Rethinking the use of the residual value method for ecosystem services valuation

Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services. The Meta-analysis of this seminar was reviewed to identify, describe, and choose an appropriate ecosystem valuation method. Four major and nine sub-ecosystem services valuation methods were reviewed from scientific literature sources. Direct market-valuation methods are used to estimate ecosystem services via the use of direct market prices and production functions, indirect market valuation methods are used to estimate when direct markets for many ecosystem goods and services do not exist, direct market prices are missing, and stated preference valuation methods are used when no market prices are available, indirect market valuation methods are not possible, and the change in ecosystem services is hypothetical. The indirect market valuation methods can be used to estimate economic values for all types of ecosystem services. Ecosystem service modeling is used in integrating all the spatial and temporal dynamics of ecosystem services. The strength and limitations of each ecosystem services valuations method are summarized to know and choose appropriate valuation methods. The analysis shows different valuation methods exist and have been applied to estimate the values of different ecosystem services, but their appropriateness under specific conditions or limitations is not uniform. Thus, further study on the pros and cons of valuation methods will be needed to choose appropriate ecosystem valuation methods.

Contribution of forest ecosystem services in India using Meta-Regression Approach

Valuation of ecosystem goods and services: Part 1: An integrated dynamic approach

• This paper provides the first economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by vultures in Southern Africa. • We estimate values for six ecosystem services and nine beneficiary groups. • Multiple valuation methods are applied, including discrete choice experiments, contingent valuation, and avoided damage costs. • The total economic value of vulture ecosystem services in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe is estimated to be just over USD 250 million per year. • The largest components of estimated total economic value are existence values and the sanitation service provided by vultures. Africa is home to eleven species of vultures, seven of which face the risk of extinction and are listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The major threats are poisoning, belief-based use, electrocutions and collisions. The loss of vultures in Asia provided a window into a catastrophic scenario without vultures and the impact of the loss of the ecosystem services they provide. In the African context, there is a knowledge gap on the importance of vultures to humans and the impact that a loss of vultures would have. This paper attempts to fill this gap with an economic valuation of the ecosystem services provided by vultures in Southern Africa, with a focus on Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The ecosystem services addressed in the assessment include provisioning, regulating and cultural services. Data were collected through four surveys targeting different beneficiary groups: 1. local communities in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area; 2. the general public within each country; 3. the international public; and 4. rangers and park managers. A mix of valuation methods were used including discrete choice experiments, contingent valuation, avoided damage costs, replacement costs, and net factor income. The total economic value of ecosystem services in the three countries is estimated to be just over USD 250 million per year. This is largely attributed to existence and bequest values and the sanitation and pest control service provided by vultures. Although vultures are arguably not as charismatic as other species of interest in the continent, their conservation is highly important to the welfare and health of people in Southern Africa.

Ecosystem services valuation for conservation and development decisions: A review of valuation studies and tools in the Far Eastern Himalaya

The Assessment of Ecosystem Services in Urban Areas

Forests deliver essential ecosystem services that support ecological stability and human well-being, yet their economic value remains underrecognized in policy and planning. This narrative review synthesizes literature on the economic valuation of forest ecosystem services, with a focus on methodologies, key service categories, and regional disparities. Using Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, studies were selected based on keyword combinations and inclusion criteria targeting empirical analyses on valuation methods and service outcomes. Findings show that Contingent Valuation, Travel Cost, and Replacement Cost methods are widely used to assess both market and non-market values, with each method demonstrating specific strengths and limitations. Carbon sequestration, recreational benefits, and clean water provisioning emerge as the most commonly valued services, with regional studies attributing between 10% to 55% of total forest value to these categories. Systemic factors such as institutional capacity, environmental policy integration, and socio-economic conditions significantly influence valuation implementation and quality. Countries with developed governance structures yield more robust valuation frameworks compared to those in resource-constrained regions. The review highlights the necessity of combining valuation techniques, enhancing data infrastructure, and engaging local stakeholders to address current gaps. By embedding economic valuation into policy mechanisms such as Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), governments can improve forest management outcomes. These insights advocate for a more inclusive, context-sensitive valuation approach to align conservation goals with economic development needs.

Determining the payment for ecosystem services of mangrove forests: The approach combining ecosystem services and social-economic level and application in Shankou National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China

Differential effects of valuation method and ecosystem type on the monetary valuation of dryland ecosystem services: A quantitative analysis

The evaluation of ecosystem service value is one of the important steps to improve ecosystem accounting methods and the existing accounting systems, and also one of the key techniques to accelerate the reform of ecological civilization system and to build a beautiful China. However, few literature have systematically distinguished the valuation methods of ecosystem services based on the purpose of valuation, which may lead to overestimation of ecosystem services value from the demand side and inconsistent measurement results among different departments. Based on the purpose of ecosystem accounting, we reviewed the valuation methods of ecosystem services. We started from the connotation and value of ecosystem services, illustrated the classification methods of ecosystem ser-vice value and concluded the approaches of ecosystem service economic units, with the aim to identify the extent to which ecosystem services were involved in system of national accounts (SNA). Then, we systematically sorted out the connotation, applicable scope and data demand of current ecosystem service valuation methods. From the perspective of ecosystem accounting, we discussed the valuation methods applicable to various types of ecosystem services. Finally, we analyzed the deficiency of the current relevant research and proposed some suggestions for the future research.

