Christian-Albrechts-Universität
zu Kiel
Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia
Institute for Natural Resource Conservation
Department of Ecosystem Management
ERASMUS MUNDUS MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN ECOHYDROLOGY
Provision of ecosystem services in the lagoon
of Venice: an initial spatial assessment
Silvia Rova
Felix Müller (Christian-Albrechts-Universitӓt zu Kiel, Germany)
Fabio Pranovi (Ca’ Foscari University, Venice, Italy)
Outline
1. Introduction
2. Motivation and objectives of the study
3. Methodology
4. Results and discussion
5. Conclusions
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1. Introduction
What are Ecosystem Services (ESS)?
ESS are the contributions of ecosystem structure and function –
in combination with other inputs – to human well-being
(Burkhard et al., 2012)
Environmental
Human
Systems
Human
Systems
Human-Environmental Systems
The concept of ESS provides a valuable framework to define and analyze linkages and
dependencies between natural and human systems (Burkhard et al., 2010)
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ESS classification
MA, 2005
TEEB, 2010;
Bohnke-Henrichs et
al., 2013
Beaumont et al.,
2007; Atkins et al.,
2011
Kandziora et al.,
2013
Liquete et al., 2013
PROVISIONING
CULTURAL
REGULATING
Over-arching
support services
Supporting
Regulating and
maintenance
Habitat
Option use values
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ESS classification
The following classification scheme is used in the present study:
Regulating services:
benefits that people obtain due to the regulation of natural processes,
such as water purification and erosion control.
Provisioning services:
all tangible products from ecosystems that humans make use for
nutrition, processing and energy use.
Cultural services:
intangible benefits that people receive from ecosystems in form of nonmaterial spiritual, religious, inspirational and educational experience
(Kandziora et al., 2013)
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ESS and DPSIR
Ecosystem
service
cascade
(Müller and Burkhard, 2012 ,Potschin and Haines-Young, 2011)
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The lagoon of Venice
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2. Motivation and Objectives
of the study
Motivation
The presence of man in the lagoon of Venice has always been
linked to the numerous benefits provided by the lagoon.
On the other hand, the great variety of human activities carried
out in the lagoon and its surroundings have lead to several
issues threatening the lagoon ecosystem.
The aknowledgement the benefits we get from ecosystems, and
of the effects of our activities on these services, is the first
step towards a sustainable management of natural resources.
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Objectives
Obj. 1: to identify the relevant ESS in the lagoon of Venice
Obj. 2: to map the spatial distribution of a subset of them
Obj. 3: to analyze how the patterns of ESS supply change in the different
Water Framework Directive’s water bodies, and to relate them with
driver, pressures and state indicators
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3. Methodology
Study area
Legend
subtidal flat
intertidal mudflat (natural)
intertidal mudflat (artificial)
salt marsh (natural)
salt marsh (artificial)
channel
fishing pond
land
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Methodology
1) ESS selection and definition of indicators
2) ESS mapping
3) Zonal analysis
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Assessed
Assessed
Not
assessed
Regulating services
Not
Assessed
assessed
Cultural services
Provisioning services
Ecosystem service
Aquaculture
Fish and Seafood
Sub-category
Clam
Fish (artisanal)
Indicator
Presence and intensity of fish harvest from aquaculture
Intensity of clam harvesting
Intensity of artisanal fishing activities
Birds
Catches from hunting activities
Fish (recreational)
Catches from recreational activities
Crops
-
Crops production
Recreation and tourism
Tourism
Density of cultural touristic attractions
Recreational navigation
Intensity of leisure boats traffic
Education
Frequency of excursions with environmental education purpose
Tradition
Presence and intensity of the following traditional activities: venetian
rowing, lugsail sailing, artisanal fishing, extensive aquaculture
practices and cultivation of traditional crops
Wild Food
Knowledge systems
Cultural heritage and cultural /////////
diversity
/////////
Natural heritage and natural
diversity
/////////
/////////
Erosion regulation
Biostabilization
Reduction of wind driven
resuspension
Erosion threshold (critical bed shear stress)
Spatial distribution of depths at which the modeled wind driven bed
shear stress is <0.7 Pa;
Surfaces of water located leeward from emerged structures
Natural hazard protection
Water purification
Nutrient regulation
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Global climate regulation
Susceptibility to wind driven Depth classes with different susceptibility to wind driven erosion
erosion (negative
component)
/////////
/////////
/////////
/////////
/////////
/////////
/////////
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Methodology
1) ESS selection and definition of indicators
2) ESS mapping
a) Provisioning and cultural ESS
b) Erosion regulation
3) Zonal analysis
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Zones
Legend
subtidal flat
intertidal mudflat (natural)
intertidal mudflat (artificial)
salt marsh (natural)
salt marsh (artificial)
Overlay with service-specific
spatial information
 sub-zones
channel
fishing pond
land
Compilation of the
“spatial units vs.
service” matrix”.
