A methodology for ecosystem services assessments across multiple scales

Abstract

The goods and services received from ecosystems (e.g. clean air, clean water, regulating climate, sense of place) are referred to as ecosystem services. People (stakeholders) receive and manage ecosystem services in different ways, rates, magnitudes and scales. This research is premised on the notion that to manage natural resources sustainably for ecosystem service provision we need to mainstream ecosystem services into all stakeholder decision making and a framework is required to meet this purpose.

The most utilised framework is the one supporting the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). Since the MA’s release in 2005 there has been exponential growth in ecosystem services research and framework development; there exists no systematic or agreed framework from which to assess ecosystem services across sites, ecosystems, catchments, regions or nations. A lack of analysis of existing initiatives, particularly the drivers underpinning the choice of process applied to develop frameworks and why information and tools differ, hinders the ability to make informed decisions on a framework’s relevance, transferability and scalability to purpose, or what is required to develop a more relevant framework. The use of different frameworks by stakeholders limits the use of assessment outcomes by others, and therefore the ability to inform natural resource management, planning and policy at different scales.

To better understand the drivers behind the choice of methodology applied in programs, this research analyses ecosystem services assessment methodologies and schools of thought developed in different contexts with a specific focus on geo-jurisdictional scales. In this research a methodology includes the process to develop a framework, and the information and tools supporting the framework.

To analyse methodologies, a three pronged research approach was applied. Document reviews ensured this research drew on an existing body of knowledge and broad range of methodologies. Applied research was used to develop a regional scale framework in South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia, capturing and creating an understanding of constraints and opportunities that arise in everyday practice. Multiple case study analysis with semi-formal interviews was used to analyse frameworks developed at national and multi-national scales (i.e. for the US and UK).

This research provides: (a) a new understanding of the drivers, motivations and contexts that influence how ecosystem services assessment initiatives are shaped; and (b) findings and Recommendations for use by those working in the ever-expanding field of ecosystem services, that will enable them to adopt, adapt or develop assessment methodologies (process, information, tools) in a more sophisticated and explicit manner.

This research reveals the factors influencing the initiation of the program, the culture of coordinating organisations and the resources available strongly influenced the process applied to develop frameworks; the information incorporated in frameworks was influenced by the culture of nations, mandates of coordinating organisations, the existing evidence-base, and the need to integrate assessment outcomes with current natural resource initiatives; and the resources available and capacity of framework users influenced the tools developed. A major finding is the high influence the process applied has on the type of information and tools incorporated in frameworks. Hence, to develop an appropriate methodology for ecosystem services assessments across multiple scales the creation of scientific and political space that allows different knowledge systems to inform each other is required.