The questions and tasks within the research and implementation project AgoraNatura are addressed within 6 subprojects:
- Analysis of demand
- Analysis of supply
- Institutional analysis of the implementation
- Transdisciplinary project development
- Market implementation and promotion
- Monitoring of project implementation
Subproject 1 – Analysis of demand
(Leading institution: ZALF)
Subproject 1 analyses the demand for an online-marketplace. The focus lies on the willingness of private actors to financially support the provision of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In this context, it is necessary to investigate the current demand for ecosystem services and biodiversity and whether an internet-based marketplace is the adequate instrument to satisfy this demand. Furthermore, there is a need to identify the preferences of demanders regarding an online-marketplace and specific ecosystem services as well as to better understand the motivations behind their payments. Based on the assumption that the demand of private actors to pay for nature conservation has to be stimulated, the question is whether the ecosystem services concept can help doing so. The research questions are investigated separately for different stakeholders: Work package 1 (WP1) analyses the demand from businesses and work package 2 (WP2) analyses the demand from private individ-uals. After the launch of the online-marketplace, the actual behaviour of demanders will be analysed in a separate work package. Results include: studies on the demand from companies and private individuals for biodiversity and ecosystem services and corresponding target groups analyses; guidelines for the development of projects from the perspective of demanders; and after the launch of the online-marketplace the description and evaluation of the actual demand.
Subproject 2 – Analysis of supply
(Leading institution: University Greifswald)
The supply side is investigated in the second subproject with a particular focus on identifying and developing suitable projects for the online-marketplace. In work package 1 (WP1) an overview is compiled how comparable online-markets deal with biodiversity and ecosystem services. The investigation and evaluation of methods and indicators, which are suitable to quantify biodiversity and ecosystem services, are done in work package 2 (WP2). WP3 synthesizes the results from the analysis of demand and supply in the subprojects 1 and 2 and investigates their compatibility. Finally, work package (WP4) analyses which project developers participate and what kind of projects they offer through the online-marketplace. Results include: a catalogue and evaluation of existing indicators and methods of quantification of biodiversity and ecosystem services; an overview of commodification options from the perspective of project providers; and after the launch of the online-marketplace the description and evaluation of the project providers’ real market behaviour.
Subproject 3 – Institutional analysis of the implementation
(Leading institution: ZALF)
The third subproject will analyse crucial institutional aspects of internet-based investments in biodiversity and ecosystem services to ensure a targeted, efficient and practicable design, implementation and adaptation of the marketplace. Work package 1 (WP1) investigates the proprietary requirements that are needed to provide biodiversity and ecosystem services. The second work package looks into the operationalization of trading public environmental goods. In work package 3 (WP3) we research about the transaction costs that occur for the development of certified projects for an online-marketplace: which transaction costs arise; which possibilities exist to reduce these costs; can they get institutionalized; and which effects do these costs have on the planned marketplace? Furthermore, the development of a long-term organizational concept for the online-marketplace is the core aspect in work package 4 (WP4). Results include: a catalogue of property rights regimes; a study on commodification options; a checklist to design contracts; an overall, long-term management concept for the online-marketplace.
Subproject 4 – Transdisciplinary project development
(Leading institution: ZALF)
Subproject 4 develops certifiable projects for biodiversity and ecosystem services that can be offered through the online-marketplace. The development of pilot projects for the launch of the online-marketplace is the goal of work package 1 (WP1), which is done in cooperation with landcare associations. At the same time, work package 2 (WP2) generates further project ideas in participation with actors for example from civil services, foundations, nature conservation organisations, or churches. Starting in the third year of the project phase, work package 3 (WP3) involves interested land owners and land users in the development of demand-oriented project offers, based on results of subproject 1. This transdisciplinary process is examined in order to identify effective ways that help project providers during their project development process. The aim is to enable project providers to create and launch demand-based certified projects for the online-marketplace on their own. Results include: pilot projects for the launch of the online-marketplace; a catalogue of nationwide ideas for certified conservation projects; a description and an evaluation of commodification options from the perspective of project providers; demand-based project offers as well as guidelines to enable independent development of demand-based projects for the online-marketplace.
Subproject 5 – Market implementation and promotion
(Leading institution: DUH)
Subproject 5 focuses on the practical implementation of the research results from the previous subprojects. Key aspects are the development, implementation and long-term establishment of the online-marketplace. Work package 1 (WP1) works out the implementation concept in regards to content, structure and graphical design as well as marketing and communication strategies. The second work package (WP2) deals with the programming and the launch of the online-marketplace, followed by the subsequent administration of the financial transaction processes between providers and investors as well as online editing of the website contents. Marketing and public relations are the focus of work package 3 (WP3), whereas work package 4 (WP4) works on the further development to make the online-marketplace an independent instrument for biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation. Results include: a marketing and communication concept; an implementation concept; the launch of the online-marketplace; a working paper on long-term financing strategies and approaches for the online-marketplace.
Subproject 6 – Monitoring of project implementation
(Leading institution: ZALF)
The task of subproject 6 is to support the implementation of financed projects, to monitor their effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as to identify potential problems or obstacles. Work package 1 (WP1) develops the methodological basis and instruments for a scientifically sound implementation and monitoring of projects that quantify the effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. By means of these instruments, work package 2 (WP2) collects and analyses data about all processes regarding the implemented conservation projects. This data is then provided to the other subprojects. The development of a long-term support and monitoring concept for the online-marketplace is the focus of the third work package (WP3). Results include: an evaluation schedule; questionnaires, documentation and monitoring sheets; a data evaluation concept; and a long-term monitoring concept.