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Ecosystem Scenarios

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Ecosystem Services - living within environmental limits. EPLP-078. Ecosystem services. Humankind benefits in a multitude of ways from ecosystems.

Ecosystem services

Collectively, these benefits are known as ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are regularly involved in the provisioning of clean drinking water and the decomposition of wastes. While scientists and environmentalists have discussed ecosystem services implicitly for decades, the ecosystem services concept itself was popularized by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) in the early 2000s.[1] This grouped ecosystem services into four broad categories: provisioning, such as the production of food and water; regulating, such as the control of climate and disease; supporting, such as nutrient cycles and crop pollination; and cultural, such as spiritual and recreational benefits. To help inform decision-makers, many ecosystem services are being assigned economic values. §History[edit] In 1956, Paul Sears [7] drew attention to the critical role of the ecosystem in processing wastes and recycling nutrients.

§Definition[edit] Ecosystem services - Detailed guidance. Overview The UK National Ecosystem Assessment provided the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment in terms of the benefits it provides to society and our continuing economic prosperity.

Ecosystem services - Detailed guidance

Its findings indicate that ecosystems and ecosystem services, and the ways people benefit from them, have changed markedly in the past 60 years, driven by changes in society. It also cites that the UK’s ecosystems are delivering some services well, but others are still in long-term decline. Research is underway to investigate the mix of future actions likely to secure the most benefits for nature and for people from our ecosystems. It will also develop practical tools to assist decision-makers in applying the lessons of the National Ecosystem Assessment. Using an ecosystems approach An ecosystems approach is a way of looking at the natural environment throughout your decision making process that helps you to think about the way that the natural environment works as a system. Ecosystem Services and Economics. UNEP’s work on Ecosystem Services Economics (ESE) aims to support its effort in building capacity of stakeholders to generate scientifically credible information required for integrating an ecosystem service approach into national economic and development frameworks.

Ecosystem Services and Economics

The ESE work is geared towards developing a knowledge base as well as promoting understanding on how ecosystems and services they provide relate to human well-being and development. The three main areas of focus are: Economic Valuation and Natural Wealth Equity in Ecosystem Management Disaster Risk Management UNEP’s work on ESE is in line with the global strategy for the follow-up to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) of 2005.

The MA follow-up was developed by a group of interested partner organisations to address the remaining challenges highlighted by independent evaluations of the MA. Economic Valuation and Natural Wealth World Wealth Report UNDP-Spain MDG Achievement Project (Senegal) Ecotaxation Project in Senegal. Valuation of Ecosystem Services. Essentials, Section 2Valuation of Ecosystem Services This section defines and explains some important concepts related to how economists approach ecosystem valuation.

Valuation of Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem valuation can be a difficult and controversial task, and economists have often been criticized for trying to put a “pricetag” on nature. However, agencies in charge of protecting and managing natural resources must often make difficult spending decisions that involve tradeoffs in allocating resources. These types of decisions are economic decisions, and thus are based, either explicitly or implicitly, on society’s values. Therefore, economic valuation can be useful, by providing a way to justify and set priorities for programs, policies, or actions that protect or restore ecosystems and their services (see The Big Picture for more information). In order to understand how economists approach ecosystem valuation, it is useful to review some important definitions and concepts. Future Scenarios in Ecosystem Services. Last week, I officially became an urban beekeeper.

Future Scenarios in Ecosystem Services

Hovering over my hive, I think a lot about pollination and how many more melons and nectarines I might get this year because of my bees. Pollination, fertile topsoil, a predictable climate—free services provided by the natural infrastructure all around us—are collectively known as “ecosystem services.” Today, I’m not the only one tracking this concept. Believe it or not, business cares about bees, too.

BSR’s newest report chronicles the exploration of ecosystem services within government, business, and financial services, and takes a closer look at how businesses are engaging with the topic.