ESMERALDA – Enhancing ecoSysteM sERvices mApping for poLicy and Decision mAking. The first Z_GIS Horizon 2020 project starts in February 2015

Mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services (ES) are core to the EU Biodiversity (BD) Strategy. They are essential if we are to make informed decisions. Action 5 sets the requirement for an EU-wide knowledge base designed to be: a primary data source for developing Europe’s green infrastructure; resource to identify areas for ecosystem restoration.

In response to these requirements, the 42 months long ESMERALDA project aims to deliver a flexible methodology to provide the building blocks for pan-European and regional assessments on mapping ecosystems and their services. The work of the 18 partner consortium will ensure the timely delivery to EU member states in relation to Action 5 of the BD Strategy, supporting the needs of assessments in relation to the requirements for planning, agriculture, climate, water and nature policy. Z_GIS will contribute to the mapping approach and will integrate biophysical and integrated assessment techniques.
Coordinator: CHRISTIAN-ALBRECHTS-UNIVERSITAET ZU KIEL; Dr. Benjamin Burkhard.
For more information, please contact Hermann Klug @ Z_GIS