Socio-economic approaches to measuring and protecting biodiversity

We point out the relations between societal, social and economic developments and different driving forces of and pressures on biodiversity as well as changes of ecosystems. These insights build the basis for the development of strategies to maintain ecosystems and their diversity with its entire dynamic.

1. Theme
Biodiversity contains the diversity of ecosystems, of species and the genetic diversity within species; it is threatened by many, mostly human made influences. We call the factors that directly impact the environment pressures and their causes driving forces.

2. Policy relevance
The damage of ecosystems and the loss of species can lead to the fact that functions and services of ecosystems, which are relevant for society, cannot be maintained. Among others climate change, invasive species or the impacts of environmental chemicals pose pressures, which are dependent on socio-economic and political developments. If for instance the CO₂ emissions are reduced by a stronger use of renewable energy sources, the pressure on ecosystems is decreased.

The aim of this research theme is to recognise, describe, analyse these relations on different scales and to examine how negative chains can be interrupted.

By influencing the source of the problems, namely the socio-economic development, by political measures and reforms, it is possible to reduce the effects of driving forces and thus the pressure on our ecosystems. Another option is to interrupt the functional chain between driving forces and pressures by targeted measures. The aim is in general to maintain the functions of the natural systems and their diversity. This should happen by adapting to changed circumstances and to the dynamic development, which is part of open, complex systems.

3. Specific contribution by SERI
SERI is examining the complex relations between society, economy and politics on the one hand and the biodiversity as well as the maintenance of natural systems on the other hand by applying different methods. Measures and strategies, which interrupt these relations and reduce the negative effects are developed and evaluated.

 

Examples for methods and approaches:

•	discourse analysis, interviews, and literature reviews to examine the societal relevant functions and services of ecosystems and species.
•	Application of participative methods for integrated assessment of these functions and services by case studies
•	Development of scenarios including measures and their evaluation with discursive and multi-criteria methods
•	Definition of indicators to measure the diversity and their endangering
•	Analysis of necessary institutional requirements for the implementation of the appropriate measures and suggestions for adequate governance

In 1992 the convention on biodiversity was decided in Rio, and it was ratified by the EU in 1993 and by Austria in 1994. There are two European directives (flora-fauna habitat directive, bird protection directive), which are the basis for the CBD implementation in the member states. SERI is supporting this implementation on two levels.

•	conceptual: Creation of implementation and monitoring concepts, integration of socio-economic and scientific research results
•	Implementation in countries, regions etc.