) in the UK and their role in providing ecosystem services that benefit people.

How will the outputs be used?

Policy makers

• high level policy makers will have policy options outlined to secure the continued delivery of the UK's ecosystem services
• policy makers will have the evidence base needed to strengthen decision making and ensure effective management in the future
• the NEA will feed into the Environment White Paper.

PROGRAMME FACTS AND FIGURES

Total investment: £1.3 million

Start and end dates: 01/05/2009 to 02/06/2011

Other organisations involved:

Countryside Council for Wales

Website: http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org

Contact: nea@unep-wcmc.org