Ecosystem Services

Title of session: Ecosystem services as a tool for smart spatial solutions of human-environmental problems

Organizers:
Stoyan Nedkov           NIGGG-BAS                                                                                                                      Jeroen Arrends            SEEDEV, Serbia/ ESP-SEE

Co-organizers                                                                                                                                                         Benjamin Burkhrd      Leibniz University Hannover                                                                                         Miglena Zhiyanski      Forest Research Institute                                                                                          Desislava Hristova      Sofia University

Ecosystem services concept provides a platform for smart solutions of various human-environmental problems. It is based on the assumption that ecosystems provide a range of services that are of fundamental importance to human well-being and the sustainable use of these services could balance the counteracting environmental conservation and economic activities and interests. The spatial aspects of ecosystem services attracted significant attention in the last years through development of various mapping and modelling methods and tools as well as major initiatives and projects such as MAES (Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services) and ESMERALDA (Enhancing ecoSysteM sERvices mApping for poLicy and Decision mAking). On the other hand, there is growing need for robust spatial data and models describing the supply, demand and flow of ecosystem services in order to meet the needs of decision makers.

We aim in this session to bring together researcher from different disciplines to discuss techniques for spatial modelling and mapping ecosystem services as well as their application in decision making. We invite presentations from researchers and practitioners to share their experience in different spatial aspects of ecosystem services including:

• Mapping and assessment of ecosystem services based on field observations, remote sensing data and spatial proxy methods ;
• Modelling approaches for generation of spatial data and elaboration of ES maps;
• Social and economical approaches for ecosystem services mapping and assessment;
• Mapping of ecosystems and assessment of ecosystems condition;
• Good practices in application of ecosystem services maps in policy and decision making;
• Stakeholder involvement in the development of sustainable management of natural resources;
• Local and regional studies on ecosystem services from South-East European countries.

The session is co-organized by the Working group of landscape ecology and ecosystem services at the Bulgarian Geographical Society and the Bulgarian National Network at Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) with the support of South-East European chapter of the ESP.

Planned output

We plan to organize part of a peer-reviewed book in Springer series on Key Challenges in Geography. The session participants will be invited to submit their works as chapters in the book.                         Journal collaborative paper on advances of ecosystem services work in South-East Europe.

Looking forward to welcoming your research to this session!