E.g. : Aquaculture 
Zone
Sub-zone
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Active
Inactive
Land
Aquaculture
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
qualitative scale from 1 to 3, where:
1 = null or low relevant capacity to supply the selected ecosystem service,
2 = medium relevant capacity,
3 = high relevant capacity.
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Methodology
1) ESS selection and definition of indicators
2) ESS mapping
a) Provisioning and cultural ESS
b) Erosion regulation
3) Zonal analysis
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Erosion regulation
Definition: capacity to mitigate sediment erosion (adapted from Kandziora et al.,
2013)
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Erosion regulation | Mechanisms
Mechanism
Detail
Indicator
Biostabilization
Increase of erosion threshold
Erosion threshold (critical bed
shear stress)
Reduction of wind driven
resuspension
Fetch break
Surfaces of water which are
located leeward from emerged
structures (with reference to Bora
and Scirocco winds)
Effect of bathymetry
Spatial distribution of depths at
which the modeled wind driven
bed shear stress is lower than 0.7
Pa
Different wind driven bed shear
stress as a function of depth
Depth classes with different
susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
Negative component
Susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
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τ0 = τ0[bare sediments]
* BI / 100
Bottom vegetation
Sediment particle size
• seagrasses
• macroalgae
• benthic diatoms
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Erosion regulation | Mechanisms
Mechanism
Detail
Indicator
Biostabilization
Increase of erosion threshold
Erosion threshold (critical bed
shear stress)
Reduction of wind driven
resuspension
Fetch break
Surfaces of water which are
located leeward from emerged
structures (with reference to Bora
and Scirocco winds)
Effect of bathymetry
Spatial distribution of depths at
which the modeled wind driven
bed shear stress is lower than 0.7
Pa
Different wind driven bed shear
stress as a function of depth
Depth classes with different
susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
Negative component
Susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
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®
Bora
Area leeward
respect to
Scirocco
Scirocco
Emerged
area
Area leeward
respect to
Bora
500 m buffer in SW and NW direction (leeward respect to Bora and Scirocco
wind respectively )
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Erosion regulation | Mechanisms
Mechanism
Detail
Indicator
Biostabilization
Increase of erosion threshold
Erosion threshold (critical bed
shear stress)
Reduction of wind driven
resuspension
Fetch break
Surfaces of water which are
located leeward from emerged
structures (with reference to Bora
and Scirocco winds)
Effect of bathymetry
Spatial distribution of depths at
which the modeled wind driven
bed shear stress is lower than 0.7
Pa
Different wind driven bed shear
stress as a function of depth
Depth classes with different
susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
Negative component
Susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
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(adapted from Fagherazzi et al, 2006)
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Erosion regulation | Mechanisms
Mechanism
Detail
Indicator
Biostabilization
Increase of erosion threshold
Erosion threshold (critical bed
shear stress)
Reduction of wind driven
resuspension
Fetch break
Surfaces of water which are
located leeward from emerged
structures (with reference to Bora
and Scirocco winds)
Effect of bathymetry
Spatial distribution of depths at
which the modeled wind driven
bed shear stress is lower than 0.7
Pa
Different wind driven bed shear
stress as a function of depth
Depth classes with different
susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
Negative component
Susceptibility to wind driven
erosion
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Methodology
1) ESS selection and definition of indicators
2) ESS mapping
a) Provisioning and cultural ESS
b) Erosion regulation
3) Zonal analysis
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Zonal analyses
WFD partitioning
(water bodies from
Autorità di bacino
dell’Adige et al., 2010)
Land zones
Zonal statistics for each service  pattern of overall service provision in the different zones
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4. Results and discussion
4.1. ESS maps: provisioning and cultural
services
Aquaculture
Layer
Sub-zone
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Active
Inactive
Land
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Aquaculture
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Crops
Layer
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marche
Channels
Fishing ponds
Land
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Sub-zone
Artificial surfaces
Non-irrigated arable land
Permanently irrigated land
Vineyards
Fruit trees and berry plantations
Other permanent cultures
Pastures
Spontaneous pastures
Complex cultivation patterns
Forest and seminatural areas
Crops
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
3
1
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Fish and seafood
“Clam”
Layer
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Land
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Sub-zone
GRAL concessions - highly exploited
GRAL concessions - poorly exploited
Areas of heavy illegal fishing
Areas of medium illegal fishing
Other
