Seagrass ecosystem interactions with social and economic systems

gaps and key research questions which could be addressed in a continuation of this work. The work is split into three objectives. In objective one we use the DPSWR framework to define and identify key interactions between seagrass ecosystems and socioeconomic systems and consider where these interactions are relevant to policy making and decisions. For the purposes of this scoping report we identify the main pathways of loss and degradation for seagrasses in the UK from drivers, through pressures to state change. We identify the types of state change resulting from these pressures. By identifying the ecosystem services provided by seagrasses (Objective 2) and the factors regulating ecosystem function and hence the provision of these services we will be able to identify the implications of different pressures for human welfare, and examine whether standard monitoring techniques and information bases allow managers to account for these interactions. Finally, in objective 3 we explore how current institutional frameworks and policy are linked to the delivery of a range of ecosystem services by seagrass ecosystems using Rapid Policy Network Mapping (RPNM).