Monetary Valuation Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Mega project impact on urban growth and ecosystem service

In an effort to forecast and estimate the value of ecosystem services (ESVs) and land use and land cover changes (LULC), recent global events and research have centered on the evaluation of LULC. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated approach using multi-layer perceptron-Markov chain analysis (MLP-MCA) and remote sensing data for monitoring land use and land cover (LULC) changes. The study area comprises the three Bangladeshi upazilas that the Padma Bridge connects: Shariatpur, Louhajang, and Janjira. The Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD) was used to evaluate the impacts of changes in land use and land cover (LULC) on Ecosystem Service Values (ESVs). The LULC of the study area was estimated for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, and the forecast period for urban development was 2030 and 2040. Additionally, the monetary value of ecosystem services was evaluated across the time. As per the LULC change analysis, there is a projected 4.35% growth in the built-up area from 2000 to 2020. After the bridge is constructed, the built-up area is projected to increase by 7% in 2030 and 14% in 2040, according to the forecast. The exponential expansion of developed land has a paradoxical effect on the value of ecosystem services. From 2020 to 2040, it is expected that the ESVs for provision, regulation, culture, and support will experience a reduction of approximately 213.24 million USD/ha. Even if the establishment of a bridge results in economic stability and investment attraction for the nation, unforeseen ecosystem service losses cannot contribute to long-term, sustainable development. This study, by establishing a correlation between urban area expansion and the deterioration of ecosystem services, can serve as a standard and basis for guiding management decisions.

The impact of China's urbanization on ecosystem service value from the perspective of gross ecosystem product: a case study of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Gross ecosystem product (GEP) is an aggregate measure of the monetary value of final ecosystem services, or the direct benefits that people derive from nature. GEP can provide decision makers with clear and competing evidence of the monetary value of ecosystem services. However, the relationship between GEP and urbanization has not been clarified which is not conducive to the decision-making role of GEP in the process of urban sustainable development. This work focused on the ‘Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei’ (BTH) urban agglomeration as a case study of the dynamics of ecological production amidst rapid economic and urban development, and coupled a spatial–temporal analysis of regional ecological change based on GIS (Geographic Information System) with economic valuation methods using official statistics and survey data. Results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the GEP increased from 1.55 trillion to 2.36 trillion, the value of provisioning services and cultural services increased from 0.51 to 0.71 trillion to 0.10–0.65 trillion. The value of regulation services showed an upward and downward trend (0.94–1.03–0.98) due to the rapid economic development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. There were obvious spatial differences in the distribution of the GEP, in which Beijing, Tianjin, Tangshan, Cangzhou GEP accounted for 15%, 14%, 16% and 11%, respectively. During 2000–2020, there is a significant correlation between urbanization index (UI) and GEP in BTH, but the correlation between GEP and UI shows a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The correlation between UI and EPS and ERS gradually decreases, and the impact of UI on ETS shows a significant positive correlation. In the future, it can be foreseen that urbanization will suppress the increase of GEP.

Wetland Changes and Ecosystem Services Valuation of Kapla Beel in Assam

Background: Wetlands are productive ecosystem with immense potentiality of providing various goods and services. But they are fast depleting due to various natural and anthropogenic causes. Kapla beel is a freshwater wetland located in Barpeta district in the lower Brahmaputra valley of Assam. Area of the Kapla beel has been decreasing over the years. This study shall make an attempt to analyse the causes of land use and land cover changes of Kapla beel of Assam and assess its ecosystem services value changes during the period 1990 to 2022. Methods: To assess the changes, two Landsat images for the year 1990 and 2022 of Kapla beel were taken from the United State Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Explorer. Land-use change analysis was assessed by comparing the areas occupied by each land use in each period using the ArcGIS software. The dynamicity index is used to calculate the rate of change in land cover. In order to assess the changes in the wetland ecosystem service value due to wetland changes, Benefit Transfer Method is used which involves transferring monetary values of ecosystem services from previous studies. Result: The valuation of ecosystem services underlines the fact that wetlands are highly productive and economically viable ecosystems. Accounting of ecosystem services provides information about the need for optimal decision -making towards judicious use of wetland resources for their sustenance.

