NEW: Ecosystem Service Map Explorer
- Learn to use ESME across its three mapping scales
- Learn how to interpret ecosystem service indicators, condition data and decision trees
- Learn how to use ESME's tools to recreate maps, export data, analyse opportunities and support communication with partners and stakeholders.
What is ESME?
The Ecosystem Service Map Explorer is a first-of-its-kind, open, and transparent online tool.
It provides a powerful way to visualise whether rivers across England are ready to continue providing the services we need.
Developed by the Environment Agency's Natural Capital team, ESME uses the latest evidence on condition of the water environment to model and map ecosystem service capacity – that is, the potential to provide key ecosystem services.
ESME is a beta, innovation product and should be used as a starting point, alongside local data, knowledge and professional judgement.
ESME will advance the environmental sector’s ability to map and understand natural capital. People can use ESME to inform ecosystem service assessments, evidence-based environmental planning, and investment decisions in river systems. Find out more below.
Where can you access ESME?
How do I use ESME?
Guide to using ESME
ESME has the potential to be used in many different applications across the Environment Agency and wider, including as part of an environmental evidence base, helping prioritise locations for intervention and supporting policy development, project development and business cases.
The training video will also help you understand how to use ESME for strategic planning, evidence gathering and project planning for river restoration and natural capital work. You will:
Feedback
We welcome your feedback and questions about ESME, as well as any applications you have in mind. Contact the team (NaturalCapital@environment-agency.gov.uk) to learn more.