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Related Concept Videos

What is an Ecosystem?01:17

What is an Ecosystem?

Overview
Ecological Disturbance02:26

Ecological Disturbance

An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
Decision Making01:20

Decision Making

Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
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Keystone Species01:39

Keystone Species

Measures of species biodiversity, such as richness (i.e., the number of species present) and evenness (i.e., their relative abundance), describe an ecological community’s structure. Many factors affect community structure, including abiotic factors (e.g., sunlight and nutrients), disturbances (e.g., fire or flood), species interactions (e.g., predation or competition), and chance events (e.g., foreign species invasion). Certain species—such as keystone species—also play a pivotal role in the...
Decision Making: Traditional Method01:14

Decision Making: Traditional Method

The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
12:44

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework

Published on: July 24, 2016

Ecosystem services and environmental decision making: seeking order in complexity.

Sabine E Apitz1

  • 1SEA Environmental Decisions, Little Hadham, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. drsea@cvrl.org

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
|January 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary

The Ecosystem Service Paradigm (EsSP) offers a framework for environmental policy and decision-making. This study clarifies EsSP applications and introduces a decision cascade to improve cross-disciplinary integration for sustainable management.

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
12:44

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework

Published on: July 24, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Environmental policy and management
  • Ecosystem services assessment and valuation
  • Decision analysis in environmental science

Background:

  • The Ecosystem Service Paradigm (EsSP) is increasingly integrated into international environmental policy, legislation, and management.
  • EsSP links human activities, ecosystems, and the services they provide, aiding decision-making.
  • Variability in defining, quantifying, and valuing ecosystem services (EsS) hinders their cross-sectoral application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the application, definition, quantification, valuation, and communication of ecosystem services within various frameworks.
  • To introduce the Ecosystem Service Decision Cascade as a conceptual framework for practical EsSP applications.
  • To develop taxonomies for EsSP applications based on decision context, perspective, and assessment approach.

Main Methods:

  • Description of the Ecosystem Service Decision Cascade, including Ecosystem Service Decision Analysis (EsSD), Ecosystem Service Assessment (EsSA), and Ecosystem Service Valuation (EsSV).
  • Introduction of Ecosystem Response Assessment (EcoResA) and Ecosystem Regional Assessment (EcoRegA) to expand ecological risk assessment.
  • Development of taxonomies for EsSP applications and examination of European regulatory and management contexts.

Main Results:

  • The EsS Decision Cascade provides a structured, iterative framework for applying EsSP in decision-making.
  • EsS-based evaluations can incorporate trade-offs, moving beyond traditional risk-focused approaches.
  • Taxonomies are proposed to categorize EsSP applications, aiding cross-disciplinary understanding and integration.

Conclusions:

  • Clearer definitions and consistent application of EsSP terminology are crucial for effective cross-disciplinary integration.
  • The EsS Decision Cascade and proposed taxonomies offer a robust approach to applying EsSP in environmental management.
  • Understanding trade-offs through EsS-based assessments is essential for sustainable landscape and resource management.