Biome Expert Groups
The aim of the Biome Expert Groups is to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to exchange information and discuss ideas and experiences on Ecosystem Services Assessment in specific biomes and ecosystems and make the information available to a wider community of users. For now we distinguish 7 main biomes, subdivided in a flexible number of ecosystems (see below).
Activities of Biome Expert Groups:
- Facilitate information exchange through, a.o. the ESP website, on services and values of specific ecosystems/biomes, discuss typology issues, conduct meta-analysis, etc.
- Contribute to the further development of the Ecosystem Service Value Database (ESVD) by contributing new, empirical data and to check existing data in the database
- Contribute to the development of a Global Network of field sites to further enhance the “science and practice’ of Ecosystem Services Assessment. These field sites can be used to collect data, test hypothesis and guidelines, show and communicate results to ES users, providers and policy makers. This would be done in collaboration with, among others, the IUCN-Commission on Ecosystem Management and UNEP-SGA Network.
- Organise workshops during ESP-conferences or other events, on topics of interest to the Working Group and facilitate discussion groups on the internet.
- Stimulate (joint) publications on the output of the working groups (for example in the new Elsevier Journal ‘Ecosystem Services’) and develop guidelines for Ecosystem Services Assessment.
- Serve as a Review Committee for SERVES and contribute to international assessments (eg. TEEB National studies, Sub Global Assessment (follow-up MA), IPBES).
Please note:
- You can contact or join a Biome or Ecosystem Expert Group by contacting the Supporting person of the working group of your interest.
- If you are interested to remain updated on a specific Biome or Ecosystem Expert Group we advise you to create a user account for the ESP website and subscribe to the page of this working group on the ESP Extranet. Below you can find a list of Biome and Ecosystem Expert Groups that are currently active or are being set up.
- If you are interested to initiate another Ecosystem Expert Group please contact Dolf de Groot.
The following Biome Expert Groups are currently active or are being set up:
- 1. Marine & coastal systems (general)
- 2. Freshwater systems
- 3. Forests
- 4. Drylands
- 5. Mediterranean-Climate Ecosystems
- 6. Polar regions & high mountains
- 7. Rural/cultivated systems
- 8. Urban ecosystems
For more information, please contact the ESP Support Team