Applying the ecosystem service concept to Waterborne Transport Infrastructure

7-8 November 2019. Ahoy, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Boerema A - University of Antwerp, Belgium; Hack JH - TU Darmstadt, Germany; Apitz SE - SEA Environmental Decisions, UK; Boon A - Deltares, the Netherlands; Cofrancesco A - U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, USA; De Boer G - Royal Haskoning DHV, the Netherlands; Guannel G - The Nature Conservancy, USA; Hopper D - New South Wales Government, Australia; Krebs M - Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Emden, Germany; Moulaert I - Jan De Nul, Belgium; Chambers K - US Army Corps Headquarters, USA; Fuchs E - Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde, Germany

Summary: This paper will introduce the Ecosystem Service concept, in the context of Waterborne Transport Infrastructure, as a holistic tool which can be applied to all stages of a project cycle. Drawing on best practice examples, it will provide guidance on how the navigation sector can successfully and supportively use the concept.

Ecosystem services assessment types that support decision making at different phases of a Waterborne Transport Infrastructure project lifecycle

• Use of the ES concept in WTI projects
• ES assessment can be complex and quantitative or more conceptual and qualitative
• Discussion of different ES application types along the WTI project cycle
• Discussion of benefits and added values ES concept can bring to a WTI project
• Lessons learned and recommendations for ES assessments based on a variety of case studies

Last update: 6 September 2019