Monetization approaches for ecosystem services on federal waterways and integration options in benefit-cost analyses

In contrast to other modes of transport such as roads or railways, federal waterways and their catchment areas are not only transport routes, but also ecosystems. They make a valuable contribution to biodiversity, the water balance and also to tourism and recreation. Recording and evaluating ecosystem services is therefore of great importance in the management of federal waterways.

The AMBERS project of the Federal Institute of Hydrology is developing methods and indicators for recording and classifying ecosystem services in operational practice. In this context, the IÖW is working with the project partners to develop monetization approaches for around 15 ecosystem services.

In addition to rivers such as the Rhine, Weser and Elbe, the more than 60 federal waterways in Germany also include several artificial waterways such as the Mittelland Canal and the North Sea-Baltic Canal (Kiel Canal). The management of these rivers and canals in the interests of shipping has an impact on the provision of ecosystem services. Based on the current state of scientific knowledge, the project develops and evaluates methods for mapping this in monetary terms and tests the methods using a case study. 

The project aims to make the methods usable for operational management and is developing a manual for the assessment of ecosystem services to do so. Moreover, methods for planning processes are generated, in which the assessment methods are also implemented in GIS routines or scripts for simplified application. This is intended to support planners and the Federal Institute of Hydrology in integrating the value of ecosystem services into their work. 

The researchers are also investigating how the results can be integrated into benefit-cost analyses that can be used in the planning of measures and in strategic decisions in the management of federal waterways.