Members of the Pandoteira project team, from the Open University of Cyprus (OUC), participated in a meeting organized within the framework of the COST SMILES (CA21158) action. The meeting, which took place on March 18 – 20, 2026, brought together a diverse group of internationally recognized specialists in ecosystem services.
The OUC team had the opportunity to present both the methodological framework and the current progress of its work on mapping ecosystem services in Natura 2000 areas in Cyprus. This presentation served as a platform for constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange, allowing the team to benchmark its approach against other European initiatives.
A key benefit of participation was the direct feedback received from leading experts in ecosystem services. The discussion was particularly valuable in refining the methodological approach, especially regarding the integration of monetary valuation of ecosystem services. The insights and recommendations provided are expected to enhance the robustness, policy relevance, and scientific credibility of the ongoing work.
Overall, participation in the meeting strengthened collaboration opportunities, improved methodological approaches through expert input, and increased the visibility of OUC’s work within the COST SMILES network. It also reinforced the strategic importance of aligning local research efforts with broader European frameworks on ecosystem services assessment and natural capital accounting.
An additional important outcome of participation in this meeting was the opportunity to strengthen networking and foster potential future collaborations in the field of island ecosystem services. The interaction with experts from different countries and disciplines created a solid foundation for building synergies around shared research interests, particularly in the context of small- and medium-sized island ecosystems, which face common environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Find out more about the Pandoteira project here.
