About the Project
ASEBIO - Assessment of Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity, and Well-Being in Portugal
The ASEBIO project is a research initiative focused on assessing and mapping ecosystem services (ES) and their vulnerabilities across mainland Portugal. Using CORINE land cover data from 1990 to 2018, ASEBIO evaluates the impacts of land cover change (LCC) on ES under various policy scenarios projected up to 2040. Ecosystem services, such as water purification and agricultural productivity, play a crucial role in human well-being. However, comprehensive ES assessments in Portugal have been limited, often localized, and ASEBIO seeks to address this gap.
The project’s objectives are structured around a collaborative, data-driven approach:
- Identification and Assessment: In partnership with stakeholders, ASEBIO will identify essential ecosystem services and conduct a national and regional biophysical assessment of ES and biodiversity in Portugal, using CORINE land cover data as the foundation.
- Vulnerability Analysis: ASEBIO assesses the vulnerability of ES and biodiversity to primary threats identified through stakeholder consultation.
- Scenario Development: To understand the long-term impact, the project defines land change scenarios for 2040 and measures their effects on ES and biodiversity, aiming to highlight potential trade-offs.
- Economic Valuation: Selected ecosystem services, such as water purification and agricultural yield, will be monetarily valued by estimating the costs associated with their deterioration under different scenarios.
- Well-Being Indicators: The project will propose human well-being indicators and analyze the potential impacts of LCC on well-being across the defined scenarios.
This research supports national and regional policy development by illustrating how changes in land use affect ecosystem services, biodiversity, and human well-being. The findings are expected to contribute to EU biodiversity goals by enhancing the understanding needed to protect and restore ecosystems and their services.