“Fish (artisanal)”
[Fish&Seafood]
Clam
3
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Layer
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Land
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Sub-zone
High fishing activities
Medium fishing activities
Other
[Fish&Seafood]
Fish (Artisanal)
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
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Wild food
“Birds”
Layer
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Land
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Sub-zone
Hunting blinds and immediate surroundings
Other
Hunting blinds and immediate surroundings
Other
Hunting farms
Hunting blinds and immediate surroundings
Other
Hunting blinds and immediate surroundings
Other
Hunting farms
Not hunting farms
Hunting farms
Not hunting farms
“Fish (recreational)”
[Wild Food]
Birds
2
1
2
1
3
2
1
2
1
3
1
3
1
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Layer
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Land
Sub-zone
Very close to inlets
Close to inlets
Far from inlets
Very close to inlets
Close to inlets
Far from inlets
Very close to inlets
Close to inlets
Far from inlets
[Wild Food] Fish
(Recreational)
3
2
1
3
2
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
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Recreation and tourism
“Tourism”
Layer
Sub-zone
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Land
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high n. attractions/km2
medium-low n.
attractions/km2
Other
“Recreational navigation”
[Recr.&Tour.]
Tourism
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
Layer
Subtidal flat
Intertidal mudflats
Salt marshes
Channels
Fishing ponds
Land
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Sub-zone
Surroundings of "Bacàn"
Other
"Bacàn"
Other
Connections marinas-Lido inlet
Connections marinas-other inlets
Other
[Recr.&Tour]
Recreational
navigation
3
1
3
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
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Knowledge systems
“Education”
“Tradition”
Layer
Subtidal flat
Sub-zone
Env. Education (Hi freq)
Env. Education (Med freq)
Other
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[Know.sys] Education
3
2
1
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Sub-zone
Voga alla veneta
Vela al terzo (High)
Vela al terzo (Med)
High fishing activities
Medium fishing activities
Other
Intertidal mudflats Other
Voga alla veneta
Vela al terzo (High)
Vela al terzo (Med)
Salt marshes
Other
Channels
Voga alla veneta
Vela al terzo (High)
Vela al terzo (Med)
Others
Fishing ponds
Active
Inactive
Land
Crops production in islands (see text)
Other
[Know.sys]
Tradition
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
3
3
2
1
2
1
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2
1
4.2. ESS maps: erosion regulation
Biostabilization
Reduction of winddriven resuspension
Susceptibility to
wind-driven erosion
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Erosion regulation potential
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Erosion regulation potential
“Sedimentation map”
Sarretta et al., 2010
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4.3. Zonal analysis and DPSIR cycle
DRIVERS
PRESSURES
STATE
IMPACT
Resources exploitation
Climate
(eg. wind)
+
Past human interventions
Impact I : ecosystem organization
1) Ichthyic resources (clam, fish,...)
2) Other resources (eg. avifauna)
Physical-chemical
status
Loads
- Water
(eutrophication)
1) Pollutants loads (point sources,
non-point sources, atmospheric
fallout)
- Sediments
Forces responsible of the
exchanges with the sea
Agriculture
4) Sediment load from the watershed
5) Sewage loads
Industrial
activities
Fishing and
aquaculture
Anthropization
and
sociopolitical
development
2) Lagoon/sea exchanges
-Water
- Sediments (net loss)
3) Wave motion
4) Sediment resuspension
Response
- Interventions for the safeguard of
Venice and the lagoon
Impact II: ecosystem service
supply
Status of the biotic
components
2) Aquaculture
Morphology
4) Wild food
- “birds”
- “fish
(recreational)”
- Bathymetry
(erosion of tidal flats,
siltation of channels)
- Erosion of salt
marshes’ margins
- Degradation of
urban and historical
areas
Modifications/uses of the lagoon
3) Fish and seafood
- “fish (artisanal)”
- “clam”
5) Crops
6) Recreation and tourism
-“tourism”
- “recreational
navigation”
7) Knowledge systems
-“education”
-“tradition”
1) Water traffic (commercial,
touristic, recreational, public
transport)
Tourism
2) Dredging of navigable channels
Trade
3) Land use changes
4) Morphological interventions for
the lagoon safeguard
- morphological
restoration
(protection,
restoration and
reconstruction of salt
marshes and intertidal
mudflats)
1) Erosion regulation
- plankton, benthos,
nekton, avifauna, …
Physical pressures
1) Relative sea level rise and
flooding
-Biodiversity
-Heterogeneity
- Exergy capture
- Entropy production
-Nutrient and matter cycling, …
 Service “potential”
2) Nutrient loads
3) Freshwater discharge
RESPONSE
- Construction of the
flood regulation gates
(Mose system)
- local defenses of
urban centers
- Laws and regulations for fishing,
hunting activities, water traffic
- Reduction of the loads of
nutrients and pollutants from the
watershed
- Enhancment of systems for
sewage treatment
- Maritime planning (trade,
cruises)
Hydrodynamic
regime
- Tidal currents,
residence time, …
Impact III: socio-economic
system (human well-being)
- Monitoring
-Economic: income,
employment, housing,
infrastructure, security
- Social : demography, health,
education, nutrition, leisure,
social relations.
