Assessing Ecosystem Services to Identify Conservation Priorities
2006
Mapping the Economic Costs and Benefits of Conservation
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Robin Naidoo, Taylor Ricketts, Kai Chan, Rebecca Shaw, Gretchen Daily
Hypothesis
How can ecosystem services be integrated into conservation planning to identify priorities?
Conclusion
Integrating ecosystem services into conservation planning can reveal important tradeoffs and opportunities for effective conservation.
Supporting Evidence
- The study found that carbon storage is the most valuable ecosystem service.
- Linking large forest patches with wildlife corridors can provide greater net benefits.
- The authors identified tradeoffs between prioritizing biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Takeaway
This study shows that protecting nature can also help people by providing valuable services like clean water and flood control.
Methodology
The authors used spatially explicit models to assess ecosystem services and their economic values in conservation planning.
Limitations
The study may not account for all variables affecting ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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