Generation Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Evaluating the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystem service values in response to land use/land cover change in Goang watershed, Northwest Ethiopia

Evaluating the impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) change on ecosystem service values (ESVs) is critical for understanding the implications of land use change on human well-being, identifying trade-offs and synergies between different ecosystem services, monitoring changes in ecosystem health, and informing decisions for land use planning and conservation efforts. As a result, this study aimed to examine the effects of these changes on ESVs during the last four decades (1984–2022) and predicted periods of 2040 and 2060 by utilizing a combination of geoinformation, and economic evaluation approaches. The modified ecosystem service value (ESV) coefficients were used to estimate the influence of LULC change on ESVs. The result revealed that overall ESV has declined from US$390 × 106 in 1984 to US$273.21 × 106 in 2060. However, the effects on various ecosystem services varied, with certain services, such as crop production, pollination, and biological control, increasing in value. These findings also emphasized the necessity of evaluating the implications of land use decisions on ecosystem services and it depicted that it may be possible to retain or improve certain services even in the face of overall declines in total ESVs. Subsequently, the findings of this study, therefore, give important insights for policymakers, land managers, and local people for devising appropriate land use policies and land use plans as well as realizing, and implementing sustainable land use practices that ensure the provision of essential ecosystem services for future generations.

Multifunctions of the auxiliary vegetation structures on conservation habitat quality. A challenge for the agro and socio ecosystems redesigns

The conservation of biodiversity and the generation of ecosystem services constitute strategies that has been promoted and executed by the institutions that manage ecological systems, which are also being assumed by the governance of socioeconomic systems. The design and appropriate integration of Auxiliary Vegetation Structures (AVS), as semi-natural spaces to improve the habit quality of the associated biodiversity and people in rural and urban areas, is argued as a promising alternative. Various plants and the design of vegetation structures that offer ecological, cultural, economic services are considered multifunctional

Contract noncompliance in agricultural conservation programs: Panel evidence from Louisiana, USA

Abstract Cost-share contracts, offered through working lands programs, are instrumental in addressing environmental externalities from agriculture and generating ecosystem services. However, the persistent trend of noncompliance with cost-share contractual terms has become a problem for funding agencies and policymakers. This paper aims to study noncompliance issues within the US working lands programs using historical county-level panel data (1997–2019) from Louisiana. The results show that noncompliance is attributed more to cancellations than terminations due to flexible provisions within the cancellation option. The significant incentive effect of payment obligations reveals that revisiting payment rates could reduce contract noncompliance and mitigate moral hazard.

Urban green governance and mechanisms of generation of ecosystem services: Milan’s green governance models

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the governance of the green spaces in the metropolitan area of Milan, aiming to understand the political mechanisms that underpin the generation of ecosystem services in the urban context. Based on semi-structured interviews to relevant policymakers and stakeholders and on the study of planning documents and greening policies, the research identifies the main actors who are involved in green planning and management in the city and in the metropolitan area. By analysing their green management and planning roles, economic resources and greening visions and priorities, the study depicts five coexisting green governance models. In particular, the research highlights the decreasing influence of public institutions in green planning and management and the rising relevance of private-public collaborations. These dynamics of green governance may affect the generation and the distribution of ecosystem services. On the one hand, greening in private-led regeneration processes tend toward recreational and final ecosystem services, aiming to raise land values. On the other hand, the civic projects of afforestation have evolved in territorial initiatives that go beyond the mere objective of implementing new green spaces, looking at broader planning themes – i.e. soft mobility and social welfare – demanding a stronger metropolitan coordination.

The upcoming European Soil Monitoring Law: An effective instrument for the protection of terrestrial ecosystems?

Soils are a precious resource consistently placed under several threats and urgently in need of protection within a regulatory framework at the European level. Soils are central to the provision of environmental services as well as human existence on earth. The need to protect soil has been identified by several recent European strategies and fortunately, a specific European regulation for soil protection is on the way-the European Soil Monitoring Law (formerly: Soil Health Law). However, efforts need to ensure that the upcoming Soil Monitoring Law closes gaps between existing regulations for chemicals and acknowledges current European strategies for environmental protection and sustainability. This brief communication started from a fruitful discussion among SETAC Global Soils Interest Group members on a recent public consultation on the newly proposed Soil Monitoring Law of the European Commission and highlights critical points focusing on the chemical pollution of soils. We emphasize urgent needs such as the essential definition of a "healthy state" of soils; the implementation of a suitable set of indicators and quality standards for the description of physical, chemical, and biological states of soils; the enforcement of the "polluter-pays" principle; and the establishment of a Europe-wide monitoring program. Results from monitoring need to be fed back into regulatory frameworks, including the regulation of chemicals. Guidance documents for the risk assessment of chemicals are outdated and need to be updated. Finally, actions need to be taken to foster healthy soils, stop biodiversity decline, and ensure the functioning of ecosystem services for future generations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:316-321. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

