Skip to main content
Home
Help & contact
  • Help
    • FAQ
    • Legal notice & privacy policy
    • Accessibility
    • Anti-fraud policy
  • Contact
    • Contact form
    • Our team
    • National Point of Contact
    • Jobs and tenders
My account
  • Create new account
  • New website! you need to:Reset your password
  • Discover the programme
    Back

    About us

    • What is Interreg Europe ?
    • Facts and figures
    • Programme structure
    • 2014-2020 programme
    • Country specific info

    Programme actions

    • Image
      Projects
      Discover approved projects and get inspired
    • Image
      Policy Learning Platform
      Get policy advice and find solutions for your region

    Programme documents

    • Image
      Programme manual
    • Image
      Cooperation programme
    • Image
      Annual implementation report
    • Image
      Logo and branding guidelines

    Programme news

    A green landscape with hills covered by dense forestry and a herder with cattle in front
    Governance and finance for protected areas
    19 May 2022
    See all

    See also

    • Apply to next call
    • See project results
    • Look for policy solutions
  • Look for funding
    Back

    Next call for projectsDiscover our terms of reference

    Country specific informationCheck your country rules

    Main navigation - Steps

    • Image
      1. Check project relevance
      Use our self-assessment tool
    • Image
      2. Get inspired
      See approved projects and project ideas
    • Image
      Now available!
      3. Share your project idea
      Explain what you want to do with your project
    • Image
      4. Find partners
      Look for relevant organisations
    • Image
      5. Ask for feedback
      Get guidance before applying
    • Image
      Until 31 May 2022
      6. Apply for the call
      Submit your project proposal

    Applicant news

    A green landscape with hills covered by dense forestry and a herder with cattle in front
    Governance and finance for protected areas
    19 May 2022
    See all

    See also

    • Project implementation guidance
    • Support & FAQs
  • Approved projects
    Back

    Approved projects

    Projects by topic: See all
    Image
    Smart
    Image
    Green
    Image
    Connected
    Image
    Social
    Image
    Citizens
    Image
    Governance
    Search approved projects by :
    Country(France, Italy, Germany...)

    Implement project

    • Programme manual
    • Guidance and templates
    • First level control

    Project results

    • Overview
      Latest programme achievements
    • Image
      Web documentary
      A set of video stories about project results

    Project news

    A green landscape with hills covered by dense forestry and a herder with cattle in front
    Governance and finance for protected areas
    19 May 2022

    See also

    • Facts and figures
    • Policy solutions
  • Get policy advice
    Back

    Our expert team

    The Policy Learning Platform consists of a team of Thematic Experts supporting practitioners and policymakers across Europe.
    More about the experts
    Discover the Platform

    Contact us

    Our policy learning services

    • Image
      Peer review
      Get feedback from relevant peers during a two-day in-depth analysis. (for public authorities)
    • Image
      Matchmaking session
      Get inspired from good practices across Europe during a two-hour exchange
    • Image
      Policy helpdesk
      We provide answers to any type of questions you might face in regional policymaking

    Platform news

    A green landscape with hills covered by dense forestry and a herder with cattle in front
    Governance and finance for protected areas
    19 May 2022
    See all

    See also

    • People in our community
    • Policy solutions
    • Project funding
  • Find policy solutions
    Back

    Resources by topic

    See all
    Image
    Smart
    Image
    Green
    Image
    Connected
    Image
    Social
    Image
    Citizens
    Image
    Governance
    Search resources by :
    Country(France, Italy, Germany...)

