A quantitative review of ecosystem service studies: approaches, shortcomings and the road ahead

Abstract

Summary1. Ecosystem services are defined as the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems. Employing the ecosystem service concept is intended to support the development of policies and instruments that integrate social, economic and ecological perspectives. In recent years, this concept has become the paradigm of ecosystem management. 2. The prolific use of the term 'ecosystem services' in scientific studies has given rise to concerns about its arbitrary application. A quantitative review of recent literature shows the diversity of approaches and uncovers a lack of consistent methodology. 3. From this analysis, we have derived four facets that characterise the holistic ideal of ecosystem services research: (i) biophysical realism of ecosystem data and models; (ii) consideration of local trade-offs; (iii) recognition of off-site effects; and (iv) comprehensive but critical involvement of stakeholders within assessment studies. 4. These four facets should be taken as a methodological blueprint for further development and discussion. They should critically reveal and elucidate what may often appear to be ad-hoc approaches to ecosystem service assessments. 5. Synthesis and applications: Based on this quantitative review, we provide guidelines for further development and discussions supporting consistency in applications of the ecosystem service concept as well as the credibility of results, which in turn can make it easier to generalise from the numerous individual studies.

Beyond Ecosystem Services: Valuing the Invaluable

“…First, it has the potential to meet various recommendations previously made for implementation of the ESF, including resilience, promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration and involvement of stakeholders [11], focus on direct human encounters with ecosystems and attention to both local and off-site effects [43]. Second, the EVF should function well in non-Western cultures (often found in parts of the world of great conservation importance [38]) by downplaying the 'humans vs. nature' [44] and 'cultural vs. material' [36] dualisms typical of Western worldviews and recognising instead how people's cultural identity and well-being may be closely bound up in relationships with the non-human world [10].…”

The role of remote sensing in the development of SMART indicators for ecosystem services assessment

“…To address this, there has been considerable recent focus on the development and use of standardised remotely sensed-products (Andrew et al, 2014;Seppelt et al, 2011). These products, which are largely land cover/land use type products but also include NDVI and other remotely sensed variables, tend to be produced from a single satellite sensor, removing variability associated with multiple sensor characteristics.…”

Mapping of nutrient regulating ecosystem service supply and demand on different scales in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

“…1). Ecosystem service supply can be specified as potentials (or capacities) and flows (Syrbe et al 2017, Schröter et al 2014; see Table 1). Ecosystem service mapping framework (based on Syrbe et al 2017; aspects presented in italic were assessed in this study).…”

“…More precisely, the excess of nutrients on agricultural land leads to increasing nutrient losses from the soil and consequently enrichment of nutrients in groundwater, lakes, rivers and eventually the ocean (Chapin et al 2002, Vitousek et al 1997, Tivy 1987. Therefore, the eutrophication of ecosystems has been recognised as a severe issue by society as well as research, whereby agriculture has been defined as the major diffuse source of nutrient inputs into the environment (Trepel 2016, TEEB 2015, Taube et al 2013, Larsson and Granstedt 2010, HELCOM 2004. On the political level of the European Union, there are different directives aiming to decrease nutrient inputs, such as the Nitrate Directive (European Council 1991), Water Framework Directive (European Parliament and Council of the European Union 2000) and Groundwater Directive (European Parliament and Council of the European Union 2006).…”

“…Therefore, the European Union has asked all its member states to map and assess the states of their ecosystems and the services they provide within the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (Maes et al 2012). Ecosystem service analyses are qualified to support sustainable land management (Smith et al 2012), as the capacity of ecosystems to produce desired benefits is assessed.…”