NEWS & EVENTS
Workshop on Ecosystem Services in the Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise
Context
The GUARDEN Project (safeGUARDing biodiversity and critical ecosystem services across sectors and scales) aims to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services by fostering collaboration and developing practical tools. With case studies in multiple countries, the project works to create solutions that can be adapted to specific regional needs. In France, the focus is on improving and synthesizing knowledge of flora, habitats, and ecosystem services, to ensure their better integration into the planning of transport infrastructure and urbanization efforts.
The Conservatoire botanique national méditerranéen de Porquerolles (CBNM), a GUARDEN partner, is leading the French case study. One of the key tools developed is aimed at mapping ecosystem services and assessing how they change under various land-use planning scenarios. For this study, the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Regional Nature Park was selected as a partner due to its rich biodiversity. The Montpellier-Perpignan New Line, a planned railway development, will potentially affect the park both directly and indirectly.
Key Objectives
On 30th September, the GUARDEN partners HUA and CBNM organized a workshop in Narbonne, France, with two primary goals:
- To refine the initial modelling results based on input from local park stakeholders.
- To collaboratively develop potential rail route scenarios, taking into account their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Workshop Schedule
- Presentation of the ecosystem services analysis method.
- Improvement of initial results through participatory mapping with stakeholders.
- Co-creation of land-use planning scenarios and assessment of their impacts on ecosystem services and biodiversity using participatory mapping.
- Selection of formats for displaying the ecosystem services analysis results.
- Distribution of a questionnaire to support further modelling of ecosystem services.
Conclusion
This collaborative workshop served as a crucial step in integrating local knowledge and expertise into the modelling process. By engaging with stakeholders and incorporating participatory mapping, the project aims to ensure that future infrastructure developments can balance human needs with the protection of valuable ecosystem services and biodiversity in the Narbonnaise region.