BIOVAL-V: The cost of biodiversity loss
When nature is destroyed illegally, restoration is the first port of call. But what if an old wooded edge, a species-rich grassland or a valuable forest can no longer be fully restored? INBO is therefore investigating how illegal, irreparable damage to vegetation can be translated into indicative financial compensation in a transparent and well-founded manner.
Through BIOVAL-V(egetation), INBO is bringing together experts from various disciplines to develop a practical calculation framework that can support enforcement officers, policymakers and magistrates. The research is being carried out in collaboration with the Agency for Nature and Forests, with support from the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment. It builds on the earlier BIOVAL framework for vertebrates.
BIOVAL-V takes into account various aspects of nature value: not only the ecological significance of forests, grasslands and small landscape elements, but also their role in the landscape and society. The aim is to enable a consistent approach when public nature value has been lost.
The report explores the building blocks for such a system and forms the basis for further development and testing in practice.
Image above: Lars Soerink (Vildaphoto)