Valuation of Forest Ecosystem Services in Taiwan

Forest is the largest ecosystem in the land area of Taiwan. In the past, most of the studies on the evaluation of forest ecosystem services were regional, and therefore lacked national assessment. This study uses a market value method and a benefit transfer method to assess the value of the forest ecosystem services in Taiwan, and expounds the link between ecosystem services and the effectiveness of forestry management and conservation. Preliminarily, it is estimated that the total value of forest ecosystem services in 2016 was approximately NT $749,278 million (equal to approximately 47.6 billion U.S. dollars, PPP-corrected), accounting for 4.28% of the GDP in 2016. The quotation of unit price data has a huge impact on the final assessment results of forest ecosystem service value, and therefore it is necessary use it appropriately.

A fuzzy logic-based approach for evaluating forest ecosystem service provision and biodiversity applied to a case study landscape in Southern Germany

In the field of assessing forest ecosystem service provision and biodiversity, there seems to be a gap between an existing large body of valuable expert knowledge and its application. We propose fuzzy logic evaluation systems as a contribution to closing that gap. With this method-focused pilot study, we explored the potential of fuzzy logic for assessing the provision of different ecosystem services in a simulation case study, covering a large forest landscape in Southern Germany. Based on expert knowledge and available literature, we designed a fuzzy logic evaluation system for biodiversity, and the ecosystem services balanced wood production, storm and bark beetle damage resistance, and recreation value. This evaluation system was applied to 100-year simulation outcomes for three contrasting forest management scenarios in the landscape of interest. While the results of the case study in general support the idea of a multifunctional forest management, fuzzy logic turned out pronouncedly useful as a method. This is due to its potential to make otherwise unused expert knowledge applicable and transparent in a formal evaluation process. Based on our results, we discuss the approach related to its potential for interdisciplinary integration of knowledge, for revealing tradeoffs and synergies, and participative planning processes.

Socio-economic evaluations of nature protected areas: health first effect

The importance of protected areas rich in forest ecosystems rapidly grows. Forests in parks become recreation centres for cities near protected areas having strong health function. Thus, also Medvednica Nature Park near Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is frequently used as lungs of the city. The research presented in this article aims to valorise the health function of the Forest Ecosystem Service (FES) in the Nature Park and develop the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) methodology to be used for the assessment of the introduction of the entrance fee payment for the Park. The article provides a methodological framework for validation of health function of the forest ecosystem of the Medvednica Nature Park. It also brings a socio-economic assessment of the health function of the forests in the Park. The measurement results and assessments emphasize the need to raise public awareness of health benefits of FES and FES in general.

Factors and Paths Affecting Payment for Forest Ecosystem Service: Evidence from Voluntary Forest Carbon Market in South Korea

This study aims to identify factors and paths affecting payment for forest ecosystem service based on evidence from the voluntary forest carbon market in South Korea. The study was built based on the theory of planned behavior and institutional theory. The survey was conducted to 24 private forest owners, 21 workers of local governments, 9 of public institutes, and 6 of private companies. Partial least squares structural equation model was applied to verify the hypothetical structural model displaying the effects among the constructs of subjects’ recognition, intention, and behavior in participating in the forest carbon offset project. Results showed that raising awareness of forest carbon offset (FCO) is essential for revitalizing the forest carbon market. In addition, it was found that forest managers’ expectations for FCO were practical operations. Moreover, with the presence of intent to participate in the FCO, the FCO market could be revitalized only by increasing the intention of use in the management aspect and by increasing the commitment of the owner and CEO to this project. The detailed theoretical and managerial implications based on the findings are discussed in the paper.