Valuing ecological systems and services

Robert Costanza, Ida Kubiszewski, David Ervin, Randy Bluffstone, James W. Boyd, Darrell Brown, Heejun Chang, Veronica Dujon, Elise Granek, Stephen Polasky, Vivek Shandas, Alan Yeakley

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Making trade-offs between ecological services and other contributors to human well-being is a difficult but critical process that requires valuation. This allows both better recognition of the ecological, social, and economic trade-offs and also allows us to bill those who use up or destroy ecological services and reward those that produce or enhance them. It also aids improved ecosystems policy. In this paper we clarify some of the controversies in defining the contributions to human well-being from functioning ecosystems, many of which people are not even aware of.We go on to describe the applicability of the various valuation methods that can be used in estimating the benefits of ecosystem services. Finally, we describe some recent case studies and lay out the research agenda for ecosystem services analysis, modeling, and valuation going forward.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)14-14
    JournalF1000 Prime Reports
    Volume3
    Issue number14
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

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