The role of conceptual frameworks in operationalizing the concept of ecosystem services is synthetized in Potschin et al (2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.05.015.They conclude that the cascade model was able to provide a common reference for a diverse set of case studies. However, to be used effectively, conceptual models may need to be supported by other materials to link the concept of ecosystem services to human well-being, sustainable ecosystem management, good governance, and competitiveness.
A policy analysis of key regulatory frameworks within Europe showed that the ecosystem services concept has not yet been mainstreamed across policy sectors but is confined to biodiversity, forestry and agricultural policies (Bouwma et al. 2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.02.014. Key policy messages related to regulatory frameworks are summarized in policy briefs on urban planning, water management, land use management and renewable energy policies as well as biodiversity offsetting.
Four EU level scenario storylines were developed to assess the future impacts of multiple drivers, including policies, on land-use change, biodiversity and a range of ecosystem services (Priess et al. 2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.08.006.
The experience from testing 43 methods in the OpenNESS case studies resulted in an integrative ecosystem service assessment framework (Barton and Harrison 2017); a set of decision trees to help structure and guide the process of selecting individual methods (Harrison et al. 2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.016; an analysis of the method combinations used in practice in the OpenNESS case studies (Dunford et al. 2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.10.014 an evaluation of the practical challenges of integrated ecosystem service appraisals (Barton et al. 2017); and 31 method factsheets. These guidance tools and fact sheets are available via Oppla.
The results from the place-based applications are published in individual case study papers (www.openness-project.eu) and summarized across the case studies by Dick et al. (2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.015 and Saarikoski et al. (2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.07.019. The key message emerging from the case studies is that ecosystem services knowledge is most effective, and operational, when decision-makers, practitioners and key stakeholders have been closely involved in the assessment process to ensure that they find the information relevant and reliable, and are ready to act upon it.
Barton, D & Harrison, P. (eds). 2017. Integrated assessment and valuation of ecosystem services. Guidelines and experiences EU FP7 OpenNESS Project Deliverable 33-44, European Commission FP7, 2017.