Modeling land use impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services in LCA

WITTSTOCK, B.; KOELLNER, T; MULLER-WENK, R.; BRANDAO, M; MARGNI, M; CIVIT, B; CANALS, L.M.I

Tokyo, Japón

Conferencia; Ecobalance Conference 2008; 2008

EcoBalance

Within the context of the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative’s Phase 2, a project to retrieve operational characterisation factors for adressing land use effects in Life Cycle Impact Assessment was initiated. Based on the findings of the LC Initiative’s Phase 1 working group on land use, this project aims at providing the next step towards broad application of a land use assessment framework. As key elements for assessing impacts of land use within the framework of LCA, the following elements are proposed: (a.) damages on biodiversity and on ecosystem services have to be considered; and (b.) bio-geographical differentiation is required, due to the different sensitivity and inherent ecosystem quality of the environment where the intervention occurs. The Ecosystem Services Damage Potential (ESDP) is structured according to the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment into services provided by ecosystems. The project initially focuses on the development of generic characterization factors for the impact on the potential of the ecosystem to produce biomass (biotic production potential) and the climate impact by influencing the carbon sequestration in the top soil and land cover (carbon sequestration potential). Additionally, we propose further developing methods linking other so called midpoint indicators to ESDP, i.e. impacts on water quantity and quality (Fresh Water Regulation Potential, and Water Purification Potential) and soil quantity and quality (Erosion Regulation Potential)