Earth observation roadmap for ecosystem services accounting in the EU

This report assesses the use of Earth Observation (EO) products in the modelling of ecosystem services, a crucial component of the Integrated Natural Capital Accounting (INCA) project of the European Commission. The project operationalizes the System of Environmental Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) and supports the Regulation 02024/3024 amending Regulation 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts. The report evaluates the EO data used in nine ecosystem services, including the 7 mandatory services - according to Annex IX of the Regulation - such as crop provision, wood provision, and global climate regulation, as well as voluntary services like flood control and soil Retention. It identifies data gaps and challenges associated with ensuring seamless reporting across accounting years, and proposes alternative EO inputs to address these gaps. By providing an in-depth examination of EO products used in each ecosystem service model, the report aims to enhance the robustness and comparability of ecosystem accounts, ultimately supporting evidence-based decision-making and the effective management of natural capital within the EU.