Towards a national ecosystem assessment in Germany

authored by

Christian Albert, Carsten Neßhöver, Matthias Schröter, Heidi Wittmer, Aletta Bonn, Benjamin Burkhard, Jens Dauber, Ralf Döring, Christine Fürst, Karsten Grunewald, Dagmar Haase, Bernd Hansjürgens, Jennifer Hauck, Mandy Hinzmann, Thomas Koellner, Tobias Plieninger, Sven Erik Rabe, Irene Ring, Joachim H. Spangenberg, Ulrich Stachow, Henry Wüstemann, Christoph Görg

Abstract

We present options for a National Ecosystem Assessment in Germany (NEA-DE) that could inform decision-makers on the state and trends of ecosystems and ecosystem services. Characterizing a NEA-DE, we argue that its cross-sectoral, integrative approach would have the advantages of increased scientific understanding, addressing specific policy questions and creating science-policy dialogues. Challenges include objections against a utilitarian perspective, reservations concerning power relations, and responsibilities concerning the funding.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Environmental Planning
Institute of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology
Physical Geography Group

External Organisation(s)

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health
Leipzig University
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF)
Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER)
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin)
CoKnow Consulting - Coproducing Knowledge for Sustainability
Ecologic Institute
University of Bayreuth
University of Copenhagen
ETH Zurich
Technische Universität Dresden
Technische Universität Berlin
Alpen-Adria-Universitat Klagenfurt (AAU)

Type

Article

Journal

GAIA: Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society

Volume

26

Pages

27-33

No. of pages

7

ISSN

0940-5550

Publication date

2017

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Environmental Science (miscellaneous), Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.26.1.8 (Access: Unknown)