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What data should we collect? A framework for identifying indicators of ecosystem contributions to human well being
Citation:
RINGOLD, P. L., J. Boyd, D. H. LANDERS, AND M. WEBER. What data should we collect? A framework for identifying indicators of ecosystem contributions to human well being. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. Ecological Society of America, Ithaca, NY, 11(2):98-105, (2013).
Impact/Purpose:
Ecological data enable a range of policy relevant analyses; the right ecological data enable ecosystem analyses to be linked to human well being making them more relevant and useful.
Description:
Ecological data enable a range of policy relevant analyses; the right ecological data enable ecosystem analyses to be linked to human well being making them more relevant and useful. The challenge we address is how to identify the right data. Our approach, founded on the “final ecosystem goods and services” concept (Boyd James and Banzhaf 2007, Fisher Brendan et al. 2008) enabled us to suggest specific metrics useful for linking stream ecosystems to human well being. These suggestions were developed in a workshop attended by experts in both natural and social sciences. We illustrate the capacity of current national programs in the United States to provide the suggested ecological data. We identify gaps to be addressed, if we wish to improve the capacity to connect ecosystems with human well being. These gaps exist not only in the biophysical metrics themselves, but also, in their temporal and spatial characteristics. Addressing the later gap may be more complex and costly than addressing the former. Sustained interactions between natural and social scientists are necessary to improve our capacity to link ecosystems to human well being resulting in the improved management of nature’s wealth.