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Realizing the Potential of Ecosystem Services: A Framework for Relating Ecological Changes to Economic Benefits
Citation:
WAINGER, L. AND M. MAZZOTTA. Realizing the Potential of Ecosystem Services: A Framework for Relating Ecological Changes to Economic Benefits. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, 48(4):710-733, (2011).
Impact/Purpose:
We demonstrate a framework that may facilitate working relationships, particularly between ecologists and economists, to inform effective policy.
Description:
An analysis framework to link ecological change to economic benefits for multiple stakeholders requires several key components. First, since we aim to support policy decisions, the framework should link a factor that can be controlled or influenced by policy (discharge limit, carbon tax, fishing quota, etc.) to a change in an ecosystem stressor (pollutant runoff, carbon emissions) or to a direct change in the ecosystem (e.g., fish productivity). This link between a management opportunity and an outcome of ecological significance provides the first step towards determining whether a policy change is likely to be beneficial. Second, the change in a stressor or ecosystem function will need to be linked to an outcome that matters to people. This is the step that allows policy-makers to understand the significance of the ecological change, in terms of changes in ecosystem goods and services. Finally, the framework should aim to measure how this change affects people’s well-being, including, but not limited to, financial well-being. In this paper, we demonstrate a framework that may facilitate working relationships, particularly between ecologists and economists, to inform effective policy.
URLs/Downloads:
Realizing the Potential of Ecosystem Services: A Framework for Linking Ecological and Economic Models to Support Decision-makers