Nordic IBPES-like assessment of coastal ecosystems: Chapter 2: Nature s contributions to people and human well-being in a Nordic coastal context

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1 Nordic IBPES-like assessment of coastal ecosystems: Chapter 2: Nature s contributions to people and human well-being in a Nordic coastal context Chapter 4: Direct and indirect drivers of change in the context of different perspectives of human well-being (quality of life) Henrik Svedäng Swedish Institute of the Marine Environment (SIME), Gothenburg University, Sweden

2 Chapter 2: The intention of IPBES assessments To promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development The key elements are nature, the benefits that people derive from nature and a high quality of life Exploring and describing the connections between the natural world and human societies in such bio-cultural landscapes.

3 Cultural values in general terms and ILK Landscapes as well as the biological diversity play a major role in shaping the cultural history Farming, fishing methods, hunting techniques and other customary practices have been developed in relation to the local landscape and its biodiversity. Consequently, there are cultural values and expectations closely linked to the harvest of particular biological resources. Today such events are upholding a sense of identity in the local communities.

4 Fish is important as food supply, as well as of great recreational and cultural value in all Nordic bio-cultural landscapes Monitoring fishing in the Öresund Monitoring fishing in the Gullmar fjord

5 Trade-offs There are trade-offs between bio-cultural values and biodiversity, e.g. eel fishing

6 Knowledge gaps Monitor all types of ecosystem services, i.e. provisioning, regulating, cultural as well as supporting services. We need to critically review existing indicators It is crucial to integrate indicators and other forms of data sources by analysing and synthesising information into coherent hypotheses and system pictures We need better knowledge of the role of equity in the society for biodiversity, bio-cultural diversity and the preservation of ecosystem services.

7 Chapter 4: The intention of IPBES assessments The purpose is, on a conceptual level, to depict how the natural world and human societies interact with each other Habitat degradation, including exploiting the environmental space for constructions, eutrophication, fishing and climate change are example on direct drivers of change that affect Nordic coastal habitats. Policy and governance are principal indirect drivers that both could lead to decline and deteriorations as well as improvements and recoveries of Nordic marine environments. Climate change will affect Nordic marine biodiversity profoundly in the future, important to mitigate its effects on ecosystem services

8 Natural drivers Sea urchin graze on kelp and will ultimately destroy kelp forests unless controlled by physical factors or predation

9 Anthropogenic drivers Climate change and tourism

10 Anthropogenic drivers Eutrophication, brownification and acidification are important human drivers in parts of the Baltic Sea

11 Policy recommendations The Right to public access is an important NCP in the Nordic countries. However, the access to sea shores and natural environments is increasingly under threat from exploitation Nordic countries have a good possibility to be forerunners towards environmental, cultural, social and economic sustainability by decoupling economic growth from natural resources use & environmental impacts Hopefully, the overall democratic, tolerant and inclusive views and attitudes found in the Nordic countries will facilitate a development towards a more sustainable society. In this endeavour, NGOs and ILK communities will play an important role.