Application of the Ecosystem Service Concept in Social–Ecological Systems—from Theory to Practice

Johannes Rüdisser, Georg Leitinger and Uta Schirpke
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Johannes Rüdisser: Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Georg Leitinger: Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Uta Schirpke: Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-6

Abstract: Ecological footprint analyses demonstrate that the world’s more than 7.5 billion people consume multiple planets’ worth of resources. To incite and evaluate societal changes for the sustainable use of the environment and its natural resources, the ecosystem service (ES) concept was developed more than 20 years ago. To ensure the sustainable provision of indispensable ES, the concept has been refined and enhanced, enabling its application across various temporal and spatial scales. However, evidence-based strategies and policies are needed to preserve biodiversity and natural capital in our changing world. This Special Issue comprises studies advancing the frameworks, concepts, and applications related to ES assessment, with a particular focus on social–ecological systems. To broadly apply the ES concept in different social–ecological systems, several key issues emerged: (1) ES-related definitions and procedures should be improved and standardized; (2) the complexity of the interactions in a social–ecological system must be recognized, and knowledge about spatial and temporal dynamics and interactions among multiple ESs must be deepened; and (3) communication about ES, considering cultural and stakeholder differences, must be increased.

Keywords: sustainability; spatial dynamics; communication; special issue; natural capital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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