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Field Collection and Laboratory Maintenance of Canopy-Forming Giant Kelp to Facilitate Restoration

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Toward a standard lexicon for ecosystem services.

Wayne R Munns¹, Anne W Rea², Marisa J Mazzotta¹

¹US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management

|February 18, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Standardizing ecosystem services (ES) terminology is crucial for effective environmental decision-making. This study presents a lexicon to unify understanding among researchers and policymakers for greater sustainability.

Keywords:

Definitions Ecological benefits Ecosystem services Environmental decision making Terminology

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Area of Science:

Environmental science
Sustainability science
Policy science

Background:

Complex environmental challenges necessitate transdisciplinary solutions.
Ecosystem services (ES) provide a framework for sustainability and policy responsiveness.
A common language is vital for successful transdisciplinary collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

To encourage standardization of ES terminology and definitions.
To facilitate mutual understanding between multidisciplinary researchers and policymakers.
To present a lexicon for ES research informing environmental decisions.

Main Methods:

Development of a straightforward conceptualization of ES relationships.
Creation of a lexicon for ES terminology.
Framework for understanding links between environmental decisions, ecological systems, services, and human well-being.

Main Results:

A proposed lexicon for ecosystem services (ES) terminology.
A conceptual framework linking environmental decisions to ecological systems and human well-being.
Foundation for standardized ES communication.

Conclusions:

Standardized ES terminology is essential for effective environmental decision-making.
The proposed lexicon and framework promote a common understanding.
Advancing ES lexicon standardization supports environmental sustainability.