Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Only a few studies have quantified and measured ecosystem services (ES) specifically related to soil. To address this gap, we have developed and applied a methodology to assess changes in ecosystem services, based on measured or estimated soil property changes that were stimulated by soil management measures (e.g., mulching, terracing, no-till). We applied the ES assessment methodology in 16 case study sites across Europe representing a high diversity of soil threats and land use systems. Various prevention and remediation measures were trialled, and the changes in manageable soil and other natural capital properties were measured and quantified. An Excel tool facilitated data collection, calculation of changes in ecosystem services, and visualization of measured short-term changes and estimated long-term changes at plot level and for the wider area. With this methodology, we were able to successfully collect and compare data on the impact of land management on 15 different ecosystem services from 26 different measures. Overall, the results are positive in terms of the impacts of the trialled measures on ecosystem services, with 18 out of 26 measures having no decrease in any service at the plot level. Although methodological challenges remain, the ES assessment was shown to be a comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of the trialled measures, and also served as an input to a stakeholder valuation of ecosystem services at local and sub-national levels.
Source: Sustainability
DOI: 10.3390/su10124416
Authors: Gudrun Schwilch, Tatenda Lemann, Örjan Berglund, Carlo Camarotto, Artemi Cerdà, Ioannis Daliakopoulos, Silvia Kohnová, Dominika Krzeminska, Teodoro Marañón, René Rietra, Grzegorz Siebielec, Johann Thorsson, Mark Tibbett, Sandra Valente, Hedwig Van Delden, Jan Van den Akker, Simone Verzandvoort, Nicoleta Vrînceanu, Christos Zoumides, Rudi Hessel
Institutions: University of Bern, Federal Office for the Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, University of Padua, Universitat de València, Technical University of Crete, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla, Wageningen University & Research, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, University of Reading, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, University of Aveiro, Research Institute for Knowledge Systems, The University of Adelaide, Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Pedologie Agrochimie si Protectia Mediului, Cyprus Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W2902080641