1. Introduction & Objectives

It is clear that at a global level the challenges and problems of the Mediterranean climate zone do not get a lot of attention. For instance, in bodies like IPBES and CBD, biodiversity and ecosystem services data and knowledge on Mediterranean challenges are largely missing from scientific agenda’s, reports and assessments. Therefore, we are looking for ways to create more visibility and one way could be to collaborate developing Mediterranean focused papers and events that have relevancy at larger scales.

This could be achieved via many means, for instance by facilitating the inclusions of more Mediterranean case studies in international studies, by providing Mediterranean data in larger studies, but also by collaborating together in papers on selected topics.

In this perspective, we would like to use this ESP working group as a vehicle to bring experts from different disciplines and ecosystems together to start working for more visibility of Mediterranean challenges at a global level. If you are interested, we would like to invite you, to join this platform and jointly provide and discuss ideas, launch papers and organise other academic activities.

Objective: The objective of this Working Group is to form a platform where colleagues with an interest in ecosystem services and in the Mediterranean climate zone can find each other, exchange ideas and launch collaborations for projects and papers. There are several objectives which motivate the members of this working groups in particular:

• The possibility to propose methodological improvements to ongoing assessments and reporting efforts that can provide the inclusion of Mediterranean trends and challenges.
• Search for some solutions for shared methodological problems regarding of the input data (e.g., data resolution, quality and finding them in the first place) or the inclusion of common Mediterranean challenges (e.g. inclusion of stakeholder diversity, specific risks such a soil erosion, fire and draughts).
• Being able to pose open questions to a diversity of experts and start discussions and collaborations with those interested to follow up on the subject.

The discussion forum

This Working Group exchanges ideas, posts updates, form collaborations and starts paper initiatives via a Discussion platform. This discussion platform is only accessible for Working Group members via this link.

Latest news

• The BWG5 at the ESP Europe Regional conference, San Sebastián, 15-19 October 2018
• New publication from members fo the BWG5: how are we assessing the future of Mediterranean forests, September 2018.
• New publication from members of the BWG5: use of a GPS-based outdoor game to evaluate flows of recreational services, June 2018.
• New publication from members of the BWG5: agricultural landscapes, ecosystem services and regional competitiveness, June 2018.
• New publication from members of the BWG5: expert-based matrices for ES assessments, May 2018
• New publication from members of the BWG5: impacts of urbanization in ecosystem service supply, May 2018
• New publication from members of the BWG5: global change effects on land management in the Mediterranean region, May 2018
• BWG 5 members lead a session in the next ESP European Conference, San Sebastián, 15-19 October 2018.
• New OPPLA webinar on how ES can/should be included in policy, September 2017
• BWG5 members participated at the MedECC workshop in Marseille, July 2017
• New publication from members of the BWG5, July 2017
• BWG 5 members participated at the XIV MEDECOS & AEET meeting in Seville, January 2017

2. Lead Team & Members

• Ilse Geijzendorffer (France)
• Ana Ruiz Frau (Spain)
• Alejandra Morán Ordóñez (Spain)

3. Related Networks and Projects

Related projects include the GEO BON Ecosystem Service working group,  EU BON, OPERAs, OPENNESS, BIODIVMEX and OT-MED.

4. More Information

For more information about activities and outputs of this working group click on the following link:

• Activities & Outputs