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The web tool: a living instrument

This manual is an update of the 2013 printed manual. It describes the latest insights in the field of quantification and valuation of ecosystem services in Flanders. The most important changes can be found on the home page of the Nature Value Explorer in the version management document.

evolution

Refinement of methods and expansion of services​

Based on a review by experts in Flanders, minor adjustments were made to the existing methods. This review can be found in the background documents as "review document 2014". New insights arising from the research project 'ECOPLAN' (Vrebos D. et al. 2020) were also included in the manual and web tool.

In addition, an additional manual has been produced for the ecosystem services provided by green measures in an urban environment. This was necessary because the information about the effects of green measures differs from that of large units of nature or agriculture. Often other ecosystem services also play an important role, e.g. limiting heat stress.

In addition to ecosystem services, which depart from an anthropocentric perspective, users asked to include the biological value of changes in the tool in one way or another. Based on the valuation behind the Organic Valuation Map, a score was developed together with INBO and input from ANB and Natuurpunt that also shows this value.

Additional ecosystem services are added to the tool when information becomes available.

Improved functionalities​

Through conversations with users and comments given while demonstrating the tool at workshops, we learn which functionalities can improve the use of the Nature Value Explorer.

Since April 2018, the user no longer has to collect the necessary data to complete the tool. The user only has to draw his study area and the measures to be taken on the map. The tool then collects the required input data from available background maps and fills them in automatically. This data can always be modified by the user if he has more recent or more detailed data. Since October 2020, the user can also choose to upload a scenario and the associated measures as a shapefile in the tool. Since 2021, these functionalities are not only available for Flemish users, but also for Walloon users.

The user can also export the results to excel. In addition to the results, the input data and key figures used are displayed for each service. There is also a link to an example in this manual so that the user can clearly verify the calculation method.

This manual consists on the one hand of a short practical guide on how to use the tool and an extensive clarification of the methods and figures used for the quantification and monetization of the ecosystem services. An instructional video will soon be published that will guide the user in using the tool. If desired, short courses are also given.

User engagement​

User engagement is a critical component and driving factor behind these changes. Based on feedback from an end-user survey, from the steering group and informal contacts with users, the most important points for improvement were listed and addressed. It is our ambition to continue to develop this manual and the tool and to update it on a regular basis with the current knowledge in the field of quantification and valuation. The tool can thus be regarded as a "living" mechanism that can be used together with or integrated into decision tools. We therefore strongly recommend that you always consult the website of the Nature Value Explorer for the latest version of the manual.

You as a reader, expert or user can also contribute to this by providing information/suggestions about

  • your good or bad experiences with the manual/Nature Value Explorer;
  • sources of information to improve existing calculation methods;
  • how we can further improve the user-friendliness of the tool;
  • methods to value additional ecosystem services.

You can do this via the linkedin page of the Nature Value Explorer or by sending an email to the addresses on the contact page.