    Resources by type

    • Good practices
      Don't miss!
      Tested and transferable solutions from approved projects
    • Stories
      Thematic articles about our good practices
    • Policy briefs
      Expert analyses of the Interreg Europe projects and topics
    • Event learnings
      Recordings and materials from our webinars and workshops
    • Expert support reports
      Reports from peer reviews and matchmaking sessions

    Thematic news

    A green landscape with hills covered by dense forestry and a herder with cattle in front
    Governance and finance for protected areas
    19 May 2022
    See all

    See also

    • Our policy advice
    • Project implementation guidance
  • Meet the community
    Back

    Connect with members

    Members by interests : See all
    Image
    Smart
    Image
    Green
    Image
    Connected
    Image
    Social
    Image
    Citizens
    Image
    Governance
    Search members by :
    Country(France, Italy, Germany...)

    Connect with

    • Interreg Europe team
    • Platform experts
    • National points of contact

    Create an account

    Connect with like-minded people from all over Europe and:

    • Find cooperation partners
    • Follow their latest activities
    • Exchange good practices
    • Get personalised feed

    Read more

    Create account

    Community news

    A green landscape with hills covered by dense forestry and a herder with cattle in front
    Governance and finance for protected areas
    19 May 2022
    See all

    See also

    • Our policy advice
    • Projects ideas looking for partners
  1. Home
  2. Find policy solutions
  3. Good practices 
  4. LIFE EcosystemServices: Ecosystem Services Assessment Methodology (ESAM)
Image

LIFE EcosystemServices: Ecosystem Services Assessment Methodology (ESAM)

GreenBiodiversity preservation
By project PROGRESS
Published on 28 June 2021
Janis Zvirgzdins
Researcher
Sign up to contact

Send an email

Janis Zvirgzdins

About text formats
You can upload up to 3 files with a storage duration limit of 2 weeks (from email reception date). Supported format: .pdf, .doc. docx. xls .xlsx . odt .ods . jpg .png. Maximum size : 10mo.

Send an email

Your mail has been sent !

This window will automatically close in 5s...

Close

About this good practice

The main aim of the “LIFE EcosystemServices” (LIFE) project is to promote the evaluation of ecosystem services based on a sustainable decision making for the Latvian (Baltic Sea) coastal policy and planning documents, as well as to increase public awareness about ecosystem services. The Ecosystem Services Assessment Methodology (ESAM) which is developed within the LIFE project provides an innovative approach for the territorial planning processes in coastal areas, thus, ensuring the balance between environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, as well as social and economic aspects. The ESAM comprises 22 ecosystem services’ indicators divided into 3 groups: 1) provisioning services; 2) regulating and supporting services; 3) cultural services. Based on these indicators the biophysical assessment was carried out and produced possible development scenarios for piloting two Baltic Sea coastal areas (Saulkrasti – 132.86 ha; Jaunķemeri – 90.85 ha; both areas are specially protected Natura 2000 sites in coastal territories).
For economic evaluation of ecosystem services, the LIFE project approbated methods, which were considered as the most suitable: Market Price Method; Travel Cost Method; Benefit Transfer Method. These methods based on 22 ecosystem services` indicators were used to determine the economic value of ecosystem services in EUR/ha.
Sign up to see the expert opinion

Resources needed

Total funding of the EU LIFE+ programme project LIFE13 ENV/LV/000839: 753 290 EUR;
Staff Costs: 423 300 EUR;
Travel Costs: 27 900 EUR;
External Assistance Costs: 171 000 EUR;
Biophysical Assessment Costs: 48 473 EUR (216,68 EUR/ha);
Economic Evaluation Costs: 115 459 EUR (516,11 EUR/ha).

Evidence of success

ESAM methodology and “Toolkit for using the ecosystem services approach in planning” (http://riks.ekosistemas.daba.gov.lv/) for ecosystems evaluation in coastal areas has been developed and can be used by coastal municipalities. Recommendations obtained during the approbation of ESAM have been developed and integrated in the planning documents:
Saulkrasti municipality Development Programme 2014 – 2020;
Nature Management Plan for Natura 2000 site – Nature Park “Piejūra”.

