"Notes from the field: Lessons learned from using ecosystem service app" by Mary Ruckelshaus, Emily McKenzie et al.

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

Title

Notes from the field: Lessons learned from using ecosystem service approaches to inform real-world decisions

Authors

Mary Ruckelshaus, Stanford University
Emily McKenzie, Conservation Science Program
Heather Tallis, Nature Conservancy
Anne Guerry, Stanford University
Gretchen Daily, Stanford University
Peter Kareiva, Nature Conservancy
Stephen Polasky, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Taylor Ricketts, University of Vermont
Nirmal Bhagabati, Conservation Science Program
Spencer A. Wood, Stanford University
Joanna Bernhardt, The University of British Columbia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2015

Abstract

While there have been rapid advances in assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES), a critical remaining challenge is how to move from scientific knowledge to real-world decision making. We offer 6 lessons from our experiences applying new approaches and tools for quantifying BES in 20 pilot demonstrations: (1) Applying a BES approach is most effective in leading to policy change as part of an iterative science-policy process; (2) simple ecological production function models have been useful in a diverse set of decision contexts, across a broad range of biophysical, social, and governance systems. Key limitations of simple models arise at very small scales, and in predicting specific future BES values; (3) training local experts in the approaches and tools is important for building local capacity, ownership, trust, and long-term success; (4) decision makers and stakeholders prefer to use a variety of BES value metrics, not only monetary values; (5) an important science gap exists in linking changes in BES to changes in livelihoods, health, cultural values, and other metrics of human wellbeing; and (6) communicating uncertainty in useful and transparent ways remains challenging.

Rights Information

Recommended Citation

Ruckelshaus M, McKenzie E, Tallis H, Guerry A, Daily G, Kareiva P, Polasky S, Ricketts T, Bhagabati N, Wood SA, Bernhardt J. Notes from the field: lessons learned from using ecosystem service approaches to inform real-world decisions. Ecological Economics. 2015 Jul 1;115:11-21.