The project will complement the recently started FP7-project FunDivEurope (Functional significance of forest biodiversity in Europe) and will build on a unique field experiment covering -650 forest patches in 16 5 km x 5 km landscape sampling windows in southern France, northern France.

Belgium. northwestern Germany, northeastern Germany, southern Sweden, central Sweden and Estonia (2 windows per region). This sample design covers the entire European temperate forest biome through a SW-NE transect. The

studied patches are mostly deciduous forest stands and for each patch standardized data are available in an already operational database on the occurring vascular plant species, on its history, the surrounding land cover, and its

spatial characteristics. During the project, additional data will be collected to quantify the structural, functional and taxonomic biodiversity and to determine' a well-chosen set of ES (including provisioning, regulating and cultural

services such as e.g. stem'M)od production, above- and below- ground carbon sequestration, tick abundance and their role of disease vector, plant-pest-beneficial insect interactions) delivered by the patches_ In doing so, we use a

series of proxy-measurements that allow covering all the - 650 patches. The valuation of the ES considered will be

performed through a combination of local data collection and benefit transfer approaches, using highly innovative tools such as cognitive mapping. Finally, we envisage two levels of stakeholder involvement: (1) regional stakeholder

boards will be involved from the beginning to guide the final ES selection, to reflect on the valuation of the ES and to guarantee the translation of the resu Its to end users such as forest owners, forest managers and regional policy makers;(2) a supranational stakeholder board will be involved to assure bidirectional feedback with European policy and international conventions related to biodiversity and sustainable forest management.