Costs and benefits of protecting linear landscape elements: Applying systematic conservation planning on a case study in the Netherlands

Protecting and increasing linear landscape elements (LLEs) in agricultural lands is regarded as a possible solution for a transition to a more biodiverse agricultural system. However, optimizing the spatial configuration of LLEs protected areas is challenging, especially given the demand for land for food production. Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) can address this challenge, by prioritizing cost-efficient protection areas. We used a SCP approach to look at the LLEs network in the Province of Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands, identifying the possible trade-off between optimizing species conservation, costs and the monetary values of ecosystem services (ES). For this we defined two scenarios. One scenario focuses on achieving species conservation targets at the minimum cost, and the other focuses on achieving targets while maximizing the benefits provided by ES. For each scenario, we further developed two land-management options, namely land-sharing and land-sparing. For each solution, we tested their cost-effectiveness by calculating implementation costs, economic benefits provided by ES, and cost/benefit ratios. First, our scenario analysis indicates that the economic benefits provided by ES always outweigh the implementation costs. Second, it shows that including ES as co-benefits in SCP (Maximize ES Scenario) yields more cost-efficient conservation solutions. Third, both land-sharing and land-sparing are possible cost-efficient approaches to achieve conservation targets. Our results are spatially explicit and identify crucial habitat areas for the conservation of the selected species, which represent 12–20% of the current unprotected network of LLEs. Our findings showcase net economic benefit of conserving species and LLEs, thus representing an additional reason for biodiversity conservation.

The content of mineral nitrogen in a 0-30 cm soil layer as an indicator of ecosystem services: А case study of grasslands

Nitrogen’s role in agriculture lies in its mineral form, impacting plant availability and potential losses, with soil nitrogen content in grassy areas playing a vital role in ecosystem services like regulation and maintenance. The research aimed to evaluate these services using the mineral nitrogen indicator in the 0-30 cm soil layer, and to establish the link between their biophysical and financial values. This was done considering usage type, soil type, and corn as an alternative feed for ruminants. Services were assessed across 1,540 points in permanent green areas (meadows, pastures, alternating), grass cultivation areas (short-term), and corn fields. The study affirmed the significant contribution of grasslands to ecosystem services, evaluated through the “content of Nmin in a 0-30 cm” soil layer, which exhibited variations based on usage, type, and regional distinctions. The highest biophysical and monetary values of ecosystem services were found in grasslands designated for meadow use, while the lowest accumulation of Nmin in the 0-30 cm layer, thus impacting the scope of environmental services was observed in mineral soils subjected to short-term alternating crop cultivation (55.2 kg⸱ha-1) and corn cultivation (70.9 kg⸱ha-1). Across various usage methods and soil types, the region characterized by intensified livestock production, the Podlaskie Province displayed the highest biophysical and monetary values for grassland ecosystem services compared to the other provinces under study. In contrast, the remaining provinces exhibited comparatively lower values in this regard. The provided monetary value, based on current nitrogen fertilizer costs and grassland/corn extent, can universally gauge ecosystem service worth from fodder plants across farms, regions, and nations

Monetary Valuation of Ecosystem Services Provided by Protective Forest Plantations in the Agroforestry System in the South of the Volga Upland

The purpose of the study is an economic assessment of the effectiveness of agroforestry based on determining the value of ecosystem services of an afforested model land object and extrapolating the data obtained to the territory of the south of the Volga upland with identical natural and economic conditions to the model. The study presents a methodology for the economic assessment of ecosystem goods and services of forested agricultural landscapes based on the modern classification of ecosystem services: CICES. It is established that the economic value of the regional ecosystem product provided by forested lands in the dry steppe is USD 1323 per 1 ha of agroforest landscape per year (price for 2021 on average for 30 years). Of these, regulatory and maintenance services account for 52% of the total economic value, security services—45%, and cultural services—3%. The projected economic value of ecosystem services that will be provided by afforested lands in the south of the Volga upland, the price for 2025, taking into account inflation, is estimated at almost USD 20 million. This value is a sufficient justification for conducting forest reclamation works in the region and providing recommendations for their necessity for small enterprises and farms.

