Wouldn it be better to do separate ecosystem assessments to meet the specific information needs of each international or national institution?
For certain issues, this may be the case. But for the basic information on status, trends, values, scenarios, and response options related to the core “uses” of biodiversity (the goods and services provided by ecosystems) and the status of the biodiversity underlying those goods and services, the exact same information will be needed by a number of institutions including CBD, CCD, and Ramsar. The purpose of the MA is to provide that core ecosystem-related information (and build capacity of countries and regions to undertake similar assessments and act on their findings). The individual institutions may then undertake other assessment activities to meet specific needs extending beyond this core assessment.
