scholarly journals Adaptive governance, ecosystem management, and natural capital

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (24) ◽  
pp. 7369-7374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisen Schultz ◽  
Carl Folke ◽  
Henrik Österblom ◽  
Per Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ecosystem Management ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Adaptive Governance ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Global Impacts

To gain insights into the effects of adaptive governance on natural capital, we compare three well-studied initiatives; a landscape in Southern Sweden, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and fisheries in the Southern Ocean. We assess changes in natural capital and ecosystem services related to these social–ecological governance approaches to ecosystem management and investigate their capacity to respond to change and new challenges. The adaptive governance initiatives are compared with other efforts aimed at conservation and sustainable use of natural capital: Natura 2000 in Europe, lobster fisheries in the Gulf of Maine, North America, and fisheries in Europe. In contrast to these efforts, we found that the adaptive governance cases developed capacity to perform ecosystem management, manage multiple ecosystem services, and monitor, communicate, and respond to ecosystem-wide changes at landscape and seascape levels with visible effects on natural capital. They enabled actors to collaborate across diverse interests, sectors, and institutional arrangements and detect opportunities and problems as they developed while nurturing adaptive capacity to deal with them. They all spanned local to international levels of decision making, thus representing multilevel governance systems for managing natural capital. As with any governance system, internal changes and external drivers of global impacts and demands will continue to challenge the long-term success of such initiatives.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities of Aligning Forest Function Mapping and the Ecosystem Service Concept in Germany

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 691 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Tiemann ◽  
Irene Ring
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Forest Sector ◽  
Governance System ◽  
German States ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Forest Function ◽  
Function Mapping

In the context of considering natural capital in decision-making, the ecosystem services concept is steadily increasing in importance. This also holds for the forest sector in Germany. This development calls for a harmonisation of approaches and terms used in the forest sector, as well as being made compatible with the ecosystem services concept and relevant classifications. In Germany, and a number of Central European countries, a common way to assess the multifunctional benefits of forests is the forest function mapping method. Due to the federal multi-level governance system in Germany, each state has its own classification of forest functions and mapping. A first objective of this paper is to align the various forest function categories across German states as a basis to relate them to the ecosystem services concept. Second, this bottom-up approach is combined with a top-down approach, building on the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES). The aim is to develop a harmonised, methodological framework, suitable for accounting forest-related ecosystem services, as a step towards future ecosystem services monitoring and reporting commitments in the forest sector. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of the ecosystem services concept for forest management are discussed and ways forward are elaborated.

scholarly journals Ecosystem services and ecological degradation of communal wetlands in a South African biodiversity hotspot

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 181770 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Owethu Pantshwa ◽  
Falko T. Buschke
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Ecological System ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Personal Benefit ◽  
Administrative Area ◽  
Gender Based

Wetlands provide important ecosystem services to rural communities. However, wetlands are often on communal land, so they may become degraded when individual users act to maximize their personal benefit from ecosystem services without bearing the full environmental costs of their actions. Although it is possible to manage communal resources sustainably, this depends on the dynamics of the socio-ecological system. In this study, we used a structured questionnaire to examine whether demographic characteristics of a rural community and the propensity for partaking in damage-causing activities affected the benefits obtained from the wetlands. Responses from 50 households in the rural Hlabathi administrative area within the Maputo-Albany-Pondoland Biodiversity Hotspot, South Africa, indicated that the entire community obtains some benefits from wetlands; most notably regulating ecosystem services. However, males were more likely to benefit from wetlands, which highlights a potential power imbalance. Respondents were more likely to blame others for wetland degradation, although there was no link between the damage-causing activities and benefits from wetlands. The high dependence on ecosystem services by community members, when combined with gender-based power imbalances and the propensity to blame others, could jeopardize the sustainable use of communal wetlands. Therefore, we describe how strong leadership could nurture a sustainable social–ecological system by integrating ecological information and social empowerment into a multi-level governance system.

Ecosystem Services

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon C. Braat
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Nature Management ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Policy And Planning

