Research consultancy services

Tender description

To devise a methodology for identifying, assessing and quantifying the economic and social benefits that can be derived from adaptive management of estuarine sites. To devise a methodology for identifying, assessing and quantifying the economic and social benefits that can be derived from adaptive management of estuarine sites. The methodology will be developed and integrated into the PACCo model and must be relevant and deliverable across a broad range of sites, using the two project sites as reference real life examples. The methodology will provide the basis for comparable socio-economic valuations across a range of estuarine sites including the Lower otter and Saâne valleys. Assessments will be done now and up to ten years after the PACCo project has been completed. It will include qualitative and quantitative valuations. The methodology will require identifying categories of key end users and stakeholders and must be relevant to and reflect the socio-economic paradigms of France and England. Outputs will include: — a report to justify the methodological choices for the socio-economic benefits valuation of the managed realignment of the two sites. The socio-economic benefits may need to be evaluated differently, according to local differences. This report, to be delivered prior to the protocol, will also include the scope of the study, a list of stakeholders, potential benefits, and how risks and benefits will be evaluated. — a standardised protocol for providing socio-economic baselines and qualitative and quantitative valuations. This will highlight the impact of modifications and the value of nature-based adaptation solutions to climate change in estuarine areas across Transitional Coastal Waters (TCWs) on both sides of the Channel. These are to be developed with reference to the real-life examples of the project’s two target sites but designed to be relevant across a broader range of sites. This protocol should include identifying the range of risks and benefits for the two sites and describe the ecosystem services concerned. The methodology will include quantitative and qualitative approaches. Protocol to be delivered by March 2021. The protocol must be produced in English and French. — in the UK only, upon completion of the protocol to the satisfaction of project partners and the funding body, the protocol will be followed to establish: 1) Quantitative and qualitative socio-economic baseline in the Otter Valley (spring/summer 2021); and 2) Subsequent short-term changes resulting from project delivery (autumn 2022). It is anticipated that further surveys following the same protocols (which would include possible new stakeholders and uses) will be undertaken after 5 years (2026) and ten years (2031), although their execution will be outside of the current project scope. Baseline report to be delivered by September 2021. The second survey to be delivered by December 2022. A separate contractor will be undertaking the surveys in the Saâne valley following the same protocol with this contract led by French partners. Regular exchanges between the two contractors are strongly encouraged. — a Final report compiling baseline (2021), subsequent (2022) survey data and analysis from both the Otter and Saâne Valleys. Data from the Saâne Valley will be supplied by another contractor. The report will include recommendations for further surveys (due to the time needed for the habitats to reach the balance and climate change adaptation issues). To be delivered by March 2023. The final report must be produced in English and French.