Boyd James, Johnston Robert J, Ringold Paul
Resources for the Future, Washington, DC.
George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, Worcester, MA.
Int Rev Environ Resour Econ. 2023 Jun 15;17(2-3):153-230. doi: 10.1561/101.00000152.
A recent focus of ecosystem services research has been on the definition of biophysical outcomes and measures most closely linked to social welfare. There is a particular need to identify biophysical outcomes corresponding to existence values. (Values associated with existence apart from any current or future use). We review economic and ecological evidence to answer two key questions: First, what are ideal characteristics of linking indicators for existence values? Linking indicators should be: understandable, subject to direct sensory perception, represented at relevant temporal and spatial scales, comprehensive, and quantifiable in a repeatable manner. Second, what types of ecosystem outcomes are most likely to be associated with these values? We distinguish between indicators of taxa and ecological landscapes, and then multiple subcategories within each. Our fundamental conclusion is that while there are general principles informing the specification of linking indicators of existence values, there is no compact set of indicators or measures that applies universally. The case-specific nature of these issues-general guidelines notwithstanding-implies the need for sustained partnerships between social and biophysical scientists to address questions of indicator choice.
生态系统服务研究最近的一个重点是确定与社会福利联系最为紧密的生物物理结果及衡量标准。特别需要确定与存在价值（与当前或未来任何用途无关的存在相关价值）相对应的生物物理结果。我们审视经济和生态证据以回答两个关键问题：第一，存在价值关联指标的理想特征是什么？关联指标应具备：可理解、可直接感知、在相关时空尺度上有体现、全面且能以可重复方式量化。第二，哪些类型的生态系统结果最有可能与这些价值相关联？我们区分了物种分类指标和生态景观指标，然后又在每个类别中细分出多个子类别。我们的基本结论是，虽然存在一些指导存在价值关联指标规范的一般原则，但不存在一套普遍适用的简洁指标或衡量标准。尽管有一般指导方针，但这些问题因具体情况而异，这意味着社会科学家和生物物理科学家需要持续合作以解决指标选择问题。
