How assessing uncertainties can improve uptake of ecosystem services assessments in decision making.

Ecosystem services assessments aim to inform decision-making, yet their integration remains low. Inherent uncertainties linked to scenario development, modelling, and transferring results to decision-makers are often seen as barriers. However, a review of 904 studies revealed that assessing uncertainties leads to a higher uptake of ecosystem services assessment results in decision-making.

Regression analyses show that uptake improves when ecosystem services assessments:

• Explicitly address the policy context to produce more salient and timely findings.
• Use suitable models that integrate uncertainty, enhancing credibility while keeping information costs low.
• Engage stakeholders throughout the research process to strengthen legitimacy.

By assessing uncertainties and involving stakeholders, ecosystem services assessments can better support informed decision-making about ecosystems and their services. These findings highlight the need for more transparent, adaptable, and participatory assessment approaches to ensure their practical application in policy and planning.

This research, published in Ecosystem Services, contributes to SELINA’s mission of improving ecosystem services knowledge and its usability for decision-makers. It underscores the importance of bridging the gap between scientific assessments and real-world policy implementation.

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F. Walther, D. N. Barton, J. Schwaab, J. Kato-Huerta, B. Immerzeel, M. Adamescu, E. Andersen, M. V. Arámbula Coyote, I. Arany, M. Balzan, A. Bruggeman, C. Carvalho-Santos, C. Cazacu, D. Geneletti, R. Giuca, M. Inácio, E. Lagabrielle, S. Lange, S. Le Clec’h, Z. Y. V. Lim, U. Mörtberg, S. Nedkov, A. P. Portela, A. Porucznik, T. Racoviceanu, P. Rendón, D. Ribeiro, J. Seguin, M. Šmid Hribar, V. Stoycheva, H. Vejre, C. Zoumides and A. Grêt-Regamey, 2025. Uncertainties in ecosystem services assessments and their implications for decision support – A semi-systematic literature review. Ecosystem Services. 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2025.101714.