Integrating Ecosystem Services into Maritime Spatial Planning

The ecosystem service concept provides a comprehensive framework for examining socio-ecological interactions and benefits provided by ecosystems to human well-being. It supports the integration of ecological aspects in policy and decision making, including marine and coastal development as well as maritime spatial planning (MSP). A good understanding of the functioning of the marine ecosystem and the services it provides is essential for evidence-based planning and decision-making to ensure the viability and resilience of the marine environment. This workshop aims to explore the options for uptake of ecosystem service information in MSP to address trade-offs when allocating marine space and resources and provides a forum to discuss the use of ecosystem services in strategies for sustainable management of marine ecosystems between stakeholders.

This session will explore:

• What are the different ways scientists, policy makers and planners interpret the ecosystem services concept?
• What are the advantages of using ecosystem services in policy making and planning?
• How can we integrate ecosystem services into MSP across local, regional and national policy settings?
• How can we make ecosystem services information more useful across contexts?

Target audience: policy makers, maritime spatial planners, representatives of sea users/ blue economy sectors, marine ecologists and ecosystem service experts

Lead organiser:
BEF Latvia

Key words: Ecosystem-based approach, mapping of ecosystem services, marine ecosystem conservation, sustainable use of resources, science-policy collaboration