Frame

This step identifies potential environmental, social, and economic risks and opportunities that could arise from ecosystem changes and service dynamics ("What are the big risks and opportunities the assessment needs to be aware of and respond to?"). It connects the ecosystem assessment to real-world consequences by highlighting where environmental degradation could lead to costs (e.g. flooding, resource scarcity) or where ecosystem restoration or protection could yield benefits (e.g. improved air quality, enhanced recreation, economic value). By highlighting key areas of concern or opportunity early in the process, this step supports a more focused, relevant, and action-oriented ecosystem assessment. It connects the assessment to real-world consequences and helps ensure it responds to the most critical issues. Concretely, it will be used to shape the scope and the assessment objectives (cf. "Identify question/ theme/ objective") in the next phase.