The concept of ecosystem services considers the usefulness of nature for human society. The economic importance of nature was described and analyzed in the 18th century, but the term ecosystem services was introduced only in 1981. Since then it has spurred an increasing number of academic publications, international research projects, and policy studies. Now a subject of intense debate in the global scientific community, from the natural to social science domains, it is also used, developed, and customized in policy arenas and considered, if in a still somewhat skeptical and apprehensive way, in the “practice” domain—by nature management agencies, farmers, foresters, and corporate business. This process of bridging evident gaps between ecology and economics, and between nature conservation and economic development, has also been felt in the political arena, including in the United Nations and the European Union (which have placed it at the center of their nature conservation and sustainable use strategies). The concept involves the utilitarian framing of those functions of nature that are used by humans and considered beneficial to society as economic and social services. In this light, for example, the disappearance of biodiversity directly affects ecosystem functions that underpin critical services for human well-being. More generally, the concept can be defined in this manner: Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems, in interaction with contributions from human society, to human well-being. The concept underpins four major discussions: (1) Academic: the ecological versus the economic dimensions of the goods and services that flow from ecosystems to the human economy; the challenge of integrating concepts and models across this paradigmatic divide; (2) Social: the risks versus benefits of bringing the utilitarian argument into political debates about nature conservation (Are ecosystem services good or bad for biodiversity and vice versa?); (3) Policy and planning: how to value the benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services (Will this improve decision-making on topics ranging from poverty alleviation via subsidies to farmers to planning of grey with green infrastructure to combining economic growth with nature conservation?); and (4) Practice: Can revenue come from smart management and sustainable use of ecosystems? Are there markets to be discovered and can businesses be created? How do taxes figure in an ecosystem-based economy? The outcomes of these discussions will both help to shape policy and planning of economies at global, national, and regional scales and contribute to the long-term survival and well-being of humanity.

scholarly journals Science for the sustainable use of ecosystem services

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena M. Bennett ◽  
Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Service Science ◽  
Human Wellbeing ◽  
History Of ◽  
Value Of Nature

Sustainability is a key challenge for humanity in the 21st century. Ecosystem services—the benefits that people derive from nature and natural capital—is a concept often used to help explain human reliance on nature and frame the decisions we make in terms of the ongoing value of nature to human wellbeing. Yet ecosystem service science has not always lived up to the promise of its potential. Despite advances in the scientific literature, ecosystem service science has not yet answered some of the most critical questions posed by decision-makers in the realm of sustainability. Here, we explore the history of ecosystem service science, discuss advances in conceptualization and measurement, and point toward further work needed to improve the use of ecosystem service in decisions about sustainable development.

scholarly journals Natural capital and ecosystem services informing decisions: From promise to practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (24) ◽  
pp. 7348-7355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne D. Guerry ◽  
Stephen Polasky ◽  
Jane Lubchenco ◽  
Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer ◽  
Gretchen C. Daily ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Service Information ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Key Dimensions

The central challenge of the 21st century is to develop economic, social, and governance systems capable of ending poverty and achieving sustainable levels of population and consumption while securing the life-support systems underpinning current and future human well-being. Essential to meeting this challenge is the incorporation of natural capital and the ecosystem services it provides into decision-making. We explore progress and crucial gaps at this frontier, reflecting upon the 10 y since the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. We focus on three key dimensions of progress and ongoing challenges: raising awareness of the interdependence of ecosystems and human well-being, advancing the fundamental interdisciplinary science of ecosystem services, and implementing this science in decisions to restore natural capital and use it sustainably. Awareness of human dependence on nature is at an all-time high, the science of ecosystem services is rapidly advancing, and talk of natural capital is now common from governments to corporate boardrooms. However, successful implementation is still in early stages. We explore why ecosystem service information has yet to fundamentally change decision-making and suggest a path forward that emphasizes: (i) developing solid evidence linking decisions to impacts on natural capital and ecosystem services, and then to human well-being; (ii) working closely with leaders in government, business, and civil society to develop the knowledge, tools, and practices necessary to integrate natural capital and ecosystem services into everyday decision-making; and (iii) reforming institutions to change policy and practices to better align private short-term goals with societal long-term goals.

scholarly journals A State-of-the-Art Review of Marine Ecosystem Services in the Rías Baixas Natura 2000 Network (Galicia, NW Spain)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Tubío ◽  
Pablo Pita ◽  
Carlota Barañano ◽  
Sebastián Villasante
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Nw Spain ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Ecosystem Services ◽  
Rías Baixas

Humans are deeply connected to the oceans, who provide us vital ecosystem services (ES) (climate regulation, control of natural threats, wealth of its biodiversity, etc.), but the oceans are the first to suffer from human activity (climate change, destruction of ecosystems, overexploitation of marine resources, pollution, endangered species, etc.). Marine biodiversity is a fundamental natural capital in the generation of marine ecosystem services (MES), fundamental elements for the maintenance of human wellbeing. The objective of this article is to empirically demonstrate the role of marine ES in natural protected areas in Nature 2000 Rías Baixas (N2RB) (Galicia, NW Spain) in order to (1) to improve the knowledge on natural capital and ES associated to conserved coastal areas, (2) to analyze the contribution of these conserved coastal areas to the provision of sustainable business opportunities, and (3) to analyze if green-oriented policies can revert the current unsustainable exploitation model by providing real opportunities for business development. By creating an inventory, we gathered detailed information collected up to October 2020 of scientific literature, research projects, press releases, information on business initiatives and public policies regulations on ES and conservation of marine biodiversity in the N2RB (Cíes Islands and Island of Ons, including the Ons–O Grove Complex). Better protection of marine natural capital needs coordinated efforts among all sectors of government, business, and international institutions. It is a priority to generate a greater degree of social and business commitment that promotes the conservation of marine biodiversity, through the design of social and business participation strategies in the planning and use of ES in the N2RB areas.

