title: The science-policy interface: the role of scientific assessments-UK National Ecosystem Assessment.
abstract: This paper discusses the science-policy interface, emphasizing the role of evidence and scientific assessments. It then presents the key findings from the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA), which provided much of the evidence for the Natural Environment White Paper for England as a case study. It also influenced the development of the biodiversity strategy for England. The NEA demonstrates the importance of a multi-disciplinary team of experts to prepare and peer review assessments and the importance of input from funding agencies and relevant stakeholder groups in co-designing and reviewing. Much of the text and all of the figures in the NEA section are taken from the Synthesis Report of the NEA, which I drafted as co-chair of the NEA.().
authors.affiliation: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Area 1a, Nobel House 17, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, UK ; Tyndall Centre, Environment Department, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, Norfolk.
authors.forename: Robert Tony
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Watson