A Comprehensive Approach to Assess the Impact of Agricultural Production Factors on Selected Ecosystem Services in Poland

The conservation of environmental resources is aimed at ensuring the continuity of ecosystem services for future generations and maintaining ecosystem integrity. Given the extensive reliance of agriculture on the environment, it is crucial to identify factors that impact the quality of ecosystem services (ESs), which can be regulated at large and heterogeneous national or European scales. This research, conducted within the Polish use case of the AGRICORE project, aims to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing indicators depicted in three ES categories, which can be shaped under the actions of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The study was conducted based on national sources, mostly the database of the Central Statistical Office. The analyses of regression showed a significant impact of selected agricultural productivity factors on the key performance indicators (KPIs) assessing the level of selected ESs. The yield of cereal grains, which quantitatively expresses the potential of current crop production, depended to the greatest extent (r = 0.81) on a comprehensive indicator of the agricultural production space suitability, as well as on the rise of the level of nitrogen fertilization (r = 0.68), and also on the reduced share of permanent grassland in the agricultural area (r = −0.53). It was proved that in territorial units, in which the level of nitrogen fertilization per 1 ha was greater, the share of soils with favorable pH > 5.5 was also greater. The gross nitrogen balance had a positive and significant correlation with the level of investment subsidies (r = 0.86), the share of agricultural land in the total area (r = 0.67), and the level of nitrogen fertilization (r = 0.66). Notably, there were positive correlations between the level of environmental subsidies and the increase in forestation (r = 0.68) and also between air quality and the share of cereals in the sowing structure (r = 0.86). Additionally, the impact of agricultural productivity factors on cultural eco-services was found, e.g., the share of ecological land had a positive impact on the number of natural monuments, the area of nature reserves, the number of agritourists, and agritourism nights, while the share of cereals in the sowing structure negatively correlated with the most of analyzed cultural indicators. These results are useful for the development of a module for the ABM model that employs the desired environmental parameters to provide different assessments of the impact of selected agricultural productivity factors and ecosystem services on the economic farm status.

Biodiversity accounting: a bibliometric analysis for comprehensive literature mapping

Purpose The paper aims to carry out a comprehensive literature mapping to synthesise and descriptively analyse the research trends of biodiversity accounting, providing implications for managers and policymakers, whilst also outlining a future agenda for scholars. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis is carried out by adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses protocol for searching and selecting the scientific contributions to be analysed. Citation analysis is used to map a current research front and a bibliographic coupling is conducted to detect the connection networks in current literature. Findings Biodiversity accounting is articulated in five thematic clusters (sub-areas), such as “Natural resource management”, “Biodiversity economic evaluation”, “Natural capital accounting”, “Biodiversity accountability” and “Biodiversity disclosure and reporting”. Critical insights emerge from the content analysis of these sub-areas. Practical implications The analysis of the thematic evolution of the biodiversity accounting literature provides useful insights to inform both practice and research and infer implications for managers, policymakers and scholars by outlining three main areas of intervention, i.e. adjusting evaluation tools, integrating ecological knowledge and establishing corporate social legitimacy. Social implications Currently, the level of biodiversity reporting is pitifully low. Therefore, organisations should properly manage biodiversity by integrating diverse and sometimes competing forms of knowledge for the stable and resilient flow of ecosystem services for future generations. Originality/value This paper not only updates and enriches the current state of the art but also identifies five thematic areas of the biodiversity accounting literature for theoretical and practical considerations.

