Mapping Ecosystem Services’ Values: Current Practice and Future Prospects

Jan Philipp JSchägner, Luke Brander, Joachim Maes and Volkmar Hartje
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Jan Philipp JSchägner: Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission, Italy
Luke Brander: Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University Amsterdam,The Netherlands
Joachim Maes: Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission, Italy
Volkmar Hartje: Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, Germany

No 2012.59, Working Papers from Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei

Abstract: Mapping of ecosystem services’ (ESS) values means valuing ESS in monetary terms across a relatively large geographical area and assessing how values vary across space. Thereby, mapping of ESS values reveals additional information as compared to traditional site-specific ESS valuation, which is beneficial for designing land use policies for maintaining ESS supply. Since the well-known article by Costanza et al. (1997), who mapped global ESS values, the number of publications mapping ESS values has grown exponentially, with almost 60% being published after 2007. Within this paper, we analyse and review articles that map ESS values. Our findings show that methodologies, in particular how spatial variations of ESS values are estimated, their spatial scope, rational and ESS focus differ widely. Still, most case studies rely on relatively simplistic approaches using land use/cover data as a proxy for ESS supply and its values. However, a tendency exists towards more sophisticated methodologies using ESS models and value functions, which integrate a variety of spatial variables and which are validated against primary data. Based on our findings, we identify current practices and developments in the mapping of ESS values and provide guidelines and recommendations for future applications and research.

Keywords: Ecosystem Service Assessment; Ecosystem Service Mapping; Ecosystem Service Valuation; Ecosystem Service Modelling; Value Transfer; Land use Policy Assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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