5) Overcrowding of the historical
centre
6)Introduction of allochtonous spp
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D
D
P
S
Aquaculture
Hunting
Res.
exploitation
Good
D
P
S
Anthropization
Tourism
Agricolture
P
Overcrowding
Land use changes
n.a.
Agricolture
Anthropization
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Land use changes
Res. exploitation
S
n.a.
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D
P
S
Fishing (artisanal)
Agricoulture and climatic
forcings (catchment)
Res. Exploitation
Loads from rivers
Good
D
P
S
Fishing (clam)
Industrial activities
Anthropization
Res. Exploitation
Loads
Moderate (T.)
Good (V.d.B)
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D
P
S
Anthropization
Trade
Tourism
Loads
Water traffic
Wave motion
Bad (C.S., C.)
Good (L.)
D
D
Fishing
Trade
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Industrial activities
Anthropization
Trade
D Fishing P
Res. exploitation
Tourism
Wave motion
Anthropization
Sediment resusp.
Fishing
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P
P
S
Loads
Res. Exploitation
Water traffic
S
Moderate - Bad (M.)
Good
Res. exploitation
Loads
Wave motion
Sediment resusp.
S
Moderate
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Limitations and further perspectives
Limitations:
-High degree of aproximation of the qualitative maps
- Regulating services are not properly represented in the work
Future perspectives:
 Quantification of services, especially the regulating ones
 Deeper analyses of the interactions between the steps of the
DPSIR framework
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5. Conclusions
Conclusions
•
Preliminary assessment, first work observing the lagoon of Venice from the
ecosystem service perspective.
 mapping: easily understandable visualization of the ecosystem services provided
•
Erosion regulation potential shows the central role of the lagoon self-regulation
capacity for the preservation of its morphological heterogeneity
 however, pressurees are exceeding the regulation capacity in some areas
•
DPSIR framework integrated with the ecosystem service cascade:
 Characterization of the different areas of the lagoon from the humanenvironmental viewpoint
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References
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Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano, Provincia autonoma di Trento, Magistrato alle acque, ISPRA, Ufficio di Piano, 2010. Subunità
idrografica bacino scolante, laguna di Venezia e mare antistante - Piano di Gestione, Piano di Gestione dei bacini idrografici delle Alpi
Orientali, p. 439.
Burkhard, B., Petrosillo, I., Costanza, R., 2010. Ecosystem services - Bridging ecology, economy and social sciences. Ecological
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ecosystem services. Ecological Indicators 21, 1-6.
Fagherazzi, S., Carniello, L., D'Alpaos, L., Defina, A., 2006. Critical bifurcation of shallow microtidal landforms in tidal flats and salt
marshes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103, 8337-8341.
Kandziora, M., Burkhard, B., Müller, F., 2013. Interactions of ecosystem properties, ecosystem integrity and ecosystem service
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Müller, F., Burkhard, B., 2012. The indicator side of ecosystem services. Ecosystem Services 1, 26-30.
Potschin, M.B., Haines-Young, R.H., 2011. Ecosystem services: Exploring a geographical perspective. Progress in Physical Geography
35, 575-594.
Sarretta, A., Pillon , S., Molinaroli, E., Guerzoni, S., Fontolan, G., 2010. Sediment budget in the Lagoon of Venice, Italy. Continental
Shelf Research 30(8), 934-949.
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Any question or comment?
07/04/2014
Thank you!
Silvia Rova
Grazie!
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