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Ecosystem services in decision making: time to deliver
Author(s) -
Daily Gretchen C,
Polasky Stephen,
Goldstein Joshua,
Kareiva Peter M,
Mooney Harold A,
Pejchar Liba,
Ricketts Taylor H,
Salzman James,
Shallenberger Robert
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/080025
Subject(s) - ecosystem services , natural capital , mainstream , sketch , natural resource , value (mathematics) , environmental resource management , business , natural resource management , scale (ratio) , conceptual framework , natural (archaeology) , ecosystem , ecology , economics , political science , geography , computer science , sociology , cartography , algorithm , machine learning , law , biology , social science , archaeology
Over the past decade, efforts to value and protect ecosystem services have been promoted by many as the last, best hope for making conservation mainstream – attractive and commonplace worldwide. In theory, if we can help individuals and institutions to recognize the value of nature, then this should greatly increase investments in conservation, while at the same time fostering human well‐being. In practice, however, we have not yet developed the scientific basis, nor the policy and finance mechanisms, for incorporating natural capital into resource‐ and land‐use decisions on a large scale. Here, we propose a conceptual framework and sketch out a strategic plan for delivering on the promise of ecosystem services, drawing on emerging examples from Hawai‘i. We describe key advances in the science and practice of accounting for natural capital in the decisions of individuals, communities, corporations, and governments.