Bringing Cities to Life, Bringing Life into Cities
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Documents
ESNET Project. Futur des réseaux de services écosystémiques dans la région urbaine de Grenoble (Future of ecosystem services networks in the Grenoble urban region): Consequences for the management of hydrosystems
Land use legacies: Land use and ecosystem service scenarios in the Grenoble urban area https://connectingnature.eu/oppla-case-study/17272
Measuring ecosystem services: Guidance on developing ecosystem service indicators
https://www.unep-wcmc.org/system/dataset_file_fields/files/000/000/303/original/1850_ESI_Guidance_A4_WEB.
pdf?1424707843
“This guidance report is underpinned by work carried out as part of the collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research funded by SwedBio. The aim of the programme
© IMAGE SOURCE: Mapping_ecosystem_services_bundles_in_a_heterogene.pdf
was to enhance the development, use and uptake of indicators and approaches for assessing the consequences of changes in ecosystem services and their implications for society, human well-being and poverty alleviation, at national and local scale.”
© IMAGE SOURCE: Mapping_ecosystem_services_bundles_in_a_heterogene.pdf
Societal challenges
Human health / Economic and social development CRITERIA
1. NbS effectively address societal challenges
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
1.1 The most pressing societal challenges for rights holders and beneficiaries are prioritised
The societal challenge most addressed is biodiversity and ecosystem services, which is considered the main driver of the intervention.
Nevertheless, it is recognised that ecosystem services play an important role in supporting economic activity, development and general human well-being.
Also, this project is perceived as crucial in facing the challenges of urbanisation in Grenoble to the detriment of agricultural areas, conservation of natural areas with high amenity and heritage value, and more generally dynamic economic development, as well as territorial inequalities.
This framework aligned the project with human health and socio-economic development.
1.2 The societal challenges
addressed are clearly understood and documented
The societal challenges related to biodiversity and ecosystem services are clearly understood and documented; in fact they are specifically referenced in the modelling of land use and the biophysical modelling of ecosystem services. In terms of the biophysical modelling of ecosystem services, some relevant elements are included: prioritisation of ecosystem services and modelling methods: supply services, with a focus on timber production;
regulation services, with a focus on the regulation of water quality (nitrogen);
and cultural services, with a focus on recreational activities 1.3 Human well-being outcomes
arising from the NbS are identified, benchmarked and periodically assessed
Ecosystem services are vital to human survival and well-being ,and the judicious management of the systems that produce these benefits is essential.
Ecosystem service indicators are increasingly recognised as a key part of assessing whether such services are being managed appropriately and used sustainably. The ecosystem services approach highlights that the contribution of ecosystems to human well-being and activities is based on the use of resources and the functioning of interacting ecosystems.
Going into detail, in this framework the human well-being outcomes are also analysed as cultural services, with a focus on recreational activities.
Some references to the periodic assessment of this variable are reported, for instance in terms of the attractiveness of landscape.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Design at scale
City-wide / District / Urban acupuncture CRITERIA
2. Design of NbS is informed by scale
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
2.1 Design of NbS recognises and responds to the interactions between the economy, society and ecosystems
The ecosystem services approach is the main driver. In this respect, these interactions are considered.
2.2 Design of NbS is integrated with other complementary interventions and seeks synergies across sectors
The intervention is included in the SCoT for Grenoble (Le Schéma de Coherence Territoriale de la grande région de Grenoble).
In addition, other concurrent projects have been identified that contribute to the same final goal.
2.3 Design of NbS incorporates risk identification and risk management beyond the intervention site
In the risk analysis of the regulation services provided by ecosystems –specifically soil erosion control, protective forests and flood regulation– the prioritisation of ecosystem services and modelling methods are taken into account.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Biodiversity net-gain
CRITERIA
3. NbS result in net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
3.1 NbS actions directly respond to evidence-based assessment of the current state of the ecosystem and prevailing drivers of degradation and loss
There is a specific assessment of this ecosystem variable in the ESNET project .