Ecosystem services footprint of international trade: Economic value of ecosystem services lost due to crop production

Agricultural activities utilize provisioning ecosystem services while degrading nature’s contributions to people of natural ecosystems. These impacts are partly driven by international trade and consumption abroad. The objective of this Communication is to introduce the concept of the ecosystem services footprint and provide a pilot calculation of the economic value of ecosystem services lost due to land conversion and production of crops, which are either directly traded internationally or enter supply chains of international trade and are induced by final demand abroad. We report the ecosystem services loss footprint for 49 countries and world regions based on a multi-regional input–output analysis. We found that ecosystem services loss due to crop production for international trade is valued at $5.1 trillion per year. Consumption in China, United States and Middle East induce the highest absolute loss of value of ecosystem services. The main exporters include Asia and Pacific, Indonesia and Africa. The largest trade flow was identified between the Asia and Pacific region and Western Europe with an embodied value of ecosystem services loss of $397 billion per year. Bringing to light the monetary value of ecosystem services lost due to international trade can stimulate and contribute to the design of strategies to reduce the impact of consumption and thus to lightening our footprint on natural ecosystems.

The valuation of ecosystems services in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China

AbstractThe valuation of ecosystem services is a powerful strategy on measuring the relations between natural resources and human capitals, to achieve the goal of protecting and promoting the positive contribution of nature. Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) is a series of statistics that incorporates the monetary value of ecosystem services, which turns the ecological data comparable to GDP. As a case study of the relationship between ecosystem services and economic development, this work focused on the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR) in the northern part of China, with 12 main cities including 104 districts and counties in the highest latitude. The GEP was calculated at the municipal level using 30 m‐resolution remote sensing image data and a framework tailored to the specific economic and ecological conditions of IMAR. The results showed that the distribution of GEP in IMAR at the municipal level in 2020 ranged from 10.4 billion to 1920.7 billion RMB Yuan, with an overall value of 3.85 trillion RMB Yuan, and that the ratio of GEP to GDP was 1.17. Among various GEP components, the value of ecosystem regulating services took an essential part as 75.7%. Basically, the spatial distribution of GEP was diverse. The cities with the highest GEP values were Hulunbeir, Xilin Gol League, and Chifeng, The GEP hotspots are mainly distributed in the Hulunbuir region. Based on the dual analysis of GEP and GDP, there is still high room for improvement in most cities in the IMAR region. The GEP and GDP in IMAR can be enhanced through carbon trading, water rights and grassland tourism industry, which is conducive to the sustainable development of environment and economy in IMAR.

Effect of forest cover change on ecosystem services in central highlands of Ethiopia: A case of Wof-Washa forest

Forest provides a wide range of ecosystem services and is considered as one of the major sources of livelihood for the local people. In recent years, forest cover in developing countries has been declining due to expansion of agricultural land and increasing human demand for forest products.The declining of forest cover significantly reduces forest ecosystem services, impacting environmental health and community well-being. Although many studies have shown declining of forest cover, the impact of declining forest cover on ecosystem services is not getting much attention in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of forest cover change on ecosystem service values in the Wof-Washa forest over the past 47 years. This study combined geospatial techniques and socioeconomic survey methods to assess the impact of land use and land cover (LULC) change on the value of ecosystem services. Ecosystem services were estimated using the benefit transfer method and socioeconomic assessment. A total of 184 households were surveyed with structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The results revealed that the provisioning services increased, while the regulating, supportive, and cultural services decreased. We find that about US$ 2 million were reduced due to LULC change, especially due to forest cover change. As forest cover decreased, the monetary value of ecosystem services and their benefits to local people declined significantly. The results reveal that deforestation is a major challenge that can reduce the value of ecosystem services. The results of this study are vital for developing effective forest conservation strategies before irreversible damage to ecosystem services.

Land use/land cover dynamics driven changes in woody species diversity and ecosystem services value in tropical rainforest frontier: A 20-year history

Land use/land cover (LULC) change is a prominent problem in tropical forests. However, the fundamental question of how much woody species diversity was lost and ecosystem services value (ESV) changed in response to LULC conversion has rarely been studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of LULC change on woody species diversity and ecosystem service value in the last two decades in the tropical rainforest frontier taking the case of Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve (SFBR), Southwest Ethiopia. Supervised image classification with a maximum likelihood approach was employed and 90 quadrants were laid for the woody species inventory. Diversity indices and descriptive statistics were computed and the non-parametric test (Kruskal-Wallis) was used to test the effect of LULC change on woody species diversity. The benefit transfer method was used to estimate the monetary value of ecosystem services adopting coefficients from empirical studies. The woody species richness, diversity, and evenness varied (X2 = 71.887, p < 0.05) across LULC types. The highest diversity was observed in the forest followed by cropland, coffee plantation, homegarden, and tea plantation. The estimated total ecosystem service value (ESV) was reduced by 21.56% from 309.11 million US$ in 1999 to 242.47 million US$ in 2020. Transition to mono-crop like tea plantations to maximize income not only altered native woody species but also induced the expansion of exotic species and reduced ESV, indicating a detrimental impact of LULC change on ecosystem integrity and stability in the future. Although LULC conversion destruct woody species diversity, cropland, coffee plantation and the homegardens were the refuge for some endemic and conservation priority species. Further, addressing contemporary challenges of LULC conversion through introducing mechanisms such as payment for ecosystem services that increase the economic and livelihood benefits of natural forests to local communities is important. Effective conservation and sustainable use approaches in which such species are systematically integrated into land use practices have to be planned and implemented. This could contribute to strengthening the conservation effectiveness of the SFBR of UNESCO and serve as a showcase for such conservation areas around the globe. The LULC challenges, particularly those emanating from local livelihood needs, could impede our efforts to conserve biodiversity, jeopardize the reliability of future projections, and have an impact on the conservation of threatened ecosystems, if it is not adequately addressed in time.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of Bamboo Carbon Stocks Regulation in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

ABSTRACT In the Western Highlands of Cameroon, natural ecosystems have been significantly degraded, fostering other land-use types like bamboo stands. However, knowledge of the potential contribution of bamboo to climate change mitigation within the framework of payment for ecosystem services remains limited. This study sought to identify bamboo richness and estimate carbon stocks of dominant bamboo species in the context of payment for ecosystem services. Data collection combined information from local informants and biomass data of the main bamboo species. Bamboo biomass was collected by destructive method. The results obtained allow the identification of nine bamboo taxa in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. We found for Bambusa vulgaris and Phyllostachys aurea 13,330 ± 7718 and 38,010 ± 3361 culm ha−1, respectively. Total carbon stocks of bamboo estimated at 122.71 tC ha−1 for B. vulgaris and 125.41 tC ha−1 for P. aurea were not significantly different between bamboo species (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = .908). For bamboo areas in the Western Highlands, the monetary value of ecosystem services linked to bamboo carbon stocks is 1503 ± 624 USD ha−1 ranging from 1486 to 1519 USD ha−1 depending on the bamboo species. The monetary value of bamboo carbon stocks potential should help decision makers to consider adopting bamboo species as one of the sustainable strategies to restore degraded ecosystems.

Recognising institutional context in simulating and generalising exchange values for monetary ecosystem accounts

The paper argues that monetary valuation of ecosystem services for ecosystem accounting needs to be sensitive to institutional context, when simulating markets to generate exchange values where none was available previously and when conducting value generalisation that extrapolates exchange values from specific sites to the whole acounting area. The same ecosystem type can contain different governance regimes or, conversely, a single governance regime may be present in many ecosystem types. Governance regimes are, in part, determined by ecosystem type and condition, but also by ecosystem access characteristics which vary over urban-rural gradients. An ecosystem service will not have a single price if costs of supply and transaction vary in space. This is generally true for all accounting compatible valuation methods if they are extrapolated across different market contexts, but require particular attention if markets are simulated for specific locations and then assumed to be generally valid for the accounting area. The paper exemplifies this for different institutional settings for exchange values of recreation services exploring the general recommendation in SEEA EA for making valuation methods sensitive to institutional context. Stated preference methods simulate markets for ecosystem services. The paper then reviews non-market stated preference valuation studies that have been sensitive to institutional design. Findings on institutional design are, therefore, specifically relevant for simulation of market exchange values for the purpose of compiling monetary ecosystem accounts. The paper finds that disregard for the institutional context in valuation for ecosystem accounting can lead to: (i) errors of generalisation/aggregation and (ii) downward ‘bias’ in simulated accounting prices (relative to the status quo of the institutional context).

Economic Evaluation of the Selected Ecologically Significant Element in Agriculture

Ecologically significant elements are essential not only for the development and quality of life in rural areas, but also for agricultural management. Services provided by these ecosystems ensure water retention in the landscape, a protection against erosion and an increase in biodiversity. In the context of current political debates, the importance and necessity of highlighting the value of ecologically significant elements is desirable from the farmer's point of view. This study inquires into costs and benefits while implementing a selected ecologically significant element - landscaping orchard in an agricultural area, taking into account not only the explicit benefits that could be marketed, but also the benefits floating from the ecosystem services. The case study found out that whilst complying with the general conditions to be able to apply for the State subsidies with the value of ecosystem services, the Net Present Value is positive for the given project. The monetary value of ecosystem services provided by the given landscaping orchard is estimated to be, according to Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (2020), 125 thous. CZK.year-1 per 1.6 ha. That is a considerable amount which should be noted not only by the farmers but also by the policy makers who should reconsider the subsidies for farmers and pay more attention to their financial needs.

Accounting of Ecosystem Services of Wetlands in Karnataka State, India

Wetlands are productive ecosystems, providing an array of services that sustain the well-being of dependent biota. Post industrialization and globalization era witnessed a spurt in the anthropogenic activities, leading to the degradation and decline of fragile ecosystems. This necessitates the conservation of vital ecosystems through sustainable management tenets, this requires an understanding of the livelihood support of ecosystems. The focus of the study, discussed in this article, is to understand the worth of wetlands through the accounting of provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. The provisioning services through accounting of tangible benefits (fish, fodder, water, etc.) considering residual values indicate an annual revenue of INR49.70 billion. Similarly, accounting of non-use values of ecosystems through the benefit transfer method indicates regulating and cultural services support of INR196.89 billion and INR37.93 billion per year, respectively. The annual flow of the total ecosystem supply value accounts for INR284.52 billion per year and the net present value (NPV) amounts to INR7320.6 billion, signifying the ecological, socio-cultural, and environmental support wetland provides to ecosystems in Karnataka. Appraisal of ecosystem services allows for adjusted national accounts, which reflect the output of ecosystem services as well as the depletion of natural resources and the degradation costs (externalized costs of the loss of ecosystem services) of ecosystems in economic terms, which will help raise awareness and provide a quantitative tool to evaluate the sustainability of policies towards prudent management and conservation of fragile livelihood-supporting ecosystems. The monetary valuation of ecosystem services can help in building a better understanding of their influence on well-being and can further facilitate information-driven decisions and policy reforms that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the judicious use of natural resources.

Quantification and comparison of ecosystem services of grasslands versus another fodder crop (maize) based on mineral nitrogen content in the 60–90 cm soil layer

Grasslands provide many ecosystem services. Apart from being a source of fodder for animals, grasslands regulate water and soil quality by reducing nitrogen emissions to the environment. The aim of the study was to determine the biophysical and monetary value of ecosystem services of grassland based on the “mineral nitrogen content in the soil layer 60–90 cm” indicator depending on the method of use and the type of soil, against the cultivation of maize for green fodder. The study area encompassed three provinces, different in terms of soil use, livestock population and intensity of grassland use. The investigation indicated that the value of ecosystem services provided by grasslands varied spatially and depended on the type of use and type of soil. In mineral soils, the lowest levels of this index were recorded from sites used for pasturing, while the highest levels were found under maize crops. In organic soils (without maize crops), the smallest losses of Nmin were observed in meadows while the highest losses were in pastures. Nmin losses in organic soils were higher than in mineral soils. The losses observed were highest in Opolskie Province, followed by Podlaskie Province, with the lowest losses in Lubelskie Province.

Perceived Economic Value of Ecosystem Services in the US Rio Grande Basin

In recent decades, the US Rio Grande Basin has experienced serious ecosystem degradation as a result of recurring severe droughts and a growing population. Monetary valuation of ecosystem services is essential for encouraging conservation where natural resources such as freshwater are limited. Research in this field is still very limited, and economic estimations of ecosystem services in the US Rio Grande Basin have not been undertaken extensively. This study adds to the existing contemporary literature by means of the willingness-to-pay evaluation. We found the mean household wiliness to pay of total ecosystem services across the Rio Grande Basin to amount to USD 62/year, and the average perceived economic value was estimated to be USD 26.2, USD 19.7, USD 8.1, and USD 7.1 yearly for conservation of habitat for wildlife, provision of freshwater supplies, recreational activities, and cultural heritage, respectively. The income and perceptions about the importance of various ecosystem services in the Rio Grande Basin were among the main determinants of respondents’ assessments. The findings provide an appropriate foundation for incorporating perceived economic value into watershed management and conservation.

