Indicators of Biodiversity, The Case of the Port of Gothenburg

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find suitable indicators for biodiversity that can be used at the municipality owned company the Port of Gothenburg and to try a methodology for scientifically based indicator selection. The used methodology is a so called eDPSIR network, which both enables assessment of indicators for factors influencing biodiversity and indicators for assessment of biodiversity in itself. Since the Port of Gothenburg have many different stakeholders, and to ensure the function and usefulness of the indicators, the project included several stakeholder interactions. The recommendation drawn from the study is for the Port of Gothenburg to implement a naturalness based Natural Capital Index for assessment of biodiversity, and also to start measuring noise in green areas, light pollution and emissions of untreated ballast water. Furthermore the Port is recommended to collaborate with its owner, the municipality of Gothenburg, regarding data collection for the Natural Capital Index. If this is made as a citizen science project the indicator can fulfill several purposes, such as education and raising awareness, and can thereby achieve a high cost efficiency.