Difference between revisions of "Ecosystem Services Valuation"

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}} The Natural Capital Project (NCP) is a non-profit venture startedin 2006 between Stanford University, the University of Minnesota, The NatureConservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. Put in simple terms, NCP strives toquantify the values of “natural capital,” or ecosystem services provided free bynature. Such natural capital or ecosystem services include water purification,storm buffering, and regulating our climate through carbon sequestration. NCPtries to answer an extremely difficult question: “What is nature worth?”
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}} The Natural Capital Project (NCP) is a non-profit venture started in 2006 between Stanford University, the University of Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. Put in simple terms, NCP strives to quantify the values of “natural capital,” or ecosystem services provided free by nature. Such natural capital or ecosystem services include water purification,storm buffering, and regulating our climate through carbon sequestration. NCP tries to answer an extremely difficult question: “What is nature worth?”
  
The idea of natural capital is poorly understood, so thistrailblazing venture created tools with the intention to answer the questionabove by integrating the scientific and economic understanding of naturalassets. NCP also engages with leaders and experts from many different sectorsacross the globe. Named one of Forbes “Names You Need To Know” in 2011, NCPcreated a tool called Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services andTradeoffs, or InVEST. The goal of NCP is to present results to environmental decisionmakers regarding multiple land use planning and investment alternatives.Multiple use conflicts and competing interests can often delay or complicatemanagement decisions, so NCP presents the trade-offs for competing choices. Bypresenting different scenarios of land use or policy decisions, and therebydifferent results of gains or losses in ecosystem services, NCP hopes to fosterthe balance between economics and conservation.
 
  
InVEST is a set of openly available tools for use with theGeographic Information System software ArcGIS, and involves multiple modelsthat quantify, map and value ecosystem services. Such models include but arenot limited to: coastal vulnerability, marine habitat risk assessment, carbonstorage and sequestration, and crop pollination. Each of these models allow foran estimation of changes in services under different climate and managementscenarios, along with the capability to consider trade-offs among the differentscenarios. InVEST takes an ecological production function approach where keyinputs are connected to an estimation of the production of outputs. Forexample, inputs such as labor or habitat can be used to estimate the output offish yield, if focusing on food yield from fisheries.  
+
The idea of natural capital is poorly understood, so this trailblazing venture created tools with the intention to answer the question above by integrating the scientific and economic understanding of natural assets. NCP also engages with leaders and experts from many different sectors across the globe. Named one of [http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2010/10/29/name-you-need-to-know-natural-capital-project/ Forbes "Names You Need To Know" in 2011], NCP created a tool called Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs, or InVEST. The goal of NCP is to present results to environmental decision makers regarding multiple land use planning and investment alternatives. Multiple use conflicts and competing interests can often delay or complicate management decisions, so NCP presents the trade-offs for competing choices. By presenting different scenarios of land use or policy decisions, and thereby different results of gains or losses in ecosystem services, NCP hopes to foster the balance between economics and conservation.
  
The outputs are not only biophysical, but economic as well.An economic value derived from a particular model could be the net presentvalue of something like net revenue from fish sales or the property valuechange of coastal land around a fish processing plant. The model category ofrenewable energy is measured through power density or potential energy, theservice provided is captured power, and the value of that service is netpresent value of wave or wind energy. Note that “valuation” outputs not onlyprovide values in economic terms but in social terms as well, if applicable. <!-- /* Font Definitions */@font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}@font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}@font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}@page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;}div.WordSection1 {page:Wor
 
  
In order to make full use of the effectiveness of InVEST,stakeholder involvement in the preliminary stages of the process is critical.Identifying the values and visions for the future held by stakeholders iscompleted through extensive interviews and surveys. Next, different scenariosare developed as alternative visions for land/marine use in the future. Scenarioscan range from conservation to expanding industrial uses. Different zoningchoices are presented reflecting potential management decisions, such assetting aside land of ecological significance. After data is compiled andscenarios are developed, it is time to utilize InVEST models and producevarious maps of supply, ecosystem services and/or value metrics. Results arethen synthesized and evaluated in terms of the stakeholder objectives, withtrade-offs identified. Reiteration of the process can follow to further clarifyor redefine possible scenarios.  
+
[http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org/InVEST.html InVEST] is a set of openly available tools for use with the Geographic Information System software [http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/index.html ArcGIS], and involves multiple models that quantify, map and value ecosystem services. Such models include but are not limited to: coastal vulnerability, marine habitat risk assessment, carbon storage and sequestration, and crop pollination. Each of these models allow for an estimation of changes in services under different climate and management scenarios, along with the capability to consider trade-offs among the different scenarios. InVEST takes an ecological production function approach where key inputs are connected to an estimation of the production of outputs. For example, inputs such as labor or habitat can be used to estimate the output offish yield, if focusing on food yield from fisheries.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The outputs are not only biophysical, but economic as well. An economic value derived from a particular model could be the net present value of something like net revenue from fish sales or the property value change of coastal land around a fish processing plant. The model category of renewable energy is measured through power density or potential energy, the service provided is captured power, and the value of that service is net present value of wave or wind energy. Note that “valuation” outputs not only provide values in economic terms but in social terms as well, if applicable.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
In order to make full use of the effectiveness of InVEST, stakeholder involvement in the preliminary stages of the process is critical.Identifying the values and visions for the future held by stakeholders is completed through extensive interviews and surveys. Next, different scenarios are developed as alternative visions for land/marine use in the future. Scenarios can range from conservation to expanding industrial uses. Different zoning choices are presented reflecting potential management decisions, such as setting aside land of ecological significance. After data is compiled and scenarios are developed, it is time to utilize InVEST models and produce various maps of supply, ecosystem services and/or value metrics. Results are then synthesized and evaluated in terms of the stakeholder objectives, with trade-offs identified. Reiteration of the process can follow to further clarify or redefine possible scenarios.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
In bringing NCP’s purpose to fruition, demonstration projects were chosen as example field sites designed for replication and scaling in future projects. These sites were chosen based on several factors,such as significant biodiversity, critical ecosystem services and stakeholder will. [http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org/belize.html Coastal Belize] is such a site, suffering from multiple use conflict and a delay in creating an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP). Belize is home to a productive coral reef system and wants to balance extractive uses, development and business opportunities with activities that sustain delivery of ecosystem services. NCP and the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute are working together to consult stakeholders, map and value coastal ecosystem services, and ultimately create a revised ICZMP. The zoning scenarios that are fed into InVEST include conservation, compromise and development. Example models include risk to habitat and coastal protection. The results expose trade-offs that arise from different scenarios. For example, where coastal development expands, risk to habitat increases along with decrease in lobster catch and revenue. However, with that same increase in development comes increased revenue from tourism and recreation. These results are reviewed, commented upon, and possibly revised with the hopes of guiding decision makers. Other sites where NCP is involved include locations in [http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org/hawaii.html Hawaii] and [http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org/indonesia.html Sumatra].
  
In bringing NCP’s purpose to fruition, demonstrationprojects were chosen as example field sites designed for replication andscaling in future projects. These sites were chosen based on several factors,such as significant biodiversity, critical ecosystem services and stakeholderwill. Coastal Belize is such a site, suffering from multiple use conflict and adelay in creating an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP). Belize ishome to a productive coral reef system and wants to balance extractive uses,development and business opportunities with activities that sustain delivery ofecosystem services. NCP and the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Instituteare working together to consult stakeholders, map and value coastal ecosystemservices, and ultimately create a revised ICZMP. The zoning scenarios that arefed into InVEST include conservation, compromise and development. Example modelsinclude risk to habitat and coastal protection. The results expose trade-offsthat arise from different scenarios. For example, where coastal developmentexpands, risk to habitat increases along with decrease in lobster catch andrevenue. However, with that same increase in development comes increased revenuefrom tourism and recreation. These results are reviewed, commented upon, andpossibly revised with the hopes of guiding decision makers. Other sites whereNCP is involved include locations in Hawaii and Sumatra.
 
 
   
 
   
In order to protect nature and the services nature provides,decisions should factor in nature’s real worth. The biophysical and economicoutputs from NCP’s tools are helping to make this happen.
+
In order to protect nature and the services nature provides,decisions should factor in nature’s real worth. The biophysical and economic outputs from NCP’s tools are helping to make this happen.
 +
 
  
 
== Useful links:==
 
== Useful links:==
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[http://ncp-dev.stanford.edu/~dataportal/invest-releases/documentation/current_release/index.html InVEST v. 2.2.2 user guide]  
 
[http://ncp-dev.stanford.edu/~dataportal/invest-releases/documentation/current_release/index.html InVEST v. 2.2.2 user guide]  
  
[http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org The Natural Capital Project]
+
[http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org The Natural Capital Project]
  
 
[http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/videos/nature-worth.html WWF Video: What is Nature Worth?]
 
[http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/videos/nature-worth.html WWF Video: What is Nature Worth?]

Revision as of 11:48, 28 June 2012

The Natural Capital Project (NCP) is a non-profit venture started in 2006 between Stanford University, the University of Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. Put in simple terms, NCP strives to quantify the values of “natural capital,” or ecosystem services provided free by nature. Such natural capital or ecosystem services include water purification,storm buffering, and regulating our climate through carbon sequestration. NCP tries to answer an extremely difficult question: “What is nature worth?”


The idea of natural capital is poorly understood, so this trailblazing venture created tools with the intention to answer the question above by integrating the scientific and economic understanding of natural assets. NCP also engages with leaders and experts from many different sectors across the globe. Named one of Forbes "Names You Need To Know" in 2011, NCP created a tool called Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs, or InVEST. The goal of NCP is to present results to environmental decision makers regarding multiple land use planning and investment alternatives. Multiple use conflicts and competing interests can often delay or complicate management decisions, so NCP presents the trade-offs for competing choices. By presenting different scenarios of land use or policy decisions, and thereby different results of gains or losses in ecosystem services, NCP hopes to foster the balance between economics and conservation.


InVEST is a set of openly available tools for use with the Geographic Information System software ArcGIS, and involves multiple models that quantify, map and value ecosystem services. Such models include but are not limited to: coastal vulnerability, marine habitat risk assessment, carbon storage and sequestration, and crop pollination. Each of these models allow for an estimation of changes in services under different climate and management scenarios, along with the capability to consider trade-offs among the different scenarios. InVEST takes an ecological production function approach where key inputs are connected to an estimation of the production of outputs. For example, inputs such as labor or habitat can be used to estimate the output offish yield, if focusing on food yield from fisheries.


The outputs are not only biophysical, but economic as well. An economic value derived from a particular model could be the net present value of something like net revenue from fish sales or the property value change of coastal land around a fish processing plant. The model category of renewable energy is measured through power density or potential energy, the service provided is captured power, and the value of that service is net present value of wave or wind energy. Note that “valuation” outputs not only provide values in economic terms but in social terms as well, if applicable.


In order to make full use of the effectiveness of InVEST, stakeholder involvement in the preliminary stages of the process is critical.Identifying the values and visions for the future held by stakeholders is completed through extensive interviews and surveys. Next, different scenarios are developed as alternative visions for land/marine use in the future. Scenarios can range from conservation to expanding industrial uses. Different zoning choices are presented reflecting potential management decisions, such as setting aside land of ecological significance. After data is compiled and scenarios are developed, it is time to utilize InVEST models and produce various maps of supply, ecosystem services and/or value metrics. Results are then synthesized and evaluated in terms of the stakeholder objectives, with trade-offs identified. Reiteration of the process can follow to further clarify or redefine possible scenarios.


In bringing NCP’s purpose to fruition, demonstration projects were chosen as example field sites designed for replication and scaling in future projects. These sites were chosen based on several factors,such as significant biodiversity, critical ecosystem services and stakeholder will. Coastal Belize is such a site, suffering from multiple use conflict and a delay in creating an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP). Belize is home to a productive coral reef system and wants to balance extractive uses, development and business opportunities with activities that sustain delivery of ecosystem services. NCP and the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute are working together to consult stakeholders, map and value coastal ecosystem services, and ultimately create a revised ICZMP. The zoning scenarios that are fed into InVEST include conservation, compromise and development. Example models include risk to habitat and coastal protection. The results expose trade-offs that arise from different scenarios. For example, where coastal development expands, risk to habitat increases along with decrease in lobster catch and revenue. However, with that same increase in development comes increased revenue from tourism and recreation. These results are reviewed, commented upon, and possibly revised with the hopes of guiding decision makers. Other sites where NCP is involved include locations in Hawaii and Sumatra.


In order to protect nature and the services nature provides,decisions should factor in nature’s real worth. The biophysical and economic outputs from NCP’s tools are helping to make this happen.


Useful links:

InVEST v. 2.2.2 user guide

The Natural Capital Project

WWF Video: What is Nature Worth?