Exponent, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, USA.
Integr Environ Assess Manag. 2012 Jul;8(3):401-11. doi: 10.1002/ieam.1279. Epub 2012 Jun 5.
The benefits people obtain from ecosystems vary from direct benefits that are easily monetized (e.g., timber) to indirect benefits that are not easily monetized (e.g., maintenance of water quality). Commonly, there is wide variation among individuals in the values placed on ecosystem benefits or services. The lack of consensus both in identifying ecosystem services and in valuing them with respect to other services poses a great challenge to those charged with evaluating changes in the provision of ecosystem service after, for example, a natural disaster. Natural resource economics provides some tools, but economics alone will not ensure a balanced, holistic assessment. An inherent complexity in valuing services is often associated with the interrelationships between services and the background and expertise of those leading the assessment. We argue that a holistic evaluation of ecosystems founded on solid expertise in ecosystem dynamics is essential for the accurate assessment of ecosystem services. A reductionist approach to ecosystem service valuation often fails to capture ecological dynamics that are vital to the functioning and ultimate provision of services. In this article, we present case studies of ecosystem services valuation for forest fires, dam removal, and chemical contamination of sediment to explore the complexity of ecosystem service valuation. Additionally, we offer assessment strategies for recognizing the importance of holistic assessment of ecosystem services.
人们从生态系统中获得的益处分为两类，直接益处（例如木材）可以很容易地货币化，间接益处（例如水质维护）则难以货币化。通常，个体对生态系统益处或服务的重视程度存在很大差异。在确定生态系统服务以及对其与其他服务进行估值方面缺乏共识，这给那些负责评估例如自然灾害之后生态系统服务提供变化的人带来了巨大挑战。自然资源经济学提供了一些工具，但仅靠经济学并不能确保进行平衡、全面的评估。在对服务进行估值时，一个固有的复杂性通常与服务之间的相互关系以及领导评估的人员的背景和专业知识有关。我们认为，基于对生态系统动态的扎实专业知识的生态系统整体评估对于准确评估生态系统服务至关重要。生态系统服务估值的还原论方法往往无法捕捉对服务的功能和最终提供至关重要的生态动态。在本文中，我们通过森林火灾、大坝拆除和沉积物化学污染的生态系统服务估值案例研究，探讨了生态系统服务估值的复杂性。此外，我们还提供了评估策略，以认识到对生态系统服务进行整体评估的重要性。
