Lake ecosystem services of Lithuania: a methodological approach for mapping and assessing changes on a multitemporal perspective

Abstract

Lake ecosystems contribute importantly to human wellbeing through the supply of ecosystem services (ES). Despite its importance, these are some of the most degraded ecosystems on Earth. Land-use change and the effects of climate change emerge as the main drivers of this change. In Europe, it decreased many lakes’ ecological status, and consequently, its ability to provide ES has decreased. Previous environmental policies failed to restore the ecological status of lakes and their ES. Ensure the provision of lake ES is vital for human wellbeing. Therefore, assessing and mapping lake ES is essential to achieve this. Moreover, with the effects of climate change expected to continue in the future and land-use changes, it is essential to understand its impacts on the ES supply. This work proposes a methodological approach to assess and map lake ES for past, present, and future environmental and socio-economic settings. The results can support spatial planning and decision-making by increasing the knowledge on lake ES and anticipating the effect of future land use and climate changes.