The international ecosystem accounting framework
The methodological framework for ecosystem accounting builds on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), coordinated by the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD).[1] The UNSD handbook on experimental ecosystem accounting (SEEA EEA) describes the various components of ecosystem accounts (UN et al., 2014).
Ecosystem extent accounts:
- measure the location and size of different ecosystem types in a spatially explicit manner (e.g. in ha or km2);
- track the opening and closing stock of ecosystems across a territory over time.
Ecosystem condition accounts measure the condition of ecosystem types. Together, ecosystem extent and ecosystem condition accounts:
- provide a detailed analysis of the area and the quality of ecosystems and their changes over time;
- describe the biological capacity of ecosystems to deliver ecosystem services, which are then measured by ecosystem service accounts in a third step.
Figure 1 sets out the basic overall structure of ecosystem accounts.
Figure 1. Simplified structure of the SEEA ecosystem accounting framework
Building European ecosystem extent accounts
The production of ecosystem extent accounts requires three essential components:
- data sets that can be used to measure the extent and distribution of ecosystems — in Europe such data build on Corine Land Cover (CLC), which is part of the EU Copernicus programme;[2]
- software and methodology for processing these data sets within a structured accounting system — the EEA has developed specific accounting tools for this purpose (see EEA, 2020a);
- a typology for ecosystems, to allow the identification of different ecosystem types — the EEA proposes a three-tier approach to developing ecosystem extent accounts in Europe.
Tier I comprises ecosystem extent accounts for 9 of the 12 broad ecosystem types developed in the Mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services (MAES) process.[3] The tier II accounts sub-divide the broad tier I ecosystem types and comprise 23 ecosystem categories. The tier III accounts further subdivide tier II accounts and comprise 30 ecosystem types, e.g. salt marsh, broad-leaved forest and arable land. All current tiers in the EEA ecosystem extent accounts are based on the CLC database.
Figure 2 shows the general structure of the ecosystem extent accounts developed by the EEA (for additional details, please see EEA, 2020b).
Figure 2. Structure of EEA ecosystem extent accounts
Source: EEA (2020b).
Selected results for tier I European ecosystem extent accounts (EEA-39)
Table 1 shows the changes in ecosystem extent for the period 2000-2018 across the EEA-39 countries collectively. The accounts show changes in ecosystem extent in absolute terms (km2) and as a percentage of the initial ecosystem stock (see ‘Net changes to ecosystem extent’). This variable indicates that the area of urban settlements and associated vegetation expanded by 7.1% between 2000-2018. Rivers and lakes also increased in extent by 1.5% (mainly due to an increase in water reservoirs). Both trends reflect an increasing share of very modified ecosystem types in the EEA-39 area. Cropland and grassland lost most area in absolute terms, whereas heathland and shrub suffered the largest relative decline among the semi-natural ecosystem types.
The variable on stable ecosystem stock represents the areas that are the same ecosystem type in 2000 and 2018. In all cases, the percentage of ecosystem types remaining unchanged between 2000 and 2018 is very high (> 98%, except for forest). This is relevant knowledge as ecosystems maintain more ecological integrity if they remain stable over time than if they are recreated (as in a forest being replanted elsewhere).
Table 1. Tier I ecosystem extent account, EEA-39, 2000-2018, in km2
| Area in km² | MAES ECOSYSTEM TYPES | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Urban |
2 Cropland |
3 Grassland |
4 Forest and woodland |
5 Heathland and shrub |
6 Sparsely vegetated land |
7 Inland wetlands |
8 Rivers and lakes |
9 Marine inlets and transitional waters |
Non-allocated area |
Total |
||||||
| Ecosystem extent 2000 | 234085 | 2026677 | 648308 | 201
SDGs, Targets, and IndicatorsSDGs Addressed:
Targets and Indicators:
Analysis:The article discusses the methodological framework for ecosystem accounting, specifically focusing on ecosystem extent accounts and ecosystem condition accounts. It provides information on the European ecosystem extent accounts and pilot ecosystem condition accounts, highlighting the changes in ecosystem extent and ecological status of water bodies. Based on this analysis, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified: SDGs Addressed:
Targets and Indicators:
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together. Source: eea.europa.eu
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
You may also likeAbout the author ZJbTFBGJ2T | ||||||||||||
