Ralf-Uwe Syrbe

Space and time aspects of ecosystem services, using the example of the EU Water Framework Directive

Within the concept of ecosystem services (ES), space and time approaches, with their physical and socio-economic dimensions, play an important role. Among the space aspects, the configuration (e.g. size, shape) and composition (pattern) of ecosystems, but also the spatial positions of service providing areas, service connecting areas and service benefiting areas are of great relevance. Ecosystem changes, and also differences between supply and demand (or use) of ES, are typical time-related aspects. Scale issues concern both the space and time dimensions. A scheme in the form of a guideline or a checklist is proposed, which helps to consider, systemize and improve space and time aspects in methodological frameworks and in special investigations. Space and time aspects of ES and the application of the scheme are exemplified on the European Union Water Framework Directive. The introduction of this directive as a political instrument has led to significant improvements of the ecological state of surface waters and the groundwater, and the ES they supply, not least due to the appropriate, exemplary consideration of space and time aspects.

Landscape services: the concept and its practical relevance

Recently, in addition to the popular concept of “ecosystem services” (ES), the term “landscape services” (LS) has come into use. We are examining the question of whether a stronger focus on LS would be useful, particularly with regard to case studies carried out in Germany. Important reasons for introducing the term LS include the prominent role of spatial aspects, the reference to landscape elements and the landscape character, and the relevance of LS for landscape planning. We found no strong arguments for replacing the concept of ES by LS; however, we do prefer a situation-related use of both concepts. We propose the following definition: Landscape services are the contributions of landscapes and landscape elements to human well-being.

Proposal of indicators regarding the provision and accessibility of green spaces for assessing the ecosystem service “recreation in the city” in Germany

ABSTRACT The paper summarises the multiple benefits of urban green spaces for city dwellers and provides an overview of proximity approaches and common key parameters for green-space quantification in cities. We propose indicators for the assessment of the ecosystem service ‘recreation in the city’ on a national scale. The calculation procedure, which takes into account the best available data sets in Germany, is explained. The determination of threshold values regarding green-space standards comprising type, size and distance is crucial to such studies. The results, the degree of provision with public green spaces in all German cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants (n = 182) and their accessibility, are presented. In total, green spaces are accessible for daily recreation for 74.3% of the inhabitants in German cities, which means that underprovision affects 8.1 million city dwellers. Some indicator details are shown for the examples of Wiesbaden and Stuttgart. Finally, we discuss the approach and values of the proposed and quantified indicators in a German and European context. EDITED BY Christine Fürst

PERCEPTIONS OF ENERGY CROP PRODUCTION BY LAY PEOPLE AND FARMERS USING THE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES APPROACH

Abstract Perceptions of energy crop production are assessed in this paper. The Görlitz district (Germany) serves as a case study area for this purpose. Semi-structured interviews with farmers and standardized surveys among lay persons were conducted. Many farmers perceive themselves being responsible for providing many ecosystem services. Farmers prefer a regional scale of energy crop cultivation based on conventional crops. Improved legal frameworks and incentives would safeguard equal competition and ecosystem services. Laypersons think that drinking water, food production, biodiversity and pollination are the most important ecosystem services of agricultural landscapes. Providing biomass for renewable energy production is not considered to be an important ecosystem service. Laypersons believe that biomass production should be restricted to fields that are not needed for food production, and the use of residues or landscape management materials. According to laypersons, more money should be spent to halt the decline of ecosystem services.

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND ENERGY CROPS — SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF RISKS

Abstract The increased cultivation of energy crops has a variety of economic, social and environmental effects, which can be assessed using the concept of ecosystem services (ES). Among the various instruments for regulating energy crop cultivation, reducing the impacts on ecosystems and landscapes, and moving sustainable land management forward, the ES concept is a useful tool since it includes economic, ecological and social aspects. The methodological approach is exemplified by a case study in the district of Gorlitz, Germany. It started with an indicator-based analysis of the present state of landscape functions or services, focusing on the “supply” part of ES assessments. The results were interpreted in light of an ecological risk assessment concerning intensified agriculture in general and the increased cultivation of energy crops in particular: on the one hand for the present situation, and on the other, for three different future scenarios. It was possible to project the results onto reference units (biophysical units), and to reveal spatial differences in carrying capacity or sensibility as a result of increased energy crop cultivation. The demand side of ESs was assessed on the basis of semi-structured interviews and standardized questionnaires.

