SELS symposium: Quantification, Valuation and Financing of Ecosystem Services

Quantification, Valuation and Financing of Ecosystem Services:
the role of scientific knowledge in policy and decision-making

Organization: Speerpunt Ecosystem & Landscape Services (SELS)
Dolf de Groot (ESA), Leon Braat (Alterra), Roel Jongeneel(LEI) en Abco de Buck (PPO)

Summary of the day

Aim of the day is to present the results-to-date of the SELS research program (2006 – 2009) and discuss the role of scientific knowledge on ecosystem services in policy-making.

In the morning, an overview will be given of four main SELS research themes:

1. Quantifying ecosystem services (Abco de Buck)
2. Valuation of ecosystem services and trade-off analysis (Roel Jongeneel)
3. Financing ecosystem services (Dolf de Groot)
4. Ecosystem services in landscape planning, management & design (Leon Braat)

In the afternoon, in three parallel workshops, it will be discussed how knowledge on ecosystem services is, or could be used in three main policy areas:

• The Natuurverkenning 2011 (‘Nature Assessment’ 2011) aims to assess the quality and quantity of ecosystem services in the Dutch landscape (organized by Dick Melman & Rob Alkemade)
• There is much discussion about the costs of the National Ecological Network (EHS) but protecting ecosystems and landscapes (e.g. Natura 2000) also provides many economic and social benefits (organized by Aris Gaaff & Roel Jongeneel)
• The new Dutch Biodiversity Policy aims to strengthen biodiversity protection in and outside the Netherlands, and stimulates innovative financing mechanisms for nature conservation (organized by John van Himbergen en Leon Braat)

The day will close with a panel discussion and outlook into the future