Marine and coastal ecosystem services on the science–policy–practice nexus : challenges and opportunities from 11 European case studies

We compared and contrasted 11 European case studies to identify challenges and opportunities
toward the operationalization of marine and coastal ecosystem service (MCES) assessments in
Europe. This work is the output of a panel convened by the Marine Working Group of the
EcosystemServices Partnership in September 2016. TheMCES assessments were used to (1) address
multiple policy objectives simultaneously, (2) interpret EU-wide policies to smaller scales and (3)
inform local decision-making. Most of the studies did inform decision makers, but only in a few
cases, the outputswere applied or informed decision-making. Significant limitations among the 11
assessments were the absence of shared understanding of the ES concept, data and knowledge
gaps, difficulties in accounting for marine social–ecological systems complexity and partial stakeholder
involvement. The findings of the expert panel call for continuous involvement of MCES ‘end
users’, integrated knowledge onmarine social–ecological systems, defining thresholds to MCES use
and raising awareness to the general public. Such improvements at the intersection of science,
policy and practice are essential starting points toward building a stronger science foundation
supporting management of European marine ecosystems.