Assessing the ecological services of aquatic environnments : scientific, political and operationnal issues

In a context of climate change and biodiversity loss, the notion of ecological services has rapidly gained ground in political debates. The goal of good ecological status, set by the European water framework directive in 2000, has led to major efforts to preserve and restore aquatic environments. The ecological services provided by aquatic environments are now a topic of growing interest to water managers and, more generally, to all stakeholders in society interested in the quality and sustainable management of aquatic environments.