Selecting methods for ecosystem service assessment: A decision tree approach
A range of methods are available for assessing ecosystem services. Methods differ in their aims; from mapping and modelling the supply and demand of ecosystem services to appraising their economic and non-economic importance through valuation techniques. Comprehensive guidance for the selection of appropriate ecosystem service assessment methods that addresses the requirements of different decision-making contexts is lacking. This paper tackles this gap using the experience from 27 case studies which applied different biophysical, socio-cultural and monetary valuation methods to operationalise the ecosystem service concept towards sustainable land, water and urban management. A survey of the reasons why the case study teams selected particular methods revealed that stakeholder-oriented reasons, such as stakeholder participation, inclusion of local knowledge and ease of communication, and decision-oriented reasons, such as the purpose of the case study and the ecosystem services at stake, were key considerations in selecting a method. Pragmatic reasons such as available data, resources and expertise were also important factors. This information was used to develop a set of linked decision trees, which aim to provide guidance to researchers and practitioners in choosing ecosystem service assessment methods that are suitable for their context.
HARRISON Paula;
DUNFORD Robert;
BARTON David;
KELEMEN Eszter;
MARTÍN LÓPEZ Berta;
NORTON Lisa;
TERMANSEN Mette;
SAARIKOSKI Heli;
HENDRIKS Kees;
GÓMEZ-BAGGETHUN Erik;
CZÚCZ Bálint;
GARCÍA-LLORENTE Maria;
HOWARD David;
JACOBS Sander;
KARLSEN Martin;
KOPPEROINEN Leena;
MADSEN Anders;
RUSCH Graciela;
VAN EUPEN Michiel;
VERWEIJ Peter;
SMITH Ron;
TUOMASJUKKA Diana;
ZULIAN Grazia;
2018-01-11
ELSEVIER B.V.
JRC108431
2212-0416,
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212041617300487,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC108431,
10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.016,
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