LIFE EcosystemServices

The LIFE EcosystemServices project will introduce an innovative approach to the conservation of natural values, while balancing those values with social and economic considerations.

Assessment of ecosystems and their services for nature biodiversity conservation and management

LIFE13 ENV/LV/000839 - "LIFE EcosystemServices"

Project implemented


CONTACT DETAILS

Project Manager: Ms. Inga Hoņavko

E-mail: inga.honavko@daba.gov.lv

Phone: +371 28607129

Project Coordinator: Ms. Everita Zaķe-Kļaviņa

E-mail: everita.zake-klavina@daba.gov.lv

Phone: +371 29247028

Project Financial manager: Ms.Irina Spurina

E-mail: irina.spurina@daba.gov.lv
 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

ISSUES ADDRESSED

Nature Conservation, Ecosystem Services, Integrated Environmental Management, Land-use and Planning, Spatial planning, Sensitive and Protected Areas Management

BACKGROUND

Environmental protection and management policies continue to be drawn up in the EU, and it is becoming increasingly important, as a result, to evaluate ecosystems. Such assessments have been incorporated into various EU planning documents, including the Biodiversity Strategy 2011 – 2020, which requires Member States to identify, map and assess ecosystems and their services. In other countries, monetary assessments of ecosystems and their services are widely carried out, and the decision-making process is based on these results. In Latvia, however, such practices have not yet been introduced. Negative assessments often result from a lack of management strategies and evaluation approaches, particularly in areas with increased anthropogenic load. In order to explain the importance of natural capital to decision makers, entrepreneurs and the general public, it is essential to assess the monetary value of ecosystems.

GOAL

The LIFE EcosystemServices project will introduce an innovative approach to the conservation of natural values, while balancing those values with social and economic considerations. It will achieve this objective by providing knowledge that can be used in selecting development scenarios for different regions of Latvia and the entire country. This innovative approach will be developed according to best EU practices and the use of environmental economic indicators (including the economic assessment of the ecosystems). In this way, the project will help update existing practice for the implementation of spatial development plans, nature conservation plans and other related planning documents in Latvia, and in the selected pilot target areas in particular.

PROJECT MAIN TASKS (ACTIVITIES)

• To adopt the international practices and experiences in economic valuation of ecosystems and their services for different scenarios in Latvia, creating a clear, comprehensive assessment system;

• Map the ecosystems and their services in the selected pilot areas in Jaunķemeri and Saulkrasti in order to determine the current situation;

• Elaboration and evaluation of the development scenarios for the selected pilot implementation areas;

• Incorporate the results and recommendations of the scenario evaluations into Spatial Development Plan of the Municipality of Saulkrasti and Nature Conservation Plans for the Ķemeri National Park and the Piejūra Nature Park;

• Make recommendations for applying the new approach in municipal decision-making and spatial-planning processes.

• To promote the new methodological approach for the economic evaluation of the ecosystems and their services by information and communication.

OUTPUTS

Expected results:

• Multilayer maps of ecosystems and their services for the selected pilot implementation areas;
• A new methodological approach based on the innovative integration and verification of existing methods into municipal decision-making and spatial-planning processes;
• The economic evaluation of ecosystems and their services and development scenarios for the selected pilot implementation areas;
• Updated Nature Conservation Plans for Ķemeri National Park, Nature Park „Piejūra”and Spatial Development Plan for Saulkrasti Municipality;
• Recommendations for the application of the new methodological approach for municipal decision-making and spatial-planning processes;
• Public awareness level increased, creating a new apprehension regarding the assessment of the natural capital and supplied ecosystem services.

THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT

• Methodology of assessment and mappinof ecosystem services.
• 22 indicators for ecosystem services assessment.
• methodology and tool - Ecosystem Services Economic Valuation Model for ecosystem services economic valuation.
• Spatial Planning and Modelling tools.
• Ecosystem services assessment results used for updating planning documents – municipality level and nature management.
• Proposal for update of regulations on elaboration of nature management plans prepared - to include ecosystem services assessment as one of the obligatory requirements.
• New site for environmental education and awareness raising in Saulkrasti - Nature Design Park “White Dune – Saulkrasti”.
• TOOLKIT  for integration of ecosystem services approach into planning processes in Latvia.
• Diverse range of publications and other materials available on the ecosystem services topic.
• Layman’s report of the project.

BENEFICIARIES

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA