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Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 27635

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Prof. Dr. Sandra Notaro

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Guest Editor

Department of Economics and Management, University of Trento, Via Inama, 5, 38122 Trento, Italy
Interests: non-market valuation; discrete choice experiments; contingent valuation; forest; ecosystem services; recreation

Dr. Maria De Salvo

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 100, 95131 Catania, Italy
Interests: non-market valuation; assessment of ecosystem services; climate change impact assessment; risk analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has gained global attention both in scientific studies and in policy-makers’ agenda after the publication of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) in 2005. In line with the MEA, the assessment of ES has become of crucial importance for the effective integration between conservation and development policies, and for the implementation of green accounting at local, national, and regional level.

There are multiple ways and tools to measure ES. ES assessment can be performed using biophysical, social or economic (market or non-market) methods. Each method provides a different set of answers and is, at the same time, complementary to the others. Biophysical assessment, for instance, helps to understand the functioning of an ecosystem and importance of different species, habitats, and types of land cover in supplying ecosystem services. Economic and social assessment, by contrast, reveals the direct benefits to society and thus can support decision making on certain land use projects that have an impact on different stakeholders and groups. Translating benefits of ES into monetary terms creates a compelling incentive for local communities, businesses, and decision- and policy-makers to preserve the natural capital and wellbeing for current and future generations.

With this Special Issue, we want to promote an updated picture of the current state of ecosystems services’ assessment, covering all—provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural—categories of services provided by natural and seminatural (agricultural) capital.

We encourage the submission of studies from all scientific fields embracing any assessment tools, theoretical and methodological contributions, reviews and case studies from different regions of the world, to promote advancement of scientific knowledge on ES and awareness of information.

Prof. Dr. Sandra Notaro
Prof. Dr. Maria De Salvo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Biophysical assessment of ecosystem services
Models and tools for ecosystem assessment
Mapping of ecosystem services
Economic valuation of ecosystem services
Payment for ecosystem services
Indicators for ecosystem services
Stakeholders’ preferences and opinions on ecosystem services
Traditional knowledge about ecosystem services
Landscape planning and ecosystem services provision
Ecosystem services provided by natural and seminatural systems
Ecosystem services in protected areas
Multifunctional landscape design
Green infrastructures and ecosystem services

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3928 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Areas and Climate Change Adaptation in a Urban Environment: The Case Study of “Le Vallere” Park (Turin, Italy)

by Francesco Busca and Roberto Revelli

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8091; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14138091 - 01 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2434

Abstract

The balance governing the exploitation of resources on Earth is nowadays undermined by different accelerating processes, as population growth, pollution increase and, above all, climate change: the consequences on human well-being and on natural ecosystems health is incontrovertible. Hence, there is the need to undertake mitigation actions aimed at slowing down the uncontrolled development of negative effects. Within this work, the goal is to analyze the role of urban green infrastructures in the complex panorama of the climate change fight, through the ability to restore ecological functions. A quantification study of the Ecosystem Services (ES) offered by “Le Vallere” Park, a green area of about 340 thousand square meters in the Turin metropolitan area (North Italy), was conducted. The project combines the complex ES theme of urban adaptation to climate change, through i-Tree, a software suite born to evaluate the benefits provided by vegetation. Particularly, through i-Tree Hydro, the quantity and quality of runoff rainwater are analyzed considering the comparison between different scenarios: we analyze a present case (2019) and future cases (2071–2100), with reference to climate projections for Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 scenario (considering climate change mitigation actions) and RCP 8.5 scenario (no actions) of the COSMO-CLM regional climate model, produced by the Euro-Mediterranean Center for Climate Change (CMCC). The discussion focuses on comparing the results obtained in the different scenarios, deepening the role of a medium-sized urban green infrastructure on the surrounding environment as the climate and vegetative conditions vary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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15 pages, 925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating Willingness to Pay for Alpine Pastures: A Discrete Choice Experiment Accounting for Attribute Non-Attendance

by Sandra Notaro, Maria De Salvo and Roberta Raffaelli

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 4093; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14074093 - 30 Mar 2022

Viewed by 1408

Abstract

Alpine pastures generate important ecosystem services, some closely related to the environment, others to historical and cultural aspects. The economic valuation of these services helps their recognition in public policies, thus encouraging their conservation and improvement. Discrete Choice Experiments are particularly useful in estimating ecosystem services as they allow the evaluation of each individual ecosystem service, allowing for policy modulation. However, preferences and willingness to pay may be influenced by some heuristics that respondents adopt when making their choices. The present study contributes to the Attribute-Non-Attendance (ANA) literature by analyzing the effect of serial ANA on WTP for the improvement of the ecosystem services of an Alpine pasture, the Entrelor pasture located in Val d’Aosta (North-West Italy). The novelty of this study is that we investigated ANA by asking a first group of respondents which attributes were ignored during choices, and a second group which attributes they considered. Our results show that considering ANA matters in DCE. In particular, framing the question positively (which attributes were attended) yields differences in marginal WTPs that are significantly and systematically higher for all the attributes. Conversely, with negative framing, differences in marginal WTP seem to be insignificant and unstable both in terms of magnitude and sign. Moreover, positively framing the ANA question can be more informative, as ANA appears more frequently. These results suggest that respondents probably do not feel judged for not having adopted the expected degree of attention with a positively framed ANA question. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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16 pages, 1338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Recreational Activities Choice in Protected Areas

by Cristiano Franceschinis, Joffre Swait, Akshay Vij and Mara Thiene

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 412; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14010412 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2348

Abstract

Conciliating nature conservation and tourism development is an increasingly important task for authorities in charge of managing protected areas and requires an adequate knowledge of visitors′ preferences and recreational behavior. In this light, we used data collected by means of a choice experiment to investigate recreational preferences at Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, a protected area located in Northeastern Italy. More specifically, we analyzed the determinants of visitors’ decisions to engage with different activities in the park. This is important information for park managers, as different recreational activities have both different impact on the natural heritage and different capability to generate revenue for nature conservation and for enhancing the quality of life of local communities. The findings of our study suggest that the choice of recreational activities is mainly driven by the features of recreational sites and by visitors’ personal characteristics. Concerning park features, visitors’ choices seem to be mostly driven by features directly related to each activity, such as thematic trails for hiking and climbing routes for rock climbing. Among visitors′ characteristics, we found that both previous experience with the activity and socio-demographic characteristics had a significant effect on activity choice. Overall, the results of our study can help park authorities in developing management plans aimed specifically at attracting a larger number of visitors of a certain type, which is an important tool to foster the more sustainable forms of tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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16 pages, 734 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Moral Foundations and Willingness to Pay for Non-Wood Forest Products: A Study in Three European Countries

by Viola Di Cori, Cristiano Franceschinis, Nicolas Robert, Davide Matteo Pettenella and Mara Thiene

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13445; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313445 - 04 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1982

Abstract

Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) provide social and cultural services related to e.g., the tradition and social role of collecting berries, mushrooms and herbs. These services can be ranked among intangible outputs as a part of the recreational function of forests. However, their social value is only partially captured in non-forest activities. We used a Choice Experiment to explore individuals’ preferences towards NWFPs and associated services in Italy, Sweden, and Czechia. We estimated the individual marginal willingness to pay for the supply and maintenance of NWFPs. In addition, we analysed the determinants of people’s choices using the framework of the Moral Foundations Theory (MFT). The results show that people collect NWFPs mostly for self-consumption and recreation, rather than for livelihood or to sell them on the market. Despite this, they are willing to pay for sustainable forest management practices that favour NWFPs supply, as well as for forest conservation. Additionally, Care and Fairness traits in the MFT determine people’s willingness to pay for NWFPs. The results from this study highlight the value of the social component of non-wood forests products and the expenses related to picking. This is a first step towards a value chain analysis of the NWFPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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19 pages, 1104 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Protecting the Local Landscape or Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions? A Study on Social Acceptance and Preferences towards the Installation of a Wind Farm

by Maria De Salvo, Sandra Notaro, Giuseppe Cucuzza, Laura Giuffrida and Giovanni Signorello

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12755; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132212755 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1733

Abstract

We conducted a contingent valuation survey to estimate the social acceptance and preferences of a local community towards the installation of a wind farm in a countryside area presenting significant aesthetic, cultural, and identity place attributes. We focused on two opposite potential externalities caused by wind turbines. The first relates to the contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission through the production of green energy. The second concerns the degradation of rural landscape assets. In the sample, we identified factors for or against the installation of the wind farm. People in favor of the wind farm were asked to state their willingness to pay for reducing the effect of global warming by purchasing electricity produced by wind turbines. People against it were solicited to declare their willingness to pay to avoid landscape loss. Welfare measures were elicited using a payment card elicitation format and quantified through different estimation models. An analysis of data revealed high heterogeneity in attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of citizens towards the two potentially competing environmental goods. The willingness to pay for reducing the effect of global warming was much higher than the willingness to pay for avoiding the loss of the rural landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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15 pages, 814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Model for the Economic Evaluation of Cultural Ecosystem Services: The Recreational Hunting Function in the Agroforestry Territories of Tuscany (Italy)

by Claudio Fagarazzi, Carlotta Sergiacomi, Federico M. Stefanini and Enrico Marone

Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11229; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132011229 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2271

Abstract

Cultural ecosystem services (CESs) are non-material benefits generated by natural and human ecosystems that substantially contribute to human wellbeing. Estimating the monetary value of CESs is challenging because there is no real market for these services and therefore there is no actual market price. This study seeks to define an economic evaluation method for these services, with special reference to a recreational CES that has so far received little discussion: hunting. We conducted an online survey in the province of Siena (Tuscany, Italy). The Consumer Surplus estimate of hunters was made using the travel-cost method with a detailed analysis of the annual expenditure on hunting activities, and a negative binomial statistical regression. The results reflect the nature of hunting activity and show the dynamics that have occurred over recent decades. In fact, whereas hunting used to be strongly connected to the rural world as it was an income supplement for local communities, nowadays it has turned into an elitist and almost exclusively recreational activity. In any case, knowing the economic value of ecosystem services constitutes an essential background for planning effective land management and development policies in the short and long term. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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13 pages, 377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Music Affect Visitors’ Choices for the Management and Conservation of Ecosystem Services?

by Sandra Notaro and Maria De Salvo

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10418; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131810418 - 18 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

Psychological research has long demonstrated that preferences can be influenced by stimuli coming from the environment. Music, as an external stimulus influencing people behaviours, purchasing processes and spending, has been widely analysed in consumer behaviour and marketing literature. Here, we focus on the effect of music genres on preferences and willingness to pay for selected ecosystem services of a Nature Park when they are elicited with a Discrete Choice Experiment. This aspect is important in non-market valuation because music can represent an element of context-dependence for the assessment of individual choices, so that the assumption of preference stability does not hold, and welfare estimates may be biased. The results of a generalized mixed logit model evidenced a significant effect of music on preferences. If elicited preferences depend on the context on which the survey is implemented, wrong information to decision makers is provided when the choice context is altered by an uncontrolled external stimulus. This result is particularly important for applied researchers and policy makers. First, the use of protocols and guidelines that instruct respondents about the ambient background when answering a questionnaire is highly recommended, particularly for online surveys. Second, specific genres of music should be used in educational and ecosystem services conservation campaigns and also piped in visitor centres and virtual tours to encourage nature conservation and improve visitors’ sensitiveness for the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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19 pages, 3003 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attitudes and Preferences towards Soil-Based Ecosystem Services: How Do They Vary across Space?

by Luisa Fernanda Eusse-Villa, Cristiano Franceschinis, Mara Thiene, Jürgen Meyerhoff, Alex McBratney and Damien Field

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8722; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13168722 - 04 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2426

Abstract

Soil ecosystem services (ES) provide multiple benefits to human well-being, but the failure to appreciate them has led to soil degradation issues across the globe. Despite an increasing interest in the threats to soil resources, economic valuation in this context is limited. Importantly, most of the existing valuation studies do not account for the spatial distribution of benefits that soil ES provide to the population. In this study, we present the results of a choice experiment (CE) aimed at investigating spatial heterogeneity of attitudes and preferences towards soil conservation and soil ES. We explored spatial heterogeneity of both attitudes and welfare measures via GIS techniques. We found that citizens of the Veneto Region (Northeast Italy) generally have positive attitudes towards soil conservation. We also find positive willingness-to-pay (WTP) values for soil ES in most of the study area and a considerable degree of heterogeneity in the spatial taste distribution. Finally, our results suggest that respondents with pro-environmental attitudes display a higher WTP based on the geographic pattern of the distribution of WTP values and attitudinal scores across the area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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20 pages, 2212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biophysical Accounting of Forests’ Value under Different Management Regimes: Conservation vs. Exploitation

by Paolo Vassallo, Claudia Turcato, Ilaria Rigo, Claudia Scopesi, Andrea Costa, Matteo Barcella, Giulia Dapueto, Mauro Mariotti and Chiara Paoli

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4638; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13094638 - 21 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1780

Abstract

Forest ecosystems are important providers of ecosystem functions and services belonging to four categories: supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services. Forest management, generally focused on timber production, has consequences on the ability of the system to keep providing services. Silviculture, in fact, may affect the ecological structures and processes from which services arise. In particular, the removal of biomass causes a radical change in the stocks and flows of energy characterizing the system. Aiming at the assessment of differences in stored natural capital and ecosystem functions and services provision, three differently managed temperate forests of common beech (Fagus sylvatica) were considered: (1) a forest in semi-natural condition, (2) a forest carefully managed to get timber in a sustainable way and (3) a forest exploited without management. Natural capital and ecosystem functions and services are here accounted in biophysical terms. Specifically, all the resources used up to create the biomass (stock) and maintain the production (flow) of the different components of the forest system were calculated. Both stored emergy and empower decrease with increasing human pressure on the forest, resulting in a loss of natural capital and a diminished ability of the natural system to contribute to human well-being in terms of ecosystem services provision. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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13 pages, 1114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation and Prediction of Ecosystem Service Value in the Zhoushan Islands Based on LUCC

by Henghui Xi, Wanglai Cui, Li Cai, Mengyuan Chen and Chenglei Xu

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2302; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13042302 - 20 Feb 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2592

Abstract

Islands are the confluence of terrestrial ecology and marine ecology. With urban expansion and economic development, the ecological environment of islands is facing serious threats. In order to study the island area land use change/cover (LUCC) and its impact on the ecosystem service value (ESV), this study was conducted. This study evaluated the ESV of Zhoushan Islands based on the LUCC, using the equivalent coefficient method, and simulated and analyzed the ESV of Zhoushan Islands in 2025 under different scenarios using the "Future Land Use Simulation Model". The results showed: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the ESV of Zhoushan Islands showed a "∧" type change trend, and the total amount decreased by 14.1141 million yuan. (2) The spatial distribution and changes of ESV have a certain regularity. The ESV in the center of the island and in the water system area is relatively high but does not change significantly over time, while the ESV of urban buildings and cultivated areas on the edge of the island is low, and, over time, the change is significant. (3) Compared with 2020, the total ESV under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario shows a slow downward trend, the ESV under the socio-economic development (SED) scenario shows a significant downward trend, and the total ESV under the ecological protection priority (EPP) scenario has increased. This research provides a theoretical basis and support for the development and utilization of island space and the improvement of "eco-economy-society" benefits; in addition, the research results provide support for scientific decision-making on the sustainable use of resources in island areas (island cities) and the sustainable management of ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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29 pages, 2155 KiB

Open AccessReview

Synthesis of Two Decades of US EPA’s Ecosystem Services Research to Inform Environmental, Community and Sustainability Decision Making

by Matthew C. Harwell and Chloe A. Jackson

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8249; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13158249 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2545

Abstract

A conceptual framework is helpful to understand what types of ecosystem services (ES) information is needed to support decision making. Principles of structured decision making are helpful for articulating how ES consideration can influence different elements in a given decision context resulting in changes to the environment, human health, and well-being. This article presents a holistic view of an ES framework, summarizing two decades of the US EPA’s ES research, including recent advances in final ES, those ES that provide benefits directly to people. Approximately 150 peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and book chapters characterize a large ES research portfolio. In introducing framework elements and the suite of relevant US EPA research for each element, both challenges and opportunities are identified. Lessons from research to advance each of the final ES elements can be useful for identifying gaps and future science needs. Ultimately, the goal of this article is to help the reader develop an operational understanding of the final ES conceptual framework, an understanding of the state of science for a number of ES elements, and an introduction to some ES tools, models, and frameworks that may be of use in their case-study applications or decision-making contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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20 pages, 772 KiB

Open AccessHypothesis

Two Sides of the Same Coin: A Theoretical Framework for Strong Sustainability in Marine Protected Areas

by Chiara Paoli, Paolo Povero, Ilaria Rigo, Giulia Dapueto, Rachele Bordoni and Paolo Vassallo

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6332; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14106332 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1867

Abstract

In 2014, the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Protection of the Territory and the Sea (MATTM) launched the “Environmental Accounting in the Marine Protected Areas” (EAMPA) project, which proposed a new accounting model for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The model foresaw the integration of ecological and economic components in classical accounting schemes through the quantification of stock and flows embracing both the perspectives. The project, which ended in 2019, allowed the testing and the realization of the multidisciplinary framework. Later, in the context of the EU Interreg “Integrated management of ecological networks through parks and marine areas” (GIREPAM) project, an upgraded version of the EAMPA framework was developed, including additional but fundamental components leading to a more detailed and complete assessment as well as a better theoretical definition. The definitive management framework is outlined through the creation of the two parallel paths, but it provides as a final result three balances from the strong sustainability perspective: ecocentric, anthropocentric and integrated. To ensure that sustainability is obtained, all the three balances must guarantee a positive net benefit for humans and nature alike. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing and Valuing Ecosystem Services)

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