Database for Synthesis of Information on Ecosystem Services (SynES)

SynES is a database that was developed to synthesis site-specific biophysical and socio-economic information on ES. It allows a consistent integration of information by multiple users and from multiple sources. It is a flexible tool that can be used within an individual ES assessment/project or if desired for the integration of ES information from multiple assessments, projects and databases.

Ecosystems

Coastal
Continental shelf
Cropland
Grassland
Heathland and shrub
Marine inlets and transitional waters
Open ocean
Rivers and lakes
Sparsely vegetated land
Urban
Wetlands
Woodland and forest

Implementation

Certification / standards
Reporting

Methods

Bayesian belief networks
Classification and typology
Cost-based valuation
Cost-benefit analysis
Ecosystem assessment
Hedonic property pricing
Impact assessment
Institutional analysis
Landscape character assessment
Life cycle analysis
Mapping/GIS
Modelling
Multi-criteria decision analysis/decision-support tools
Natural capital accounting
Off-setting
Participatory scenario analysis
Photo-elicitation surveys
Photo-series analysis
Policy analysis
Production function approach
Public participation
Risk assessment
Scenario development
Shadow pricing
Social impact assessment
Spread-sheet methods
Stakeholder analysis
Stakeholder involvement
State-and-Transition Models
Stated preference methods
Time use studies (valuation)
Travel cost methods
Valuation: deliberative
Valuation: monetary
Valuation: narrative
Valuation: non-monetary
Valuation: preference assessment surveys
Valuation: socio cultural
Valuation: value transfer

Regions

Atlantic
Alpine
Continental
Northern
Southern

Topics

Cultural service
Ecosystem services
Goods
Governance
Provisioning service
Regulating service
Supporting service

Additional information

SynES is available upon request, therefore, please contact Stefan Schmidt <stefan.schmidt@ufz.de>.

Constraints

SynES version 1.1 runs only wih Microsoft Access
SynES version 1.1 features only basic search and visualization functions
Integration of entire new database in SynES version 1.1 is time consuming

Product requirements

To run SynES version 1.1 Microsoft Access is required. In case of increasing demand stand-alone version will be developed.
The SynES application and guide is available on request.

Advantages

Facilitates synthesis work in ES assessment/project or across multiple assessments, projects and databases - Orientation for reporting: ‘blueprint protocol’ to report ES studies in a structured way, allowing for rigorous and efficient synthesis.
Standardisation and links to already existing standards allows for a consistent integration of ES information by multiple user and from multiple sources. Easy to use interface.
Extendable, due to user needs: SynES updates are in progress and it can be evolved in accordance to specific user requirements

Case studies

Other related case studies:

Seppelt R, Dormann CF, Eppink FV, Lautenbach S, Schmidt S. 2011. A quantitative review of ecosystem service studies: approaches, shortcomings and the road ahead. Journal of Applied Ecology 48:630–636. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01952.x

Contact details

Ralf Seppelt: ralf.seppelt@ufz.de