ECOPOTENTIAL: Improving Future Ecosystem Benefits through Earth Observations

active use of quantification of ecosystem services with Earth Observation data in management. Until there are legal frameworks and the necessary funding in place, Earth Observation is not likely to be used to quantify ecosystem services as a central part of Protected Area management. The Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive apply to many Protected Areas. These European directives could, therefore, be a suitable vehicle to anchor the use of Earth Observation and ecosystem services related to natural heritage. Also, the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive can provide support, although for the coastal and marine Protected Areas they appear to be less embedded, additional effort to strengthen the directives might be required first. Finally, as mentioned, checking with the Protected Area managers about any agricultural, forestry and fisheries policies in case they exist, are relevant and could be additional suitable vehicles for the application of Earth Observation and ecosystem services. It should bementioned again that the variety of roles held by the various questionnaire respondents (ProtectedArea manager, researcher, IT expert, and other staff) will have influenced the level of detail and types of data provided in the responses and an awareness of these differing perspectives and levels of expertise is necessary when considering conclusions drawn from the questionnaire.

needs to allow them to effectively use Earth Observation data: technical training, training on applying the data in management, software and hardware were all noted as lacking. Respondents also said they need the data analysed with recommendations specific to their management, in addition to access to the raw data. A number of managers indicated that they work with and rely on the research community to make use of Earth Observation data. Overall, there is a significant amount of research occurring in the national parks, some of which does or could use Earth Observation, thus suggesting the potential for better integration. An important finding is that there are large gaps in the exchange between researchers and managers. Decreasing this gap specifically might sharpen the focus on Earth Observation data relevant for addressing the ecosystems or ecological traits and data relevant for tourism, for example. But given the value placed on cultural ecosystem services across all Protected Areas, the question is raised as to how Earth Observation can be used to protect cultural heritage, landscapes and management of visitors. Overall there was little use of Earth Observation data to quantify ecosystem services. As provisioning and regulating services are not directly part of the formal goals of the Protected Areas and do not directly provide funding to the areas, there are clear limitations for

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