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Journal ArticleDOI

The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital

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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.

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Journal ArticleDOI

Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges

TL;DR: This article explores the special features of freshwater habitats and the biodiversity they support that makes them especially vulnerable to human activities and advocates continuing attempts to check species loss but urges adoption of a compromise position of management for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem functioning and resilience, and human livelihoods.
Journal ArticleDOI

A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and services

TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual framework and typology for describing, classifying and valuing ecosystem functions, goods and services in a clear and consistent manner is presented. And a classification is given for the fullest possible range of 23 ecosystem functions.
Journal ArticleDOI

Changes in the global value of ecosystem services

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provided an updated estimate based on updated unit ecosystem service values and land use change estimates between 1997 and 2011, using the same methods as in the 1997 paper but with updated data, the estimate for the total global ecosystem services in 2011 is $125 trillion/yr (assuming updated unit values and changes to biome areas).
References
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Book ChapterDOI

Wetland Conservation: Economics and Ethics

TL;DR: In the absence of an unambiguous measure for welfare, the integration of environmental criteria into the conventional planning and decision-making processes has proved to be a somewhat intractable politico-economic problem as mentioned in this paper.
Book ChapterDOI

Dealing with the “Mixed Units” Problem in Ecosystem Network Analysis

TL;DR: Barber et al. as mentioned in this paper defined the field of ecology as the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment, and applied the concepts of flow analysis to the analysis of interconnections in ecosystems.
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