Water values: Participatory water ecosystem services assessment in the Arno River basin

The objectives of the study are (1) to realize an assessment of the ecosystem services provided by water and land use setting in the territory of Figline-Incisa Municipality, within the Arno River basin in central Italy; (2) to carry out an analysis of the society perception regarding the value of water resources in the territory by utilizing a WES framework; (3) to develop a framework for the valuation of WES, by integrating the results of objectives (1) and (2). The approach provides a sound basis to facilitate a shared watershed planning process within the WFD where the instances of population are combined with the experts’ analysis. The conceptualization of the link between humans and environment can support the WFD in promoting wider policy objective of sustainability, moving from the achievement of a good ecological status as a target itself to the recognition of the fundamental role of the ecosystem in supporting societal goals.