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Rapid Benefit Indicator Tools
Citation:
Bousquin, J. AND M. Mazzotta. Rapid Benefit Indicator Tools. Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity.. Springer, Heidelberg, Germany, , 309-330, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45843-0_16
Impact/Purpose:
The aim of this book is to address key theoretical and practical challenges to practical implementation of EBM and incorporation of ecosystem services into the management of aquatic environments and conservation of biodiversity. This chapter focuses on the interconnection of ecosystem services to the socio-economic benefits they provide to people. The chapter describes the rapid benefit indicator tools available to ecosystem based management.
Description:
Given the many interconnections between socio-economic and ecological systems, for Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) to be effective, decision makers must consider metrics for both. Supply side tools and assessments characterize ecosystem condition, functioning, and potential to provide ecosystem goods and services (EGS). Demand side tools, including economic valuation, assess people’s preferences for EGS and sometimes estimate the monetary amount people are willing to pay for a good or service. However, economic valuation is often omitted from assessments, due to lack of data or expertise; and economic valuation alone may not sufficiently capture all important aspects of some decisions. Benefit-relevant indicators have evolved as a way to measure the connection between goods or services that may be provided by an ecosystem, and people who may benefit from those services, while stopping short of valuation (Olander et al., Ecol Indic 85:1262–1272, 2018). Like economic valuation, benefit-relevant indicators can help assess trade-offs and compare alternative outcomes (National Ecosystem Services Partnership, Federal resource management and ecosystem services guidebook. National Ecosystem Services Partnership, Duke University, Durham, 2016). The Rapid Benefit Indicators (RBI) approach is an easy-to-use process for choosing a structured set of non-monetary benefit-relevant indicators for assessment (Mazzotta et al., Integr Environ Assess Manag 15:148–159, 2019). The RBI approach indicators are intended to be applied in conjunction with existing ecosystem service assessment approaches and tools, to connect changes in the availability of EGS to the locations where, and how, people benefit from those goods and services. Though developed for use with urban freshwater wetland restoration, the general RBI approach and indicator framework may be adapted and applied to other environmental changes or ecological systems. This chapter will detail the RBI approach and highlight how RBI tools can inform resource management decisions.
