The aim of this report is to highlight the relevance of implementing an ecosystem-based approach in the marine ecosystem accounting. The evidences are based on non-exhaustive literature review and data and analyses present in non-public external study reports commissioned by Joint Research Centre (section 1, 2, 3), and are used to present a conceptual framework (section 4) for marine accounts. The report will focus on seagrass ecosystems, with a case study in the Mediterranean Sea, explaining their importance as essential (vulnerable) ecosystems with several key roles, from biodiversity hotspots to climate change mitigation, and highlighting their characteristics, condition, threats, and potential values of ecosystem services fundamental for the society and economy. Finally, the report will summarize the main methodologies applied for seagrass restoration (section 3) and include a brief narrative on the marine ecosystem accounting (section 4) as pivotal implementation of conservation, protection and restoration actions in the framework of European legislations, such as Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Proposal
on Nature Restoration Law, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, Ecosystem-based Approach for Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, Nature-based Solutions, Sustainable Blue Economy, Taxonomy Regulation for Sustainable Activities, and the Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
ADDAMO Anna;
LA NOTTE Alessandra;
2023-06-27
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC130756
978-92-68-03992-2 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 31527 EN,
OP KJ-NA-31-527-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC130756,
10.2760/612075 (online),
