ESME (Ecosystem Services Map Explorer)
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Tool Description
The Ecosystem Service Map Explorer (ESME) is a web-based natural capital and ecosystem service mapping tool designed to assess the condition of freshwater river environments and their capacity to provide ecosystem services across England. The tool was developed through the Riverine Natural Capital Condition and Ecosystem Service Mapping project as part of Defra’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme.
ESME combines environmental condition indicators, riverine natural capital evidence, and ecosystem service modelling to generate maps and metrics showing the relative capacity of rivers and surrounding catchments to provide ecosystem services. The tool currently covers natural and modified freshwater rivers across England.
Running the Tool
Tool Inputs
Pre-loaded national environmental datasets; user-selected geographic areas and ecosystem service layers
Resource Requirements
Access to web browser and internet connection; GIS software
time Requirements
>1 hour – days | Time requirements vary widely depending on analysis complexity and scale
Skill requirements
Knowledge of GIS and spatial tools
Key data sources:
- River condition indicators
Water Framework Directive datasets
Hydrological datasets
Habitat and land cover information
Environmental monitoring data
River network datasets integrated through Defra and Environment Agency evidence platforms
How does it work?
ESME uses evidence on the condition of the water environment to model and map ecosystem service capacity. The methodology combines river condition indicators, environmental spatial datasets, and ecosystem service conceptual models to do so.
Using Tool Outputs
Tool Outputs
Ecosystem service capacity maps, river condition indicator maps, catchment and river reach analyses, downloadable spatial datasets, and charts and comparative visualisations
How can the tool be used to inform decisions?
The tool can support river restoration planning, catchment management, and natural flood management as outputs identify areas where river condition improvements may increase ecosystem service delivery and environmental benefits for communities and ecosystems.
Limitations of Use
ESME is currently released as a beta tool and should be considered a starting point for ecosystem service assessment rather than a definitive local-scale analysis. The tool requires interpretation alongside local evidence.
Validation
The methodology was informed by stakeholder engagement, user needs assessments, and expert review processes.
Developer Organisations
ESME was developed by the Environment Agency Natural Capital Team through the Riverine Natural Capital Condition and Ecosystem Service Mapping project.
