Research and analysis

Environment Agency natural capital condition indicator mapping - summary

Published 20 October 2023

Applies to England

1. Chief Scientist’s Group report summary

This project explored the natural capital condition and ecosystem service evidence base available to support mapping through participatory workshops and an evidence review. Its findings will help the Environment Agency and others to understand the links between river condition and delivery of ecosystem services, the evidence that supports this, approaches to mapping this, and the evidence gaps to target.

1.1 Background

Geospatial evidence is particularly important in assessing the state of natural capital as the location of natural assets (and their connectivity) directly affects the ecosystem services and benefits derived. However, a previous Environment Agency review of natural capital user needs and evidence gaps identified that natural capital geospatial evidence is currently patchy and not easily accessible, limiting its application to support strategic planning, interventions, and investments. Additionally, asset condition (quality) is an important factor influencing ecosystem service provision but is not well understood, particularly in the water environment.

Phase 1 of this project aimed to explore whether it was possible to use condition indicators to enhance understanding of ecosystem service provision and create broadscale maps by reviewing:

• The inference of riverine natural capital condition from existing data, indicators, tools, and models
• Approaches to mapping riverine natural asset condition
• The evidence base linking asset condition and the provision of ecosystem services

Subsequent phases will use the outputs to develop riverine condition and ecosystem service mapping.

1.2 Approach

1. Identify user needs, priorities, and definitions through workshops and review of key resources.
2. Use Defra Quick Scoping Review (QSR) method to assess scientific literature for evidence and gaps.
3. Review how river asset condition and ecosystem services can be inferred from existing data.
4. Review the OxCam Local Natural Capital Plan (LNCP) approach to mapping habitat quality.
5. Assess the evidence base and recommend data and indicators appropriate for mapping.
6. Independent expert technical review

1.3 Results

Key outcomes were:

• Reusable frameworks and methods for mapping indicators and reviewing natural capital evidence.
• Links between river asset condition and ecosystem services captured (flow charts and databases).
• Evidence base assessed to show where evidence and methods are robust and where there are gaps.
• Recommendations for indicators and mapping development, presenting results, and filling gaps.
• Co-design process harnessed interdisciplinary expertise and increased stakeholder capability.

For some ecosystem services there were lots of data and tools available, and evidence linking to condition, but some gaps were apparent (particularly for cultural services). The links between condition and ecosystem services was generally available, but with less evidence concerning the nature of the relationship between them, making links difficult to quantify. Note this was a synoptic review of evidence and there will be gaps.

1.4 Conclusions

It was found that in the absence of detailed riverine condition data, condition indicators can be used to enhance our understanding of natural capital condition and ecosystem services and create broadscale maps. This is an emerging area of science, and outputs will be of interest to natural capital practitioners, academics, and policymakers. The evidence and evidence gaps identified could inform further research, evidence development or monitoring.

1.5 Publication details

This summary relates to information reported in detail in the following output:

• Title: EA Natural Capital Condition Indicator Mapping: Phase 1 Evidence Review

• Environment Agency Project Manager: Alice Crouch, Chief Scientist’s Group

• Contractor Project Manager: Jim Rouquette, Natural Capital Solutions, in collaboration with the River Restoration Centre.

This project was commissioned by the Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools, and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible. It was funded by the Defra-wide Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme.

Enquiries: research@environment-agency.gov.uk.

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