Field evidence that ecosystem service projects support biodiversity and diversify options

Area of Science:

• Conservation Science
• Environmental Management
• Ecological Economics

Background:

• Ecosystem service (ES) approaches are emerging as a conservation strategy to broaden support for biodiversity protection.
• These approaches aim to engage diverse stakeholders, policies, and financial resources, unlike traditional methods focused on land acquisition.
• Projected human impacts necessitate innovative conservation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of ecosystem service (ES) approaches compared to traditional biodiversity (BD) projects.
• To determine if ES approaches realize their potential in attracting support and resources for conservation.

Main Methods:

• Field research comparing 34 ES projects with 26 BD projects in the Western Hemisphere.
• Analysis of funding sources, financial tools, project scope (working landscapes vs. protected areas), and stakeholder engagement.

Main Results:

• ES projects secured over four times more funding than BD projects, utilizing diverse financial tools and corporate sponsorship.
• ES projects were more inclusive of working landscapes and local communities.
• ES projects did not reduce conservation opportunities and were as likely as BD projects to include protected areas.
• ES approaches engaged a wider array of funders, rather than depleting existing resources.

Conclusions:

• Ecosystem service approaches demonstrate significant potential in mobilizing financial resources and engaging diverse stakeholders in conservation.
• ES projects offer a complementary strategy to traditional biodiversity conservation, expanding its reach and inclusivity.
• A critical gap exists in the consistent monitoring of conservation outcomes for both ES and BD projects, hindering effectiveness assessments.