Ecosystem Service Assessments within the EU Water Framework Directive: Marine Mussel Cultivation as a Controversial Measure

To combat the persistent eutrophication in coastal waters, sustainable sea-based measures are recommended. Yet, they subject of controversial stakeholder discussion, which hampers implementation and planning process. The aim this study is to evaluate if a participatory mapping (PM) approach ecosystem service assessments (ESA) can be suitable tools within Water Framework Directive (WFD) support communication with different target groups improve accelerate realization new mitigation measures. We conducted three stakeholder-based PMs visualize perception waters seven ESAs investigate perceptions mussel cultivation scenarios as showed that ecological were preferred. ESA that, while experts rated positively overall, non-expert stakeholders still seemed skeptical preferred alternative like floating wetlands. methodological results indicate PM cost-effective tool stakeholders’ perceptions, but it needs applied an beneficial for WFD A web-based improves discussion reveal potential misperceptions concerns faster lead more focused discussion.