Operationalizing the concept of BKN for the municipality of Amsterdam with the use of Urban Regulating Ecosystem Services

Abstract

The Dutch organization “De Vogelbescherming” has introduced a new concept called “Basiskwaliteit Natuur”, which aims to enhance the quality of nature and thereby the protection of common species. The municipality of Amsterdam has taken an interest in this concept and plans to use it in its city planning but with a broader perspective. Thereby, not only focusing on the protection of common species but also considering other aspects that are related to the quality of nature, like ecosystem services. To achieve this, more information is needed about the quality of nature in cities like Amsterdam. Therefore, this literature review analyzes what soil and water quality is needed for a healthy Amsterdam and what Urban Regulating Ecosystem Services can contribute to this quality. This review shows that the current focus in studying the quality of nature is on the presence or absence of nutrients and toxins in urban soil and water. Nevertheless, the focus should also be on the physiological and biological quality of these abiotic components of the ecosystem. Monitoring different indicator species, like earthworms and dragonflies, can be a good practice to study the BKN. Furthermore, to improve the BKN, more focus should be on the enhancement of urban regulating ecosystem services, like water purification, pest control, and pollination. The use of these URES as indicators of ecosystem health particularly of soil and water bodies, provides a practical framework for the operationalizing of the BKN in urban planning in the city of Amsterdam.