3.2 Clear and measurable biodiversity conservation outcomes are identified, benchmarked and periodically assessed
We have found an evaluation of biodiversity conservation, based on the guideline Measuring ecosystem services: Guidance on developing ecosystem service indicators. This document was an output of a UNEP-WCMC project.
3.3 Monitoring includes periodic assessments of unintended adverse consequences for nature arising from the NbS
No evidence found during the evaluation.
3.4 Opportunities to enhance ecosystem integrity and connectivity are identified and incorporated into the NbS strategy
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Economic feasibility
CRITERIA
4. NbS are economically viable
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
4.1 The direct and indirect benefits and costs associated with the NbS, who pays and who benefits, are identified and documented
The economic benefits of ecosystem services are referred to in the
documentation. However, specific information on the economic consequences is not found in the documentation.
4.2 A cost-effectiveness study is provided to support the choice of NbS including the likely impact of any relevant regulations and subsidies
No evidence found during the evaluation.
4.3 The effectiveness of the NbS design is justified against available alternative solutions, taking into account any associated externalities
No evidence found during the evaluation.
4.4 NbS design considers a portfolio of resourcing options such as market-based, public sector, voluntary commitments and actions to support regulatory compliance
Several scenarios have been considered (in the OPERA project, for instance) including spatial and explicit information regarding the evaluation of:
– Four scenarios which explore changes in the different types of land use and agricultural and forest management to support the spatially explicit modelling of land-cover changes;
– Four scenarios of social values, public policy and economic context which produce markedly varied land use and landscape patterns. These differences particularly concern patterns of urban expansion, forest expansion and the associated losses of agricultural land.
Inclusive governance
CRITERIA
5. NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processes
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
5.1 A defined and fully agreed upon feedback and grievance resolution mechanism is available to all stakeholders before an NbS intervention can be initiated
The projects provide stakeholders with user-friendly tools and instruments to enable them to apply ecosystem services science and knowledge in their field of work, in order to engage stakeholders and build a community around the outputs across science, policy and practice.
Some variables to be highlighted about the stakeholders’ involvement are the following:
–Participatory Scenario Planning process for downscaling regional normative scenarios;
–19 institutions from 6 economic sectors were involved throughout a two-year process.
Over twenty stakeholders representing the main management and decision-making bodies for land planning, agriculture, forestry, nature conservation, tourism and water management were involved.
5.2 Participation is based on mutual respect and equality, regardless of gender, age or social status, and upholds the right of Indigenous Peoples to Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
The stakeholders include those involved in territorial and resource management, such as representatives of the government, local authorities, NGOs and regional natural parks. They represent the main economic sectors that have an impact on land use and natural resources: urban planning, agriculture, forestry, tourism and water management.
The project details the high added value and mutual benefits of an interdisciplinary and participatory approach, based on active collaboration with local actors involved in the management of the territory and its resources, and with strong sectoral and geographic expertise. The active participation of stakeholders in the design and evaluation of the work facilitated the integration of local needs and expectations.
5.3 Stakeholders who are directly and indirectly affected by the NbS have been identified and involved in all processes of the NbS intervention
This process has taken place;, nevertheless, no specific reference to citizen participation is made.
5.4 Decision-making processes document and respond to the rights and interests of all participating and affected stakeholders
No evidence found during the evaluation.
5.5 Where the scale of the NbS extends beyond jurisdictional boundaries, mechanisms are established to enable joint decision making by the stakeholders in those jurisdictions affected by the NbS
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Balance trade-offs
CRITERIA
6. NbS equitably balance trade-offs between achievement of their primary goal(s) and the continued provision of multiple benefits
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
6.1 The potential costs and benefits of associated trade-offs of the NbS intervention are explicitly acknowledged and inform safeguards and any appropriate corrective actions
This example aims to: 1) offer a better knowledge of mechanisms underpinning ecosystem services; 2) analyse trade-offs and synergies between biodiversity, critical ecosystem services and territorial management and 3) facilitate appropriation of tools and concepts by stakeholders.
