Implementation of Ecosystem Accounting in Slovakia – Ecosystem Condition

forthcoming

Implementation of ecosystem accounting in Slovakia This project aims to develop Slovakia’s first comprehensive dataset for national ecosystem condition accounts, aligned with the UN-adopted System of Environmental-Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) and the EU legal module on ecosystem accounting. It addresses the current lack of a harmonized, cross-sectoral framework for assessing ecosystem condition across all ecosystem types and regions in Slovakia. By implementing Step 1 of the SEEA EA condition accounting framework, the project will identify and compile key ecosystem condition variables—abiotic, biotic, and landscape-level—using national vector and raster datasets, complemented by EU-level data where appropriate. The project will prioritize mandatory indicators such as soil organic carbon, deadwood volume, PM2.5 concentration, and the farmland bird index, while exploring voluntary indicators based on data availability. It will produce spatially disaggregated, SEEA EA-compliant data layers for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, supporting Slovakia’s obligations under the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the Green Deal, and SDG reporting. The methodology follows international standards and Eurostat guidance, ensuring scientific credibility and policy relevance. Key objectives include harmonizing data across sectors, building national capacity for SEEA EA implementation, and establishing robust indicators for long-term monitoring. The project will deliver a foundational dataset for ecosystem condition accounts, enabling improved environmental governance, spatial planning, and biodiversity conservation. It directly supports the call’s goals by piloting new methodologies and producing high-quality environmental statistics for sustainability policies.