Selecting methods for ecosystem service assessment: a decision tree approach

Harrison, Paula A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9873-3338; Dunford, Rob; Barton, David N.; Kelemen, Eszter; Martín-López, Berta; Norton, Lisa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1622-0281; Termansen, Mette; Saarikoski, Heli; Hendriks, Kees; Gómez-Baggethun, Erik; Czúcz, Bálint; García-Llorente, Marina; Howard, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4494-7450; Jacobs, Sander; Karlsen, Martin; Kopperoinen, Leena; Madsen, Andes; Rusch, Graciela; van Eupen, Michiel; Verweij, Peter; Smith, Ron; Tuomasjukka, Diana; Zulian, Grazia. 2018 Selecting methods for ecosystem service assessment: a decision tree approach [in special issue: SI: Synthesizing OpenNESS] Ecosystem Services, 29 (C). 481-498. 10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.016

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.016

Abstract/Summary

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 address 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.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.016
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-) Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-) UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	2212-0416
Additional Keywords:	guidance, method, tool, decision trees, biophysical, monetary, socio-cultural
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	09 Nov 2017 12:28 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/518213

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.016

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
UKCEH Fellows

ISSN:

2212-0416

Additional Keywords:

guidance, method, tool, decision trees, biophysical, monetary, socio-cultural

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment