Presentation 5.5: Ecosystem Services

Outline Defining Ecosystem Services Key Ecosystem Services Provided by Forests Ecosystem Markets and Payments for Ecosystem Services: Putting a Price on Natural Assets Communicating Natures Benefits and Values to the Public

Section 1: Defining Ecosystem Services

Outline Introduction A Brief History Common Defitions The End Product is What Matters: An Economists Perspective The Process Also Matters: An Ecologists Perspective Summary

Introduction Provide services critical to human well-being Benefits provided to humans Produce goods we purchase Produce goods we consciously consume

History Earliest record 400 B.C. Field of ecosystem ecology emerged in 1940s Term ecosystem services started late 1970s Understand different perspectives

Common Definitions The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment – Provisioning Services – Regulating Services – Cultural Services – Supporting Services

The End Product Is What Matters: An Economists Perspective Developing approaches – Counting – Measuring – Assigning monetary values Emphasize the end/final product

The Process Also Matters: An Ecologists Perspective Wide range of conditions Processes which ecosystems help sustain life Intermediate Functions End Product

Summary Ecosystem services can have different meanings Benefits ecosystems provide – Goods we purchase Food and Fuel – Free Services Waste decomposition and crop pollination

Section 2: Key Ecosystem Services Provided by Forests

Outline Introduction Provisioning Services Regulating Services Cultural Services Aspects to Keep in Mind Ecosystem Services and Disservices Summary

Introduction Ecosystems provide services that benefit – People – Communities – Business – Contribute to our well-being

Ecosystem Services of Southern Forests Provisioning Services Regulating Services Cultural Services

Provisioning Services Timber Bioenergy Nontimber forest products – Edible and culinary food – Arts and crafts – Medicine and dietary supplements – Floral and decorative – Landscape Clean Water

Regulating Services Reduced Flooding and Erosion Air Quality Climate Regulation

Cultural Services Aesthetic, spiritual, and religious beliefs Recreation

Aspects to Keep in Mind Scale Interrelationships Double counting

Aspects to Keep in Mind Economic Value Different types of values

Aspects to Keep in Mind Trade-offs Co-benefits

Ecosystem Services and Disservices in the Wildland- Urban Interface Ecosystem Disservices

Summary

Section 3: Ecosystem Markets and Payments for Ecosystem Services: Putting a Price on Natural Assets

Outline Introduction Ecosystem Service Valuation Types of Ecosystem Markets and Payments for Ecosystem Services Current Outlook Summary

Introduction Ecosystems provide essential benefits to society through tangible products with clear market prices

Ecosystem Service Valuation Determining value Market Development

Types of Ecosystem Markets and Payments for Ecosystem Services Payment – Voluntary Markets – Compliance Markets – Public Payments – Voluntary Private Payments

Types of Ecosystem Markets and Payments for Ecosystem Services Commodity – Carbon – Water – Biodiversity Bundled Ecosystem Services

Current Outlook

Summary

Section 3: Communicating Natures Benefits and Values to the Public

Outline Introduction Natures Benefits Natures Value Communication Approaches Summary

Introduction Increase public understanding/support Natures Benefits Natures Value Communication Approaches

Natures Benefits Talk about natures benefits or natures value Encourage people to think broadly about the benefits of nature Focus on public health and safety as top benefits

Natures Benefits Remind people of natures role in providing materials for medicines Highlight the benefits of nature for providing food

Natures Value Acknowledge the unquantifiable value of nature Clarify the value of conservation Highlight non-monetary ways of measuring natures value

Communication Approaches Framing the Subject

Communication Approaches Messengers and the Audience

Summary Challenging to communicate ecosystem concepts Resource professionals communicate information effectively is key Important that audience understands

Credits