In Slovenia, the project Identification, assessment and mapping of ecosystem services in valuable nature conservation areas in Slovenia – NatGuidES has started in October. The main aim of the project is to establish a protocol for identifying, mapping and assessing ecosystem services in valuable nature conservation areas.
Background
In Slovenia 37% of the territory is under Natura 2000 network, 13% is covered by protected areas and there are over 17,400 valuable natural features. All these areas provide numerous ecosystem services that are important for the general public, such as sequestration of atmospheric carbon in above-ground plant biomass and soil, retention of pollutants and prevention of their leaching into groundwater, and attractive spaces for recreation and tourism activities.
Aims
The main aim of the project is to establish a protocol for identifying, mapping and assessing ecosystem services in valuable nature conservation areas. The project will thus be the first step towards improving the understanding of the importance of protected areas as well as raising awareness of the concept of ecosystem services, which is currently weak in Slovenia.
Project duration: October 2021 – September 2023
Partners:
- Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Scineces and Arts (ZRC SAZU, Lead partner)
- The Slovenian Forestry Institute
- Biotechnical Faculty at University of Ljubljana
Read more here.