Economic Prospects of some Ecosystem Services Accessed by Communities around Girei Forest Reserve of Adamawa State

The economic prospects of ecosystem services accessed by communities around Girei forest reserve were investigated. This was as a result of over dependence on the forest reserve as a source of livelihood. A stratified random sampling was used to interview 180 household heads on their socio-economic characteristics and the benefits they derived from the forest reserve. Relevant descriptive statistical tools were used to analyze the data. The results showed that most households were headed by males 91.3% while 8.7% of the households were headed by females. The mean annual income of the respondents was ₦267,401. A lot of benefits were obtained from the forest reserve such as honey, firewood, poles, medicines, grass etc. The estimated annual monetary value of ecosystem provisioning services obtained from the forest reserve is ₦25,907,400 per annum. However, due to the enormous benefits derived from the forest reserve and the unsustainable harvest of the forest resources as a source of livelihood, quantitative assessment of the indigenous tree species in Girei forest reserve was also carried out. To achieve these;;the relative frequency, density, relative dominance, and importance value index of tree species in the forest reserve were determined. The tree with the highest dominance Tamarindus indica (39.1) while the least is Prosopis africana (0.54). The importance value index shows that Tamarindus indica (28.67) has the highest value index while the least is Parkia biglobosa (1.90). The result of diversity of the tree species was 1.941 using Shanno’s diversity index which indicates uncertainty of the species in the study area. Therefore, there is need for urgent concerted management and policy actions which are geared towards monitoring the health and integrity of Girei forest reserve such it can continue to generate ecosystem services which are beneficial to the present and future generations.

An assessment of silvopastoral systems condition and their capacity to generate ecosystem services in the Colombian Amazon

ABSTRACT Livestock production in the Colombian Amazonia is typically dual-purpose (meat and milk) based on silvopastoral systems. We aimed to assess how the ecological condition of these systems correspond to the ecosystem services they generate based on an assessment of farmers’ knowledge of the tree species. We evaluated 159 paddocks. We recorded 143 tree species from 37 families, with 22 species being most common (relative occurrence frequency = 57%). Based on tree species composition, we characterized four states of silvopastoral condition (hereon ‘paddock condition types’) using clustering techniques: (i) High structural complexity and highest tree species richness (HSCR); (ii) High species diversity and tall trees (HDTT); (iii) High species diversity and medium-sized trees (HDMT); (iv) Structurally simple with lowest species richness (SSLR). Tree species richness was significantly higher in HSCR (11.70 ± 1.47 per paddock), than in SSLR (2.86 ± 0.80). HDTT and HDMT had similar richness, with intermediate values (5.55 ± 0.82 and 6.38 ± 0.51, respectively). Farmers appreciate a number of ecosystem services provided by the silvopastoral system, but a limited number of tree species are valued. This indicates the need for additional biodiversity conservation measures in these landscapes, including measures to improve knowledge about the value of tree species with few occurrences or low densities.

Economic Prospects of some Ecosystem Services Accessed by Communities around Girei Forest Reserve of Adamawa State

The economic prospects of ecosystem services accessed by communities around Girei forest reserve were investigated. This was as a result of over dependence on the forest reserve as a source of livelihood. A stratified random sampling was used to interview 180 household heads on their socio-economic characteristics and the benefits they derived from the forest reserve. Relevant descriptive statistical tools were used to analyze the data. The results showed that most households were headed by males 91.3% while 8.7% of the households were headed by females. The mean annual income of the respondents was ₦267,401. A lot of benefits were obtained from the forest reserve such as honey, firewood, poles, medicines, grass etc. The estimated annual monetary value of ecosystem provisioning services obtained from the forest reserve is ₦25,907,400 per annum. However, due to the enormous benefits derived from the forest reserve and the unsustainable harvest of the forest resources as a source of livelihood, quantitative assessment of the indigenous tree species in Girei forest reserve was also carried out. To achieve these;;the relative frequency, density, relative dominance, and importance value index of tree species in the forest reserve were determined. The tree with the highest dominance Tamarindus indica (39.1) while the least is Prosopis africana (0.54). The importance value index shows that Tamarindus indica (28.67) has the highest value index while the least is Parkia biglobosa (1.90). The result of diversity of the tree species was 1.941 using Shanno’s diversity index which indicates uncertainty of the species in the study area. Therefore, there is need for urgent concerted management and policy actions which are geared towards monitoring the health and integrity of Girei forest reserve such it can continue to generate ecosystem services which are beneficial to the present and future generations.

Nutrient dynamics of 12 Sphagnum species during establishment on a rewetted bog.

Peatland degradation through drainage and peat extraction have detrimental environmental and societal consequences. Rewetting is an option to restore lost ecosystem functions, such as carbon storage, biodiversity and nutrient sequestration. Peat mosses (Sphagnum) are the most important peat-forming species in bogs. Most Sphagnum species occur in nutrient-poor habitats; however, high growth rates have been reported in artificial nutrient-rich conditions with optimal water supply. Here, we demonstrate the differences in nutrient dynamics of 12 Sphagnum species during their establishment in a 1-year field experiment at a Sphagnum paludiculture area in Germany. The 12 species are categorized into three groups (slower-, medium- and fast-growing). Establishment of peat mosses is facilitated by constant supply of nutrient-rich, low pH, and low alkalinity surface water. Our study shows that slower-growing species (S. papillosum, S. magellancium, S. fuscum, S. rubellum, S. austinii; often forming hummocks) displayed signs of nutrient imbalance. These species accumulated higher amounts of N, P, K and Ca in their capitula, and had an elevated stem N:K quotient (>3). Additionally, this group sequestered less C and K per m2 than the fast and medium-growing species (S. denticulatum, S. fallax, S. riparium, S. fimbriatum, S. squarrosum, S. palustre, S. centrale). Lower lawn thickness may have amplified negative effects of flooding in the slower-growing species. We conclude that nutrient dynamics and carbon/nutrient sequestration rates are species-specific. For bog restoration, generating ecosystem services or choosing suitable donor material for Sphagnum paludiculture, it is crucial to consider their compatibility with prevailing environmental conditions.

Utilizing relational values to investigate a federally administered soil conservation programme in the US Northwest

ABSTRACT Federal conservation programmes compensate property owners and farmers for sustained land-use practices which generate ecosystem services, yet enrolling participants can be a challenge. This paper studies that challenge in order to understand what values drive enrolment patterns in the Columbia River basin in the US Northwest, a region designated as a Critical Conservation Area by the US Department of Agriculture. Utilizing a relational values framework, the dynamics of the federally administered Conservation Reserve Program are explored. Findings are revealed through qualitative coding and analysis of semi-structured interviews and visual artefacts from programme participants, government employees and university-affiliated extension knowledge holders. This study concludes that five key relational values inform enrolment in this region beyond monetary reasons: stewardship, care, kinship, responsibility and identity. This paper posits that integrating information regarding relational values into federally administered conservation programmes may lead to more resilient and sustainable social–ecological systems.

The value of change: A scenario assessment of the effects of bioeconomy driven land use change on ecosystem service provision

Policy makers in Nordic countries envisage a developing bioeconomy as an important element in the transition towards a fossil-energy-free future. However, although the shape of such a bioeconomy is unclear, impacts on land use and land management are likely. To analyse the possible impact on ecosystem services value of this transition, we used five scenarios that describe possible socio-economic environments in the four Nordic countries in the year 2050. These five Nordic Bioeconomy Pathways (NBPs) have been labelled in brief as: ‘sustainability first’, ‘conventional first’, ‘self-sufficiency first’, ‘city first’ and ‘growth first’. In this paper, we adapted an existing integrating framework of ecosystem service delivery to accommodate these NBPs and estimated economic value of all services for six study catchments across the Nordic countries: Odense (DK), Simojoki (FI), Haldenvassdraget (NO), Orrevassdraget (NO), Sävjaån (SE) and Vindelälven (SE). We articulated the scenario storylines to a set of numerical attributes per NBP using input from secondary data sources and interviews with stakeholder representatives and local experts. We made land use change spatially explicit based on the catchment’s physical characteristics and used links between catchment attributes and ecosystem services flow to estimate annual ecosystem services generation in biophysical and monetary units. Outcomes suggest: the value of active recreation increases more in 'sustainability first' and 'growth first' than in other scenarios; variations in total value are largest among catchments under 'city first'; the overall rank order of ecosystem services value within catchments largely remains unchanged under all NBPs. We conclude that outdoor recreation contributes a high benefit to society that is likely not adequately considered relative to provisioning services in current decision making, and that these benefits appear sensitive to how a bioeconomy will develop. Overall, the estimated summed value delivered in these catchments is highest under the 'sustainability first' and 'growth first' scenarios.

A study on external pressures of an ancient irrigation cascade system in Sri Lanka

CONTEXTVillage Tank Cascade Systems (VTCSs), which are ancient irrigation systems in Sri Lanka have undergone various pressures over time including climate variability, population growth, land use changes and agricultural intensification. VTCSs have provided irrigation and vital ecosystem services for generations, while facing these pressures. As external pressures have increased drastically over the last century, it is worthwhile to investigate VTCS's current capacity to tolerate pressures exerted on them while sustaining their functions. OBJECTIVEThe objectives of this study were to (i) assess the pressures exerted on Mahakanumulla VTCS due to climate change, population growth, land use changes and agricultural practices, (ii) evaluate the impacts of the pressures on the system in terms of water quality and quantity. METHODSRainfall data from 1906 to 2020 were analyzed to identify the rainfall trends over the last century. Land use maps were developed for 1910, 1979, 2002 and 2018. To identify current farming practices, a questionnaire survey was carried out targeting 357 respondents followed by field investigations. Environmental impacts due to pressures on the system were evaluated using water quantity estimations and quality tests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSPaddy extent has increased from 6.3% to 20.2% while the homestead extent has increased from 1.6% to 11.5% during the last century. The lands used for sustainable shifting cultivation have encroached with permanent agricultural lands and human settlements. The runoff coefficient rose from 0.29 to 0.45, indicating a high outflow of water during rains and limiting water retention within the system. This is an indication of increasing water scarcity in dry periods due to limited recharge capacity. Although the system continues to function without significant water quality deterioration, agricultural activities can cause threats in the future. Hence, the system needs immediate attention in the context of proper land use planning, farmer awareness and integrated nutrient management at the cascade level to minimize these pressures exerted upon the system. SIGNIFICANCEIdentifying and quantifying various pressures exerted on VTCSs is the fundamental step in setting management and mitigation plans. Project planners and policymakers need evidence-based information in this regard. Therefore, this study's findings and the research framework that may be extended to other VTCSs and similar systems are significant in creating a favorable policy environment and implementation programmes to reduce the risks the VTCSs are exposed to.

Fisheries as ecosystem services: A case study of the Cauvery river basin, India

Habitat alterations and fragmentation caused by anthropogenic modifications of the riverine landscape have affected fish biodiversity by reducing the number of fish species. Fish are a major element of the aquatic environment, and they play an important role in maintaining ecosystem resilience. However, an incomplete understanding of links between river ecosystem functions and processes with fisheries is one of the major reasons for the alarming rate of decline of fish species. Recognizing the ecosystem services generated by fish populations is essential and is one step toward comprehensive, ecosystem-based management of riverine fisheries. Therefore, this paper is motivated by the need to explore the dimensions of fisheries as an ecosystem service. The data was collected from primary field observations and checklist-based key informant interviews at the seventeen fishing sites selected across an 800 km river stretch of the river. In addition, two focused group discussions with fishers at two sampling sites were held to provide first-hand knowledge of ecosystem services generated by fisheries. At first, the role of fisheries in generating ecosystem services for riverine ecosystem functioning and human demands is outlined using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment approach. Then, the findings of a survey carried out from the headwaters to the delta of the Cauvery river are presented detailing the fisheries provisioning services, livelihoods, and other ecosystem services. The findings showed that the provisioning and cultural services are highly represented among the four categories of ecosystem services identified by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. However, in the literature reviewed, supporting, and regulating services are not well-represented. Based on these findings, the applicability of the ecosystem service concept can be elaborated to inform researchers and policymakers to enhance conservation efforts for fisheries.

Multi-criteria methods for the optimal localization of urban green areas

With reference to the important issues on sustainable urban development, ecosystem services play a significant role today, able to significantly affect the quality of life in cities. In this perspective, urban regeneration processes must be encouraged through the creation of green areas. Such intervention strategies enhance the livability and resilience of growing cities by: (i) generating ecosystem services (ESs); (ii) containing the negative impacts of urbanization; and (iii) contributing to a Circular Economy (CE). This study uses techniques of multi-criteria evaluation with to characterize a methodology that can favor the best localization of urban parks. Elements of novelty of the research concern both the logical structure of the implemented algorithms, based on a panel of rigorously selected indicators, and the consistency checks between the different methods examined. Specifically, we propose a set of six indicators of general validity and easy to estimate, with aim to define: (i) a methodology easily replicable to different socio-economic contexts; (ii) a useful tool for decision-makers and urban planners as they are easy to be practically implemented. Once indicators are selected, we implement and compare four different evaluation approaches – AHP, ELECTRE, TOPSIS and VIKOR – to select the optimal localization of a green areas in an Italian city. The goal is to provide a more cohesive framework for the evaluation of the optimal location of urban green strategies, in the light of economic, environmental, and social criteria.