Potential for learning or transfer

The LIFE project produced the methodology (ESAM) and the ESAM toolkit for evaluating ecosystem services in coastal areas. The ESAM provides a possibility to measure ecosystem services in monetary terms. Therefore, by using the ESAM, more efficient governance of the land use can be achieved which could also be valuable for other regions. Even though this GP has a greater potential for being transferred to coastal areas, the framework of ESAM can also be adjusted for evaluating ecosystem services in non-coastal areas by using these indicators: 1) provisioning services; 2) regulating services; and 3) cultural services.
The awareness raising activities, such as the development of Nature Design Park, as well as designed educational and visual materials can also serve as an inspiration for raising the awareness on environmental protection and for enhancing ecosystem services in other regions.

Further information

Website

Website

Good practice owner

Organisation

Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia

Latvia
Latvija
Contact
Janis Zvirgzdins
Researcher
Sign up to contact

Send an email

Janis Zvirgzdins

About text formats
You can upload up to 3 files with a storage duration limit of 2 weeks (from email reception date). Supported format: .pdf, .doc. docx. xls .xlsx . odt .ods . jpg .png. Maximum size : 10mo.

Send an email

Your mail has been sent !

This window will automatically close in 5s...

Close
Summary

    Share

    LIFE EcosystemServices: Ecosystem Services Assessment Methodology (ESAM) https://www.interregeurope.eu/good-practices/life-ecosystemservices-ecosystem-services-assessment-methodology-esam
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin

    Similar good practices

    See all good practices
    Image
    Good practice - Green
    2014 - 2020

    Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco and Activity Park

    The Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park is an innovative and sustainable visitor attraction designed to be a microcosm of the nature reserve it adjoins.
    27 Jan 2022 | By project Blue Green City
    Expert approved
    Image
    2014 - 2020

    Eco tourism - a sustainable chain

    We created a network of companies in order to support each other and together strengthen the sustainable chain that is eco tourism.
    20 Jan 2022 | By project WLE
    Expert approved
    Image
    Good practice - Green
    2014 - 2020

    Monitoring

    Knowledge is power and measurement is the key to knowledge. Only once you know how people behave, you can make the correct conclusions and act upon them.
    20 Jan 2022 | By project WLE
    Expert approved
    Image
    2014 - 2020

    Involving citizens through hybrid participation formats

    The hybrid design of citizens participation is both digital and on the spot. It allows to capture a broad variety of community views.
    19 Jan 2022 | By project Blue Green City
    Expert approved
    Image
    2014 - 2020

    “Luxus der Leere” in the Altmark region

    "Luxus der Leere" is a joint initiative of municipalities in the Altmark region for the development of more sustainable settlement structures.
    19 Jan 2022 | By project RENATUR
    Expert approved
    Image
    2014 - 2020

    Viticulture Impact Assessment on the Environment (VIVA)

    Product’s footprint and company’s environmental, social and economic impact supported by capacity building initiatives on sustainability in the supply chain.
    13 Jan 2022 | By project LCA4Regions
    Expert approved
    Image
    2014 - 2020

    Methods and tools for developing a sustainable landscape plan for the metropolitan area

    Multiscale analysis based on landscape ecology, ES, vulnerabilty and resilience used to integrate landscape complexity in a Green and Blue Infrastructure plan
    21 Dec 2021 | By project Blue Green City
    Expert approved
    Image
    2014 - 2020

    Wines of Alentejo Sustainability programme - WASP

    A programme to support economic agents in improving the environmental, social and economic performance of the region's winegrowing activity.
    10 Dec 2021 | By project LCA4Regions
    Expert approved

    Contact us

    • Our team
    • Points of contact
    • Jobs & tenders
    • Contact form

    Help

    • FAQ
    • COVID-19

    Key links

    • List of operations
    • List of calls
    • L'Europe s'engage
    • European Commission

    Join the community

    • Meet new people and find partners
    • Join our events: in person and online
    • Get a personalised content
    • Exchange good practices

    Join the community

    Home

    Footer

    • Legal
    • Cookies
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy