Valuing Ecosystem Services

The Case of Multifunctional Wetlands

"Ecosystem services can be broadly defined as the aspects of ecosystemsthat provide benefits to people. The aim of this book is to provideguidance on the valuation of ecosystem services, using the case ofmultifunctional wetlands to illustrate and make recommendationsregarding the methods and techniques that can be applied to appraisemanagement options. It provides a review of ecosystem service valuationrationale, including its importance from both a policy and projectappraisal perspective, and a useful reference when considering policyand appraisal of ecosystem management options. It shows how legalobligations and other high-level management targets should be takeninto account in valuation exercises, thus giving important policycontext to the management options.

"The authors argue that it is not only ecosystems themselves that shouldbe valued, but also the goods and services provided, which affect humanwelfare. They build upon the idea of ecosystem services as the aspectsof ecosystems consumed or utilized to produce human well-being, thusincluding ecosystem organization (structure), operation (process) andoutflows. They set out what they call an Ecosystem Services Approach tothe full appraisal of the role of ecosystem services in the economy andsociety. Although concentrating on wetlands, the approaches suggestedprovide an assessment framework that can be applied to other types ofecosystem assets." [from Publisher]