Assessing environmental services and disservices of urban street trees. an application of the emergy accounting

The urban green infrastructure (UGI), with special focus on street trees, is a very complex engineered ecosystem which plays an important role in generating ecosystem services and, if improperly managed, a number of dis-services to be prevented. This study applies the Emergy Accounting method to the cost and benefit evaluation, in order to establish a non-monetary “supply-side” assessment framework capable to assign an environmental value to each kind of services provided by urban forests and other green infrastructures. Further, the study classifies urban street tree integrated valuation framework into ecosystem services, avoided cost for human health and biodiversity damage, growing/maintenance cost and ecosystem dis-services. In a like manner, the interaction among the three different component flows in street tree ecosystems (costs, benefits and associated dis-services) are compared by means of a ternary diagram. Taking the case of the street ecosystem in Beijing, China, eleven typical urban tree species, including oak, maple, Chinese ash and linden, are selected for services and dis-services evaluation. Results show that, in general, UGI provides a large number of services to urban population, but it may also generate dis-services affecting human health, well-being and biodiversity when tree selection, location and management is not accurate. Results may help improve management practices which enhance the overall ecosystem service provision by urban forests not only in Beijing as case study but also in other cities by means of appropriate management.

Ecosystem condition underpins the generation of ecosystem services: an accounting perspective

There is a linkage between the condition of ecosystems and the services they provide. In the accounting framework set by the United Nations System of integrated Environmental Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounts (SEEA EA), two different sets of accounts assess and monitor ecosystem condition and ecosystem services, respectively. The former are reported as indicators in an asset account format, while the latter are reported as supply and use tables. Without a concrete linkage, the two sets of accounts run in parallel: only an ex-post correlation analysis could confirm (or not) a common path. On the other hand, a clear linkage could create a sequence that justifies and supports the statement that any change in ecosystem condition will affect services and, in turn, the benefits provided to economy and society. Concrete applications undertaken under the project “Integrated system for Natural Capital Accounts” demonstrate at which stage a direct connection can occur between ecosystem condition and ecosystem services accounting. The paper starts with a theoretical background meant to set the basic concepts underlying the transition from condition to services. Next, the accounting framework for condition accounts is briefly presented: the specific ecosystem services case studies concern flood control and crop pollination. In the discussion, a simple proposal is drafted to facilitate a possible procedure for those practitioners interested in having condition and ES accounts operationally linked.

Anthropogenic Threats to Ecosystem Services of Maldivian Coral Reefs: Current Policies and Solutions

Healthy, biodiverse coral reefs provide many ecosystem services from both an ecological and socio-economic standpoint. Anthropogenic activity poses a threat to the capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services. The vast, teeming coral reef system of the Maldives is under threat from overfishing, coral mining, destructive fishing methods, direct pollution and litter, and the unsustainable disposal of garbage in the country. The Maldivian government has implemented a number of policies to address these threats and protect local coral reef ecosystems from harm; however, these policies need to be expanded in order to more effectively and comprehensively protect local coral reefs. If the policies outlined in this paper are adopted, Maldivian coral reefs will be protected well into the future and the local population will benefit from their ecosystem services for generations to come.

Local People’s Perceptions of Changing Ecosystem Services in Baroro River Watershed, Philippines

Establishing the status of ecosystem services entails knowing the connection between humans and nature, since the ability of a landscape to generate ecosystem services depends largely on how it is being managed. Using the framework of livelihood, income, forest condition and ecosystem services (LIFE) and place of residence, this paper aims to understand the relationship between the local people’s perceptions and ecosystem services at a given point of time. An upstream and a midstream village were selected in a watershed in Northern Philippines as a case where land use conversion, from forest to agriculture, has taken place at various time periods, to different extents, and where ecosystem services are crucial to production activities. This paper is to contribute to the limited literature on ecosystem services in the Philippines using the historical perspective of the local people. The results strongly indicate that the local people’s perceptions regarding ecosystem services are consistent with land use and land cover (LULC) changes that happened in the past. Livelihood, place of residence and, to some extent, income can become good predictors of the status of ecosystem services that can be harnessed for targeted interventions in the future.