Valuing Ecosystem Services The Case of Multi-functional Wetlands [Paperback]

Ecosystem services can be broadly defined as the aspects of ecosystems that provide benefits to people. This book provides guidance on the valuation of ecosystem services, using the case of multifunctional wetlands to illustrate and make recommendations regarding the methods and techniques that can be applied to appraise management options. It provides a review of ecosystem service valuation rationale, including its importance from both a policy and project appraisal perspective, and a useful reference when considering policy and appraisal of ecosystem management options. It shows how legal obligations and other high-level management targets should be taken into account in valuation exercises, thus giving important policy context to the management options. 

The authors set out what they call an Ecosystem Services Approach to the full appraisal of the role of ecosystem services in the economy and society. Although concentrating on wetlands, the approaches suggested provide an assessment framework that can be applied to other types of ecosystem assets.

1. Introduction 

2.The Ecosystem Services Approach to Natural Resource Management 

3. Policy Appraisal Perspectives and Socio-economic Appraisal Approaches 

4. The Ecosystem Services Approach: Valuation of Multi-functional Wetlands 

5. Economic Valuation of Wetland Ecosystem Services in Practice 

6. Valuation of Multi-functional Wetland: Case Studies 

7. Conclusions and Future Prospects 

Appendices 

Bibliography 

Index

'This is the definitive volume on understanding and valuing wetland ecosystem services. With rapidly growing interest in ecosystem services and applications in a broad range of contexts, this volume is absolutely essential.'Robert Costanza, Professor of ecological els$