Ecotoxicology and sustainable use of the planet

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 162-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Cairns
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Support System ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Life Support System ◽  
Natural Systems

The goal of sustainable use is indefinite use of the planet by humankind. This objective, in turn, requires that the planet’s ecological life support system, consisting of natural capital and ecosystem services, remains healthy for an indefinite period. Achieving sustainability will require a new view of the responsibilities of professionals, such as ecotoxicologists, to ensure a healthy ecological life support system. Because both human society and natural systems are complex and multivariate, a high degree of uncertainty will remain. Therefore, sound judgment will be needed in determining what, if any, precautionary measures should be taken until more robust information has been gathered. The role of ecotoxicologists in the quest for sustainable use of the planet is quite varied: 1) shifting goals and endpoints from an absence of harm to persuasive evidence of health; 2) increasing both temporal and spatial scales of ecotoxicological studies; 3) achieving a critical mass of qualified personnel; 4) including demographic change in ecotoxicological analysis and judgment; 5) developing new ecological thresholds; 6) being prepared for environmental surprises; 7) focusing on design for a quality environment; 8) developing ecosystem services as endpoints in ecotoxicological studies, and 9) being prepared for climate change and other events that might destabilize the biosphere and require major adjustments in the process of ecotoxicological testing. Both sustainable use of the planet and the field of ecotoxicology are rapidly developing fields that are mostly evolving in isolation from each other. To be successful, they must co-evolve.

scholarly journals Assessment of Public Awareness of the Forestry Sector: Biodiversity, Certification and Ecosystem Services in Velingrad Municipality

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
Ivan Tsvetkov ◽  
Ivan Atanassov ◽  
Krasimir Rusanov
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Forestry Sector ◽  
Biodiversity Preservation

The purpose of this study was to survey the current public awareness in Velingrad Municipality in terms of biodiversity preservation, certification and ecosystem services in the regional forestry sector. The answers to the questions related to the biodiversity and ecosystem services showed good aware- ness and a very positive attitude of respondents regarding the need for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity as well as the improvement of ecosystem services. According to the conducted surveys, the awareness concerning the certification and standards in the local forestry sector as well as the regional NATURA 2000 protected sites was still weak or lacking.

Impact Investment for Biodiversity Conservation: Cases from Latin America and the Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Studer
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Inclusive Development ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Local Livelihoods

AUTHORStuder, IsabelDATEJan 2021DOWNLOAD:English (0 downloads)DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0003025More than 30% of the earths available freshwater and almost 50% of the worlds tropical forests are found in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and possesses a vast array of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems. This unique source of capital -- natural capital -- generates important life-supporting benefits for people called ecosystem services. The term “natural capital” refers to the terrestrial and marine ecosystem components, including biodiversity, that contribute to the generation of valuable goods and services for humankind now and in the future. A shortfall in funding to protecting natures assets and biodiversity can be partially addressed through mobilization of private investment by supporting private actors that are sustainably leveraging natural capital, facilitating private investment in conservation and restoration projects, and fostering private innovation in sustainability solutions. This report characterizes and evaluates the performance of innovative finance approaches in LAC including blended finance, green bonds, payment for ecosystem services (PES), capital markets solutions, habitat banks, direct equity and pooled funds, and accelerators. As countries seek to reach their commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Paris Climate Accord, and Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15, innovative finance could become an essential complement to public finance and a catalyzer to achieve those commitments through the sustainable use of nature, while ensuring local livelihoods and a more inclusive development.

scholarly journals Capitalizing on nature: how to implement an ecosystem approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. Holt ◽  
Caroline Hattam
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Environmental Management ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

The Natural Capital Initiative ( www.naturalcapitalinitiative.org.uk ) held its first conference ‘Valuing our life support systems’ at Savoy Place, London, from 29 April to 1 May 2009. The aim of the conference was to discuss different perspectives on, and solutions to, the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services. It particularly focused on the link between the environment and the economy, and how to implement an ecosystem approach to environmental management. This event brought together scientists across the natural and social sciences, alongside representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, business and industry.

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