Knowledge of the synergies and trade-offs between ecosystem services is essential to manage ecosystems sustainably, and to maximise benefits for society. ESNET’s key originality was its focus on the concept of ecosystem services networks, which aims to account for interactions (positive and negative) among ecosystem services from a functional perspective, thereby highlighting cause-effect relationships.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Adaptive management
CRITERIA
7. NbS are managed adaptively, based on evidence
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
7.1 An NbS strategy is established and used as a basis for regular monitoring and evaluation of the intervention
The evaluation is based on previous data and modelling of different future scenarios, for instance in terms of the evaluation of the dynamics of significant contrasting uses according to the planning choices which underlie them, in particular with regard to urban sprawl and forest expansion for the most contrasting scenarios.
In terms of specific monitoring, the three major scientific challenges of the evaluation are:
1. Quantifying the capacity of the hydrosystem to provide ecosystem services of interest to its actors;
2. Identifying and analysing the synergies and spatial compromises between ecosystem services, or sets of ecosystem services;
3. Carry out an evaluation of sets of ecosystem services with local stakeholders to analyse their future trajectories.
Nevertheless, the monitoring of the benefits in terms of their effectiveness in addressing societal challenges is not explicitly specified in the document.
7.2 A monitoring and evaluation plan is developed and implemented throughout the intervention lifecycle
In the project there is a combination of modelling and mapping. In terms of modelling: the DINAMICA platform is used to represent recent land use change dynamics and major future trajectories under different scenarios, such as urban consolidation or the continuation of peri-urban sprawl. Such land use and management projections will provide data for the modelling of changes for 11 ecosystem services: 3 provisioning services, 2 cultural services and 6 abiotic and biotic regulation services, as well as for terrestrial vertebrate and plant diversity.
Mapping was an essential method (ESNET) and was supported by multi-source mapping of land use / land cover at fine spatial (15 m) and typological (especially for agricultural ecosystems) resolution. This mapping was done for the baseline (2010) and for four scenarios for 2040. These scenarios were co-produced with stakeholders by adapting, downscaling and making spatially explicit the Montagne 2040 scenarios of the Rhône-Alpes administrative region.
Nevertheless, there is no explicit reference to continuous monitoring after implementation.
7.3 A framework for iterative learning that enables adaptive management is applied throughout the intervention lifecycle
No evidence found during the evaluation.
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
6.2 The rights to, usage of and access to land and resources, along with the responsibilities of different stakeholders are acknowledged and respected
No evidence found during the evaluation.
6.3 Established safeguards are periodically reviewed to ensure that mutually agreed trade-off limits are respected and do not destabilise the entire NbS
No evidence found during the evaluation.
Mainstreaming
CRITERIA
8. NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed within an appropriate jurisdictional context
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
8.1 NbS design, implementation and lessons learnt are shared to trigger transformative change
The results of the projects are well suited for the mainstreaming of ecosystem services in local decision making and land management at a time when ecosystem services are emerging as an important topic in national (and European) policy.
Due to the time and resources invested in the various interventions, advanced coordination and previous experience of transdisciplinary research are essential to obtain value the from learnt lessons.
8.2 NbS inform and enhance facilitating policy and regulation frameworks to support their uptake and mainstreaming
The main challenges for mainstreaming the ecosystem services concepts in practical usage are related to the various trade-offs that arise from:
– The multiple functions and uses of ecosystems at a given location;
– The time period over which functions and use are being considered;
– The effects of local decision making elsewhere; and
– The different ways in which social/cultural and market/non-market values are assigned to ecosystem services.
8.3 Where relevant, NbS contribute to national and global targets for human well-being, climate change, biodiversity and human rights, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
No evidence found during the evaluation.
© IMAGE SOURCE: https://operas-project.eu/node/323