Journal ArticleDOI
The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital
Robert Costanza,Rudolf de Groot,Stephen Farberk,Monica Grasso,Bruce Hannon,Karin E. Limburg,Shahid Naeem,José M. Paruelo,Robert Raskin,Paul Suttonkk,Marjan van den Belt +10 more
TLDR
In this paper, the authors have estimated the current economic value of 17 ecosystem services for 16 biomes, based on published studies and a few original calculations, for the entire biosphere, the value (most of which is outside the market) is estimated to be in the range of US$16-54 trillion (10^(12)) per year, with an average of US $33 trillion per year.Abstract:
The services of ecological systems and the natural capital stocks that produce them are critical to the functioning of the Earth's life-support system. They contribute to human welfare, both directly and indirectly, and therefore represent part of the total economic value of the planet. We have estimated the current economic value of 17 ecosystem services for 16 biomes, based on published studies and a few original calculations. For the entire biosphere, the value (most of which is outside the market) is estimated to be in the range of US$16-54 trillion (10^(12)) per year, with an average of US$33 trillion per year. Because of the nature of the uncertainties, this must be considered a minimum estimate. Global gross national product total is around US$18 trillion per year.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
A Framework for Improved Monitoring of Biodiversity: Responses to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Rhys E. Green,Rhys E. Green,Andrew Balmford,Peter R. Crane,Georgina M. Mace,John D. Reynolds,R. Kerry Turner +6 more
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a framework for measuring changes in biodiversity that are relevant to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).
Journal ArticleDOI
Human Dimensions of Coral Reef Social-Ecological Systems
TL;DR: In this paper, a human dimensions framework for coral reef SESs is presented, which explores the linkages between social system structural traits, human activities, ecosystem services, and human well-being.
Journal ArticleDOI
Economics and adoption of conservation biological control
TL;DR: This paper discusses how to complete an economic assessment of CBC and examines the factors that may influence uptake of CBC amongst farmers and what policies or strategies might be introduced to increase the incentive to adopt CBC.
Book ChapterDOI
Zostera: Biology, Ecology, and Management
TL;DR: The nine species comprising the genus Zostera discussed in this chapter form a widespread and relatively well-studied group of seagrasses, with PAM fluorometry assessments of photosynthesis and genetic investigations among the newer efforts.
Journal ArticleDOI
Increasing forest loss worldwide from invasive pests requires new trade regulations
Bitty A. Roy,Helen M. Alexander,Jennifer Davidson,Faith T Campbell,Jeremy J. Burdon,Richard Sniezko,Clive Brasier +6 more
TL;DR: It is shown that the number of forest pest invasions recorded for a given country has a significant positive relationship with trade (as indicated by gross domestic product) and is not associated with the amount of forested land within that country.
References
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Book
Using surveys to value public goods : the contingent valuation method
TL;DR: Mitchell and Carson as discussed by the authors argue that at this time the contingent valuation (CV) method offers the most promising approach for determining public willingness to pay for many public goods, an approach likely to succeed, if used carefully, where other methods may fail.
Journal ArticleDOI
Nature's services: societal dependence on natural ecosystems.
TL;DR: Nature's Services brings together world-renowned scientists from a variety of disciplines to examine the character and value of ecosystem services, the damage that has been done to them, and the consequent implications for human society.
Book
For The Common Good: Redirecting The Economy Towards Community, The Environment And A Sustainable Future
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the scale of human activity in the biosphere has grown too large and that change is needed in the approach to economic activity: "correction and expansion a more empirical and historical attitude less pretense on being science and willingness to subordinate the market to purposes that it is not geared to determine."
Journal ArticleDOI
Primary production required to sustain global fisheries
Daniel Pauly,Villy Christensen +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the mean of reported annual world fisheries catches for 1988-1991 (94.3 million t) was split into 39 species groups, to which fractional trophic levels, ranging from 1.0 (edible algae) to 4.2 (tunas), were assigned, based on 48 published Trophic models, providing a global coverage of six major aquatic ecosystem types.
Journal ArticleDOI
Natural Capital and Sustainable Development
Robert Costanza,Herman E. Daly +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a minimum necessary condition for sustainability is the maintenance of the total natural capital stock at or above the current level, to be relaxed only when solid evidence can be offered that it is safe to do so.