Overview of the Ecosystem Services Concept

The chapter provides a concise introduction into the issue of ecosystem services (ES), its research, and implementation. It starts with the definition, primary model, and a brief history of this concept. The ES approach is increasingly reflected and applied in the scientific field, but it does not yet have the necessary support in the economic and decision-making areas. The second part is devoted to the ES classification systems, which are used for the research, followed by an overview of basic assessment methods. The most used classification of ES includes provisioning, regulating and supporting, and cultural ES. Research methods are usually divided into biophysical, sociocultural, and economic (monetary). The most frequently used and recommended methods are briefly described. The next part characterizes the level of ES research and implementation in the European Union, which is a leader in this field. Significant progress was achieved in most EU Member States within the Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) process. The last part of the chapter provides the ES political background and research outputs in Slovakia. The implementation rate of the ES concept in the Slovak Republic is one of the lowest in the whole of the EU – and this is a real challenge for the future.