Recent advances in the valuation of ecosystem services and biodiversity

Atkinson, Giles; Bateman, Ian J.; Mourato, Susana

doi:10.1093/oxrep/grs007

Cited by 104 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 76 publications

(68 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Our study highlights the importance of gaining more knowledge about environmental tipping points as well as the substitutability of environmental goods and services. The need for empirical research on substitutability of ecosystem services is recognized, but little research has been conducted yet (35). Our results might still be too optimistic compared with actual climate change, because here we consider cases in which the economy faces only a single tipping point.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Environmental tipping points significantly affect the cost−benefit assessment of climate policies

Cai

Judd

Lenton

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Most current cost−benefit analyses of climate change policies suggest an optimal global climate policy that is significantly less stringent than the level required to meet the internationally agreed 2°C target. This is partly because the sum of estimated economic damage of climate change across various sectors, such as energy use and changes in agricultural production, results in only a small economic loss or even a small economic gain in the gross world product under predicted levels of climate change. However, those cost−benefit analyses rarely take account of environmental tipping points leading to abrupt and irreversible impacts on market and nonmarket goods and services, including those provided by the climate and by ecosystems. Here we show that including environmental tipping point impacts in a stochastic dynamic integrated assessment model profoundly alters cost−benefit assessment of global climate policy. The risk of a tipping point, even if it only has nonmarket impacts, could substantially increase the present optimal carbon tax. For example, a risk of only 5% loss in nonmarket goods that occurs with a 5% annual probability at 4°C increase of the global surface temperature causes an immediate two-thirds increase in optimal carbon tax. If the tipping point also has a 5% impact on market goods, the optimal carbon tax increases by more than a factor of 3. Hence existing cost−benefit assessments of global climate policy may be significantly underestimating the needs for controlling climate change.climate change | tipping point | ecosystem | carbon tax | relative price effect

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Environmental tipping points significantly affect the cost−benefit assessment of climate policies

Cai

Judd

Lenton

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is now also popular among environmental economists as a tool for understanding individuals" preferences for environmental attributes through stated preference (SP) studies (Hoyos, 2010). DCA has been used to evaluate preferences for forests (Brey, Riera, & Mogas, 2007), wetlands (Carlsson, Frykblom, & Liljenstolpe, 2003), beaches (Beharry-Borg & Scarpa, 2010), landscape beauty (Dachary-Bernard & Rambonilaza, 2012), fish (Agimass & Mekonnen, 2011), and cultural heritage (Choi, Ritchie, Papandrea, & Bennett, 2010), amongst many other environs and ES (see Atkinson, Bateman, & Mourato, 2012 for a recent review of valuation of ES and biodiversity).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Credit-Based Payments for Ecosystem Services: Evidence from a Choice Experiment in Ecuador

Cranford

Mourato

2014

World Development

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Original citation:Cranford, Matthew and Mourato, Susana (2014). Credit-based payments for ecosystem services: evidence from a choice experiment in Ecuador. World Development. 64, pp. 503-520 ISSN 0305-750X DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014 Reuse of this item is permitted through licensing under the Creative Commons: Covering Letter (WITH Author Details) ABSTRACTThe original conceptualization of payments for ecosystem services (PES) promoted direct payments to motivate the provision of environmental public goods, but market imperfections and behavioral considerations can mean that PES that reduce market constraints are preferred. The main issue with the latter is how to include conditionality. We propose credit-based PES (CB-PES) as an incentive that links an environmental condition with the reduction of a key market constraint. Through a choice experiment in Ecuador, CB-PES was found to be a promising form of PES, with multiple desirable qualities of an incentive as cited in the behavioral economics and PES literatures.

show abstract

“…Moreover, another study also reflected, the value of biodiversity as indigenous cultures, and recognize biodiversity's value in religious traditions based on honouring the Earth. Proximity to nature has also been shown to enhance emotional and spiritual wellbeing (Atkinson et al, 2012). Atkinson et al (2012), also explains, cultural ecosystem services include use-related values such as leisure and recreation, aesthetic and inspirational benefits, spiritual and religious benefits, community benefits, education and ecological knowledge, and physical and mental health.…”

Section: Background and Justification Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Atkinson et al (2012), also explains, cultural ecosystem services include userelated values such as leisure and recreation, aesthetic and inspirational benefits, spiritual and religious benefits, community benefits, education and ecological knowledge, and physical and mental health.…”

Section: Use Of Biodiversity For the Livelihood Of The Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity conservation using the indigenous knowledge system: The priority agenda in the case of Zeyse, Zergula and Ganta communities in Gamo Gofa Zone (Southern Ethiopia).

Gandile¹,

Tessema²,

Nake³

2017

Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Biodiversity has fundamental values to humans, because we are dependent on it for our nutritional, cultural, economic, and environmental/ecological well-being and the mismanagement of biodiversity leads to resource decline and biodiversity crisis. Moreover, Indigenous Knowledge develops in local contexts to solve local problems, and it is just another form of knowledge which does not set itself in opposition to sciences. However, values of biodiversity and manifold roles of indigenous knowledge including biodiversity conservations are overlooked and are at a risk of getting extinct in general and in Ethiopia in particular. The objective of this study was to collect information on the values of biodiversity, its current status and conservation of biodiversity using indigenous knowledge of the Zeyse, Zergula and Ganta communities in Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected from six focus group discussions (Native Individuals with age range: 30 to120) to achieve the goals of the research and all of the discussants were indigenous members of each community. A qualitative research design was used and the data were organized and analyzed around the key themes of the research.The result showed value of the biodiversity including specific values of plant biodiversity-Arundinaria alpinak and Moringa stenopetala as human assets for the livelihood of the community. Moreover, the result indicated strong traditional beliefs, laws and customs and affections towards nature to conserve biodiversity including sacred trees and animals (totems). However, the results also indicated, currently, these cultural values of the communities to conserve biodiversity using indigenous knowledge were at a risk of getting extinct/endangered, which resulted in the loss of biodiversity in the study areas. The study result indicated specific values of biodiversity for the livelihood of the communities and strong ties between indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, we need to empower indigenous people to protect their culture embodying indigenous knowledge, belief systems of protecting nature, and cultural practices that promote sustainable biodiversity conservation.Key words: Biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge, wildlife, Nature, Conservation, totem (Kimmerer, 2002).This implies that, for indigenous people, biodiversity is much broader than the scientific view of ecosystem as it includes spiritual values of nature through creation. Biodiversity is directly responsible for 40% of the world"s economy, 70% of the world"s poor live in rural areas depend directly on biodiversity for their livelihood, and 80% of Africans depend on forest resources for food, shelter, medicine, rural architecture and engineering for their survival (World Bank, 2004;Anthwal et al., 2006; WHO, 2010). Moreover, another study also reflected, the value of biodiversity as indigenous cultures, and recognize biodiversity's value in religious traditions based on honouring the Earth. Proximity to nature has also been shown to enhance emotional and spiritual w...

show abstract

Recent advances in the valuation of ecosystem services and biodiversity

Cited by 104 publications

References 76 publications

Environmental tipping points significantly affect the cost−benefit assessment of climate policies

Environmental tipping points significantly affect the cost−benefit assessment of climate policies

Credit-Based Payments for Ecosystem Services: Evidence from a Choice Experiment in Ecuador

Biodiversity conservation using the indigenous knowledge system: The priority agenda in the case of Zeyse, Zergula and Ganta communities in Gamo Gofa Zone (Southern Ethiopia).

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About