Motivations and attitudes to (not) take action for climate change adaptation in protected areas

Purpose Implementing climate change adaptation measures immediately is considered both to minimize considerably negative impacts on biodiversity as well as on outdoor recreation in protected area management. This study aims to give answers, why, however, climate change issues receive very limited implementation by practitioners in day-to-day-management. Design/methodology/approach Using a motivation model by Rheinberg (2006), a more differentiated understanding was gained why stakeholders took almost no action regarding climate change adaptation. A participatory spatial scenario method including a map exercise was used to motivate stakeholders to develop, discuss, exchange and negotiate strategies under different possible future developments and their implementation in protected area management. Findings According to the motivation model, taking action is dependent on a number of factors and will only happen when all correlations are positive. It can be shown that for adaptation to climate change, concerning almost all of the various factors, no stimuli existed or actors expected a positive outcome when taking action. More motivation was generated for halting the loss of biodiversity and visitor management. In the participatory spatial scenario planning work, stakeholders from different sectors and decision-makers found consensus to implement integrated strategies, considering adaptation to climate change, reduction of greenhouse gases, better protection of biodiversity and different future developments in outdoor recreation activities. Originality/value The paper demonstrates the importance of single motivation factors such as perceived competence, abilities to act and perceived positive outcomes including rewards for taking action. Using participatory spatial scenario planning methods can be powerful tools to stimulate joint action, though implementing organizations must be willing to make real use of the outcome of such work.

Scenarios of bioenergy provision: technological developments in a landscape context and their social effects

While it is developing rapidly throughout Germany, bioenergy provision is open to different development opportunities. To understand the cause–effect relationships that drive bioenergy development and explore different development options and their effects on regional development, qualitative scenarios have been drafted using the Görlitz district as an example. The paper introduces the scenario method, with scenarios that are expressed in storylines. Driving forces and their relationships are thereupon reflected. The results show that the relation of the Common Agricultural Policy and Renewable Energy Act is of particular importance for future development in general. For the specific type of development in particular in rural regions, technologies are equally important, as they allow for both strongly central and highly decentralised developments. Due to an increasing diversity of options, the decision between central and decentral developments is, however, less technologically determined, but rather dependent on stakeholders’ decisions. Such stakeholders not only include stakeholders from the production sector, but also include consumers and affected parties, particularly the inhabitants whose living environment is changing rapidly. Both the landscape and society are subject to change. As a major driving force and an impacted system under change itself, social constellations must be taken into account to ensure a sustainable development under the signs of renewable energy expansion. Management tools should consider the interlinkage between landscape, energy, and social systems.

Ecosystem service supply and demand – the challenge to balance spatial mismatches

ABSTRACT Ecosystem services (ESs) are influenced by use intensity. Arising disparities between supply and demand are often depending on spatial relationships. We propose to classify the spatial relations into six cases with regard to the relocation of resources to the affected groups of people. Based on these six cases, the paper also identifies the human contributions to service supply and transfer. The classification distinguishes between ‘local’ (supply and demand in the same area), ‘proximity’ (close natural transfer), ‘process’ (distant transfer by natural processes), ‘access’ (users can get to the ecosystem), ‘commodity’ (supply contributed and transfer carried out by market players), and ‘global’. For the several cases, specific scientific methods and different policy approaches are applicable. A crucial issue is how to deal with the actors who enable, maintain, and restrict ESs. Thus, considerations about landscape maintenance, conservation support, and private solutions are necessary. The contribution suggests a framework to analyse and improve the relationships concerned by uncovering mismatches between supply and demand. We use selected indicators to compare supply and demand in these relations. Four examples show the capability of the approach to limit the overuse of ecosystems and to maintain the according ESs. EDITED BY Christine Fürst

Local environmental NGO roles in biodiversity governance: a Czech-German comparison

Abstract Recently, the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)s in environmental governance has been widely investigated, especially regarding the issue of mandatory public participation in policy-making within a European context. This paper aims to redirect scientific attention from their pure participation to their field actions, i.e., to the role they play in actual natural resource management, especially at the local level, and reframe local environmental NGO roles and positions based on the criteria for scale and influence. More specifically, this paper seeks to identify factors that promote NGOs as effective complements in the protection of state biodiversity and stresses local impacts of different governance schemes. Determining factors were investigated through a series of in-depth case studies undertaken in the Czech-German border region of the eastern Krušné hory Mts. (Erzgebirge, Ore Mts.). Rather than a quantitatively oriented survey among NGOs, this study focused primarily on a specific territory and, subsequently, on the identification of relevant actor performance (including NGO representatives) within this territory. The method applied for comparison was the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework (IAD Framework). This design enabled a comparison of different social practices in the homogeneous ecosystem present on both sides of the border and captured the influence of specific social and historical cross-border features on environmental NGO performance.

A Conceptual Framework for Integrated Functional Landscape Monitoring in the Wider Countryside of Central Europe

Landscape monitoring is highly topical as we are faced again and again with challenges in the balance of nature and its utilisation. Knowing of this importance for the European Landscape Convention calls to support the landscape analyses for which suitable methods of international scale have to be developed. Landscape-related monitoring means, according to the authors, a trans-scale spatially nested and complex monitoring and evaluation of landscape change. Suitable methods were developed for the purpose and presented. The framework introduced has been tested successfully in three federal states of Germany since 1999 and may now be defined as being mature for application. As drawn up there are hypotheses, functions, indicators, and data to adapt to the spatial conception and the given conditions. The implementation of the various natural science and social science programmes which would require a high degree of compatibility for reason of their integrative properties represents a problem. They have to be implemented for entire project periods lasting for decades and implemented in continuous monitoring, the methodical consistency has to be assured, and a professional interpretation even of heterogeneous data and a reasonable, model-based forecast of the change of landscape have to be given.