1. We see very good opportunities to use synergy effects between our work in large European networks and research projects such as “landscape tomorrow” and “Sensor” and our contribution in the MIMES project.  Compared with many other models and tools the great challenge and achievement of the MIMES approach is to join economic and social valuation together with physical ecosystem models.

From: Dr. Klaus Müller, Head of the Institute of Socio-Economics, Leibniz-Centre for Landscape Research (ZALF), Germany

2. The quantitative outputs of MIMES will provide politicians and decision makers with relevant science as the basis for their decisions.  MIMES other possible benefits to our work include: extending field of knowledge; increasing public understanding; evaluating resource management practices; substantiating markets for payment of ecosystem services; stimulating systems thinking; and advancing transdisciplinary education.

From: Dr. Teresita L. Salva, President of Palawan State University, Republic of the Philippines

 3. We have found the outputs of MIMES events quite useful, both in the development of pathbreaking modeling tools, and in creating networks between northern and southern specialists in ecosystem services.  We have forged important partnerships that we expect will contribute to increased knowledge and stewardship of conservation initiatives.

From: Dr. Keith Alger, Vice President, Human Dimensions Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International

4. We plan to publish all the results of MIMES participants in the Encyclopedia of Earth, creating a stand-alone Collection on Ecosystem Valuation that will form the world most authoritative educational resource on the topic.

From: Dr. Culter J. Cleveland, Editor, Encyclopedia of Earth, Professor of Geography and Environment, Boston University

5. The MIMES Project has made valuable contributions to the Pacific Northwest Research Station innovation in research, development and management application on ecosystem services.  The MIMES project provides technical assistance and tools that advance knowledge and understanding of integrated social-ecological systems of the Tongass.  No other ecosystem service project in the world, to my awareness, has provided support on the ‘full-suite’ of ecosystem services (as opposed to choosing a few popular ecosystem services), in a way which also allows for accounting for time dynamics.

From: Dr. Trista Patterson, Human and Natural Resources Interactions, United States Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

6. MIMES stakes out a space for creation of more sophisticated models of ecosystem contributions to human well-being.  In an ambitious project like MIMES, simulation supports the challenging process of integration.  

From: Dr. Ralp Seppelt, Head of Department of Computation Landscape Ecology, Unveristy of Halle Wittenberg, Germany

7. We believe MIMES could be a focal point for collecting and analyzing EPA’s ecosystem service data and scenarios.  We have even had discussions about potential long-term housing of MIMES platform in EPA’s Office of Environmental Information.  EPA’s Ecological Research Program has already benefited from the cutting edge, trans-disciplinary research on ecosystem services underway at the Gund Institute. 

From: Dr. Rick A. Linthurst, National Program Director for Ecology, Environmental Protection Agency

8. Our work on the MIMES model has been a convening point for critical agencies, government decision makers, and NGOs in the Puget Sound region. The dynamic systems model we are developing with the Gund Institute will be an effective and cutting edge tool that advances key stakeholders’ understanding of the influence of land use change, deliberate restoration activities, and climate change on delivery of ecosystem services, and thus, the well-being of Puget Sound’s residents.

From: David Batker, Executive Director, Earth Economics

9. Robust development of MIMES will value-add and integrate GIEE deliverable streams and lay a foundation for expansion of marine deliverables in 2008-09.  Our work will focus on enhancing MIMES deliverables by measurably building the marine conceptual framework and nested subcomponents, and subsequently applying to ES valuation and decision-making in marketable coastal pilot sites in Brazil, Costa Rica and East Florida.

From: Dr. Ken Lindeman, Florida Institute of Technology