Ecosystems are responsible for sustaining human life and its various activities through the provision of ecosystem services. Nevertheless, ecosystems are seriously injured by a wide range of human activities. We highlight the Ara Bay (So Sebastio, SP) in this context, which has come under strong pressures and transformations over the years. The Bay is currently under threat of the likely expansion of the So Sebastio Port. There is a relative consensus in science regarding the need of economic valuation of ecosystem services. We stand out its contribution to decision-making. However, other values must be considered beyond economic as those ecological and socio-cultural. The valuation of ecosystem services contributes highlighting values that are usually not recognized in decision-making among other issues. Although there is an extensive scientific literature about the Ara Bay, none of the published studies were about its ecosystem services. Considering the potential of the valuation of ecosystem services to contribute to decision-making involving their environments, this study aimed to identify and to value the ecosystem services provided by the Ara Bay under the economic and sociocultural perspectives. The services were identified through three main steps: literature review, expert consultation and local community consultation. For part of the services we don't identified appropriate economic valuation method. Another part had its economic valuation carried out by other studies. Thirteen ecosystem services provided by the Ara Bay have been identified. Five ecosystem services were economically valued through market pricing, project valuation and replacement costs methods. An extrapolation of the economic value to fifty years, brought to present value by applying three discount rates, was also made. Interviews were conducted with 68 residents of the nearest neighborhood of the Ara Bay for the sociocultural valuation. The interviews contained three open questions focused on general and personal importance and the use of the Bay. Based on free-listing technique, the items of the responses were categorized into ecosystem services when possible. The Smith's Salience Index for each identified service was calculated. We made a ranking of the services based on the results of the index for the valuation. The economic value of the five valued, for 2014, was estimated at R$ 749,342.70. In the socio-cultural ranking, food supply was the first service, followed by leisure and recreation, heritage and cultural identity and sense of place, satisfaction by the environmental conservation, scenic beauty and landscape conservation, development of scientific and educational activities, access to the sea, sewage treatment, future benefits and shelter for boats. This study contributes mainly to expose the services and their economic and socio-cultural values associated with the current scenario of the Araa Bay. This can contribute to decision-making involving the Bay. We points out directions to the need of future research, such as scenario analysis. This study also contributes methodologically, in particular because creates new approach of economic evaluation that can be adopted in other studies.

Economic valuation methods for ecosystem services

Unfolding differences in the distribution of coastal marine ecosystem services values among developed and developing countries

Foreign publications devoted to the problems of determination and valuation of ecosystem services and their practical application in planning economic activities are under review. This direction of studies is being rapidly developed. It was clearly shaped after the global Millennium Ecosystem Assessment performed in 2005 on the initiative of the United Nations. In the recent decade, this direction has got an official status; specialized journals have been founded; regular conferences and workshops have been conducted. The number of publications in this field has increased considerably. The contribution of soil scientists to the valuation of ecosystem services remains modest. It is argued that the assessment and valuation of the ecosystem services of soils is a promising direction for soil science. Ecosystem services are subdivided into the groups of provisional, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. The latter group is considered the natural basis ensuring the efficient performance of other ecosystem services with their direct or indirect impact on human well-being. The assessment of ecosystem services implies three major directions: ecological, economic (monetary), and social. For each of the groups of ecosystem services, specific methods of their economic valuation are applied. Thus, provisional services are mainly assessed according to their market values. The contribution of provisional services to the total value of ecosystem services is relatively small. Regulating services are often estimated by the avoided cost and replacement cost methods, and cultural services (recreation, inspiration source, aesthetic value, spiritual value) are valued by the travel cost method. The methods of nonmarketable valuation are essentially based on the willingness-to-pay approach. Upon valuation of ecosystem services at the local level, a systems approach should be applied; it is necessary to taken into account cooperation bonus obtained by the particular stakeholders. It should also be noted that the removal of additional pressures from ecosystems in a given place might result in the increase of the anthropogenic loads on ecosystems in other places. The separation, mapping, and valuation of ecosystem services are performed with an ultimate goal to ensure sustainable development of the society and human well-being. The ecological and economic approaches in this field are actually aimed at strengthening of the role of market mechanisms in the environmental protection policy.

Many studies have been conducted on ecosystem services and double counting is a frequent problem that causes uncertainty and poor reliability of estimating the value of ecosystem services. By referring to previous studies of ecosystem service valuation, our research has identified the basic causes of double counting. These include ambiguous definitions and inconsistent classifications of ecosystem services, poor understanding of ecosystem complexity, inadequate recognition of exclusiveness and complementarities of individual ecosystem services, spatio‐temporal scale dependence of ecosystem services, and overlap and lack of cross‐referencing between ecosystem service valuation methods. Measures for reducing double counting in ecosystem service valuation are proposed as follow: (1) identifying the spatio‐temporal scales of ecosystem services; (2) valuing the final benefits obtained from ecosystem services; (3) establishing consistent classification systems for ecosystem services; and (4) selecting valuation methods appropriate for the study context.