Valuing ecosystem services: theory, practice, and the need for a transdisciplinary synthesis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Economics
• Conservation Science
• Sustainability Studies

Background:

• The paradigm shift recognizes nature as natural capital, crucial for human societies.
• Ecosystem services are vital assets but face increasing scarcity.
• Ecosystem services valuation (ESV) is a method to assess and communicate the value of natural capital.

Observation:

• ESV research has evolved towards a more transdisciplinary approach over 50 years.
• The application of ESV in ecosystem management has been less impactful than anticipated.
• A gap exists between ESV research advancements and practical ecosystem management implementation.

Findings:

• ESV provides a framework for comparing natural capital with other forms of capital.
• ESV aids in monitoring the state of natural capital and evaluating projects impacting it.
• Over 50 years, ESV research has increasingly adopted transdisciplinary methods.

Implications:

• ESV researchers must integrate diverse tools and methodologies from various disciplines.
• Future ESV research should be problem-driven, focusing on real-world decision-making.
• Effective ESV is critical for informed ecosystem management and the conservation of natural capital.