Protecting our life support systems: An inventory of U.S. federal research on ecosystem services

Abstract

In the United States, a broad range of federal resource management and environmental agencies are conducting research related to ecosystem goods and services (EGS), and government agencies at all levels are increasingly interested in measuring the outcomes of proposed decisions in terms of ecosystem service benefits. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Ecosystem Services Research Program responded to the need for increased awareness of EGS efforts across agencies by conducting a web-based inventory of U.S. federal ecosystem services research. This characterization describes the breadth and focus of ecosystem services programs and projects that were ongoing or completed between April 2010 and May 2012 at nine federal agencies: the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and USEPA. This paper discusses the progress, gaps, and opportunities revealed and will increase awareness of current efforts, enhance opportunities for the public and private sector to collaborate on ecosystem services work, identify high priority research areas, and help avoid duplication.