Wed 14th May 2025 in News

Joint DSS4ES WG Meeting with Stakeholders

The University of Aveiro (UA), through the Department of Environment and Planning (DAO) and the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), hosted a working meeting and a stakeholder workshop on April 28 and 29, as part of the COST Action “DSS4ES – Decision Support Systems for Environmental Services.

This COST Action, which aims to promote the development of decision support systems for environmental services, is coordinated by CESAM, with researcher Sofia Corticeiro (CESAM/DAO) serving as the institutional representative at UA and coordinator of the “Governance (Implementation and Monitoring)” working group.

Over the course of the two-day meeting, 21 members of the COST network from various European countries took part. The stakeholder workshop on April 29 brought together 14 international stakeholders from sectors such as forestry, environmental management, public administration, and governance, enabling a rich exchange of experiences and perspectives on the needs and challenges of using decision support systems on the sustainable management of ecosystem services.

The workshop provided a rich platform for reflection and exchange, helping us to better understand both the needs and challenges involved in the development and application of Decision Support Systems. Participants emphasized the importance of delivering simplified, practical outputs that can be readily integrated into existing workflows and decision-making processes. There was a clear call for tools that are adaptable, aligned with legal frameworks, and capable of supporting well-defined objectives, such as climate targets or resource management. The discussion also highlighted the importance of showcasing real-world examples, addressing economic considerations, and investing in training and capacity-building.

At the same time, key challenges were identified, including limited awareness of available tools, difficulties in accessing or harmonizing relevant data, and resistance to training, especially within resource-constrained institutions. Building trust in DSS tools remains a critical issue, particularly when decisions are made under pressure or uncertainty.

 These insights will be essential as we refine our approach within the DSS4ES COST Action. More information can be found here: University of Aveiro hosted meeting and workshop of the COST Action “DSS4ES” – Cesam

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