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Valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services: Why put economic values on Nature?
1CNRS, UMR 5474 LAMETA, 2, place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex 2, France. jean-michel.salles@supagro.inra.fr
Comptes Rendus Biologies
|June 7, 2011
Summary
Economists are increasingly evaluating ecosystems and biodiversity, but methods and results are debated. This study clarifies the economic valuation of ecosystem services and their impact on conservation policies and market creation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Economics
- Ecological Economics
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Economic evaluation of ecosystems and biodiversity is a growing field.
- Interest is driven by conservation policy advocacy.
- Methods and interpretations of economic valuations remain controversial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the utility and constraints of economic evaluations of ecosystems and biodiversity.
- To analyze the economic qualification of ecosystem services.
- To discuss the implications of valuing biodiversity through ecosystem services.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of economic valuation studies.
- Analysis of the conceptual framework for ecosystem services.
- Discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of biodiversity valuation.
Main Results:
- Economic valuation of ecosystem services is complex and contested.
- The contribution of biodiversity to human well-being requires careful economic qualification.
- Valuation methods have significant consequences for conservation and market development.
Conclusions:
- Economic evaluations can inform public policy for conservation.
- The potential for creating new markets based on biodiversity valuation needs critical assessment.
- Further research is needed to refine methods and address controversies in economic valuation.
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