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Indicators to assess condition and biodiversity of ecosystems

Condition

Biodiversity

Drivers and pressures

State

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. Art.17 assessments (Habitat and species conservation status)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Endangered species richness and red lists

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Aggregated biodiversity indicators: Natural Capital Index

(NCI), Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII), Mean Species Abundance (MSA), Living Planet Index (LPI)

Forest

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Deposition

of air pollutants

(www.emep.int)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Forest Fires (EFFIS)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. SEBI 03 & 05 Species and Habitat conservation status (Art.17 data)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. Species richness (of different taxa) (country specific)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label SEBI 01 Abundance and distribution of selected species (woodland bird)

SEBI 02 Red List Index for European species

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Forest damage indicators (EFDAC)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Tree species richness (FISE, EFDAC)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Forest pattern indicators: Forest connectivity, morphology, edge interface, forest landscape mosaic (FISE, EFDAC).

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label SEBI013: fragmentation and connectivity (forest, natural/semi-natural areas) (EFDAC)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Soil condition (LUCAS)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Naturalness

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Forest area

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. SEBI 18 Deadwood

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Relative area of protected forest

Cropland and grassland

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 12 Intensification Extensification and CCI Farming intensity

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 26: Soil quality

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 22 Genetic Diversity

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 13 Specialisation

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. CCI 41: Soil Organic

Matter in arable land

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 25 Population trends of farmland birds and CCI 35 Farmland bird index

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. SEBI 02 Red List Index for European species

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 14 Risk of land abandonment

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. SEBI 03 & 05

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. Species and Habitat conservation status (Art.17)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. Species richness (of different taxa) (country specific)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 15,16 and CCI 40: Gross Nutrients Balance

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label SEBI 01 Abundance and

distribution of selected species (farmland birds, grassland butterfly

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. Assessment of pressures on species (Art.17)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 17 Pesticides risk

(cropland only)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. AEI 21 and CCI 42: Soil Erosion by water (cropland only)

Rivers and lakes

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Pollutant concentrations

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Ecological status (WFD)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Specific indicators collected to assess ecological status

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level but for which either harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment, which possibly results in different interpretations by the user. This is typically the case for indicators that are used to measure ecosystem condition, which are reused to assess particular ecosystem services. This colour also includes indicators that capture partially the ecosystem service assessed. SEBI 02 Red List Index for European species

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Modification of river system (dams per basin, ECRINS)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Over-exploitation- overfishing

Wetland

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Land take and conversion of wetlands

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Drought (EDO)

Transitional waters

and marine inlets

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Ecological status (WFD)

Coastal

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label Environmental status (MSFD)

Available indicator to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level for which harmonised, spatially-explicit data at European scale is available and which is easily understood by policy makers or non-technical audiences. Spatially-explicit data in this context refer to data that are at least available at the regional NUTS2 level or at a finer spatial resolution. CICES classifies ecosystem services at 4 hierarchical levels. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to consider an assessment of ecosystem services at a higher CICES level than at class level, especially if aggregated indicators are available. Indicators that aggregate information at higher hierarchical CICES level can therefore also have a green label MSFD descriptors 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6

SEBI 02 Red List Index for European species

Shelf

Ocean

Legend:

Indicators to measure the condition of an ecosystem, or the quantity of an ecosystem service at a given CICES level with harmonized, spatially-explicit data at European scale each evaluated according to 2 criteria: i) data availability and ii) ability to convey information to the policy making and implementation processes:

 indicator with sufficient harmonized spatial data (NUTS2 or finer), which can be easily understood by stakeholders.

 indicator for which either harmonized, spatially-explicit data at European scale is unavailable or which is used more than once in an ecosystem assessment.

 indicator with no harmonized, spatially-explicit data which only provides information at aggregated level and requires additional clarifications to non-technical audiences.

 indicator with unknown availability of reliable data and/or unknown ability to convey information to the policy making and implementation processes.

For an extended version of the color codes, see Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services, page 23