Valuation of ecosystem services and natural capital
0
Citation
0
Reference
20
Related Paper
Keywords:
Ecosystem valuation
Natural Capital
Ecological Economics
Ecosystem Management
Cite
Ecosystem valuation
Value (mathematics)
Total human ecosystem
Cite
Citations (0)
Ecosystem valuation
Cite
Citations (101)
Ecosystem services refer to the ecosystem goods and services,which represent the benefits that human population derive,directly or indirectly,from ecosystem functions.Components of ecosystem service valuation and their valuation methods are specially discussed in this paper.The main conclusion is that:the various levels of ecosystem services value point to the need for a hierarchical and pluralistic methodology to determine appropriate polices for its preservation.
Ecosystem valuation
Cite
Citations (0)
The evaluation of ecosystem service value is one of the important steps to improve ecosystem accounting methods and the existing accounting systems, and also one of the key techniques to accelerate the reform of ecological civilization system and to build a beautiful China. However, few literature have systematically distinguished the valuation methods of ecosystem services based on the purpose of valuation, which may lead to overestimation of ecosystem services value from the demand side and inconsistent measurement results among different departments. Based on the purpose of ecosystem accounting, we reviewed the valuation methods of ecosystem services. We started from the connotation and value of ecosystem services, illustrated the classification methods of ecosystem ser-vice value and concluded the approaches of ecosystem service economic units, with the aim to identify the extent to which ecosystem services were involved in system of national accounts (SNA). Then, we systematically sorted out the connotation, applicable scope and data demand of current ecosystem service valuation methods. From the perspective of ecosystem accounting, we discussed the valuation methods applicable to various types of ecosystem services. Finally, we analyzed the deficiency of the current relevant research and proposed some suggestions for the future research.
Ecosystem valuation
Cite
Citations (1)
The ecosystem services are material base and natural capital for sustainable development of human being. Valuation of ecosystem services is favorable for people realizing the importance of natural ecosystem to human being, and considering its long-term influence on sustainable development of human society when making decisions. Besides, it is an attempt of ecology, geography and other natural sciences to influence social decision process by economic methods. The Value of the World’s Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital, written by Robert Costanza et al., in 1997, is generally regarded as a masterpiece for the research of valuing ecosystem services. However, the classifying standard of ecosystem services, the method of various services summation and the purpose for static global value, had confronted many criticisms. Still to now, accurately valuing ecosystem services is not easy, because of the complexity of natural ecosystem, the weak capability of economic system to pricing ecosystem services and the lack of more study in this field. Based on the criticisms summarizing and comprehensive analysis, further study suggestions of ecosystem services valuation is presented: multi-scale integrated and community participation applied in evaluation, dynamic changes of material value and intangible value of ecosystem services, investigation and simulation studies of the marginal value when ecosystem services changed, associated with related areas like ecological compensation research, and research on the market-oriented evaluation of ecosystem’s intangible values.
Ecosystem valuation
Natural Capital
Ecosystem Management
Total human ecosystem
Ecological Economics
Cite
Citations (0)
With the progress of science technology and the increasingly degradation of environment,the researches on the comprehensive understanding and proper valuation of ecosystem services have become a hot spot of ecology.This paper reviewed the four phases of ecosystem services studies in China,including the primitive recognition phase,the short-term ecological study phase,the long-term ecosystem observation phase,and the valuation of eco-service phase,and analyzed the major findings,debated on valuations of ecosystem services study in China.It is concluded that,there is a long way to go for the ecosystem services study in China.The future research would focus on the in-depth study on functions of ecosystem,the standardization of indicators and methods for valuation,the modeling and scaling in the ecosystem service studies,the combination of ecosystem service study and decision making process,and the market mechanism of eco-service in China.
Ecosystem valuation
Ecosystem Management
Total human ecosystem
Cite
Citations (29)
Ecosystem services valuation has become one of the hotspots in the field of ecological economics,and provides quantitative evidence concerning the importance of the ecosystem for human-beings and also a scientific basis for the establishment of ecological compensation mechanisms. Over the past 5 years,SCI publications have increased at an average speed of 40% per year. In China,studies on ecosystem services valuation have advanced well since the late 1990s,and have shifted from simply the imitation of overseas research to the modification of valuation model parameters and the integration of valuation methods. Several viewpoints have been advanced to interpret the relationship among natural components-ecological processes-ecological functions-ecological services-benefits and,as a result,various valuation index systems have been developed. To date,valuation work was more instantaneous and static rather than dynamic. The areas studied cover large-scale and/or single ecosystems to regional ecosystems,and GIS-based valuation and mapping of ecosystem services are expected to direct future research as well as leading to practical application. This paper reviewed the current status and advances in ecosystem services valuation based on the most recent publications in this field. Distribution of study sites and the interdisciplinary characteristics,definition and classification of ecosystem services,the valuation methods and GIS-based mapping techniques were discussed. However,to meet the requirements of regional ecosystem management and decision making,further studies on the connotation and classification of ecosystem services,dynamic valuation,and the application of GIS-based techniques are needed.
Ecosystem valuation
Ecosystem Management
Cite
Citations (2)
Understanding the economic value of nature and the services it provides to humanity has become increasingly important for local, national, and global policy and decision making. It has become obvious that quantifying and integrating these services into decision making will be crucial for sustainable development. Problems arise in that it is difficult to obtain meaningful values for the goods and services that ecosystems provide and for which there is no formal market. A wide range of ecosystem services fall into this category. Additional problems arise when economic methods are applied inappropriately and when the importance of ecosystem maintenance for human welfare is underestimated. In this article we identify a place for monetary valuation within the pluralistic approach supported by ecological economics and assess progress to date in the application of environmental valuation to ecosystem service provision. We first review definitions of ecosystem services in order to make an operational link to valuation methods. We then discuss the spatially explicit nature of ecosystem services provision and benefits capture. We highlight the importance of valuing marginal changes and the role for macroscale valuation, nonlinearities in service benefits, and the significance of nonconvexities (threshold effects). We also review guidance on valuation studies quality assurance, and discuss the problems inherent in the methodology as exposed by the findings of behavioral economics, as well as with benefits transfer —the most common way valuation studies are applied in the policy process. We argue for a sequential decision support system that can lead to a more integrated and rigorous approach to environmental valuation and biophysical measurement of ecosystem services. This system itself then needs to be encompassed within a more comprehensive multicriteria assessment dialogue and process.
Cite
Citations (169)
The concept and valuation of ecosystem services have emerged as growing and dynamic areas of research over the past few years. The adoption of these ideas and methods into mainstream policy discussions and practice has occurred at a rapid pace. Conventionally, the valuation of ecosystem services has been synonymous with estimating the economic (monetary) value of these services. However, monetisation has limitations that need to be acknowledged before it is adopted in policies. In addition, the socio-political and institutional dimensions of ecosystem services are largely overlooked in the debate. Against this backdrop, the Indian Society for Ecological Economics (INSEE) has put together this special section to critically review the current thinking and practices surrounding ecosystem services and to present emerging alternative approaches.
Ecosystem valuation
Pace
Mainstream
Ecological Economics
Value (mathematics)
Cite
Citations (5)
Predicament causation of the valuation of ecosystem services was precisely analyzed as well as the existing predicaments of the valuation of ecosystem services, which offered favorable theoretical basis for the improving of the valuation of ecosystem services in future.
Ecosystem valuation
Causation
Cite
Citations (0)