How ecosystem services are changing: an accounting application at the EU level.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Accounting
• Natural Capital Accounting
• Ecosystem Services Valuation

Background:

• Ecosystem services accounts are crucial for understanding ecosystem contributions and societal benefits.
• The Knowledge Innovation Project on an Integrated system for Natural Capital and ecosystem services Accounting (KIP INCA) developed an EU-level workflow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the KIP INCA accounting workflow for ecosystem services at the European Union level.
• To assess the monetary value and changes in ecosystem services between 2000 and 2012.
• To propose a novel workflow for ecosystem services accounts focusing on actual service flows.

Main Methods:

• The workflow involves biophysical assessment, monetary valuation, and compilation of accounting tables.
• Supply and use tables were generated for six ecosystem services.
• Comparative analysis of fast-track (official statistics) versus spatial model-based accounting strategies.

Main Results:

• Woodland, forest, and wetland ecosystems exhibit the highest monetary value per unit area.
• A general increase in the monetary value of ecosystem services was observed from 2000 to 2012.
• Increased demand for ecosystem services was identified as the primary driver for this rise.

Conclusions:

• The study contributes to the technical recommendations for ecosystem services accounts.
• A novel workflow is proposed for a more accurate assessment of ecosystem service flows.
• The findings underscore the growing economic significance of ecosystem services in the EU.