Methods for monetary valuation of ecosystem services: A scoping review

Adequate assessment of ecosystem services is important for the development of policies and management plans related to forestry activities and the environment. Carefully identified ecosystem values can determine which options policy makers should prioritize to provide the greatest benefit. There are numerous methods used by researchers to evaluate ecosystem services. The most widely applied methods are monetary valuation methods, they are often deemed to be the most pragmatic language when it comes to communication with political and business institutions. The main goal of this review is to analyse available literature using the methodology particular to the scoping review approach in order to identify and describe valuation methods that can be applied for monetary assessment of ecosystem services. As a result of the scoping review, over 20 monetary valuation techniques (including several less common methods such as willingness to sell and Delphi method) were derived from 16 literature sources. In the process of compiling the range of different methods, a few flaws and gaps in the communication of methods were observed such as lack of consistency in the names of different methods and mixing up concepts. In addition, a few areas for future research are suggested.

Assessing the monetary value of ecosystem services provided by Gaung – Batang Tuaka Peat Hydrological Unit (KHG), Riau Province

Peatland plays a pivotal role in providing natural resource production and environmental services for human welfare. However, many studies have mentioned the impact of dryland cultivation in peatland on the shifting carbon balance in the ecosystem that clearly will alter the interaction of these two ecosystem services. The goal of this study, conducted under the framework of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) was to monetary value the ecosystem services (ES) of provisioning and carbon regulating services of the Gaung-Batang Tuaka Peat Hydrological Unit (KHG). We focused on KHG in response to Regulation No.57/2016, which highlights ecosystem boundary as a new basis for peatland management. Under the SEEA framework, ecosystem services become a benefit when utilized by ecosystem beneficiaries. In this case, provisioning services will be valued only for cultivated land, while carbon services calculated for the entire study area (global beneficiaries). Our study showed that the provisioning services and carbon services are under the trade-off condition, where the monetary value of provisioning services increased at a slower rate (0.50 million USD annually) than the monetary loss of the benefit of carbon services (5.28 million USD annually), greatly exceeded the monetary value of provisioning services. We highlight two main strategies to increase the monetary value of the KHG towards a synergy condition, namely increased value-added by reducing the productivity gap among ES beneficiaries and large-scale adoption of a profitable cultivation system with minimum peat disturbance. The main enablers required include financing access and incentives (e.g., reduce tax) and disincentives to allow for peat-adaptive commodities to compete with dryland commodities in the future market.

INTEGRAL VALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES RELATED TO WATER: HISTORICAL REVIEW APPROACH

The article describes a new idea based on the theoretical and methodological trends of the critical evaluation of ecosystem services, focused on the analysis of different global studies with the application of different methodologies, using 5 search equations and some questions were asked to answer them, which allowed the design of the background search. Its process and information analysis were made with the R and VOS viewer software. Finally, we illustrate as results 194 documents were analyzed from 2010 to 2020, showing that the most important thematic areas come from the environmental sciences and that integral valuation marks an important trend in recent years, incorporating new elements that traditional monetary valuation of ecosystem services did not consider, including spatial, sociological scenarios among others and new models of critical analysis, some methods emerge as is the case of cellular automata from which new investigations may appear for the plural or integral evaluation. The state of the art of integral valuation of the ecosystem services related to Water was built based on bibliometric analysis, using the search for scientific documents in the Scopus.

Spatial cost-benefit analysis of blue restoration and factors driving net benefits globally.

Marine coastal ecosystems, commonly referred to as blue ecosystems, provide valuable services to society but are under increasing threat worldwide due to a variety of drivers, including eutrophication, development, land-use change, land reclamation, and climate change. Ecological restoration is sometimes necessary to facilitate recovery in coastal ecosystems. Blue restoration (i.e., in marine coastal systems) is a developing field, and projects to date have been small scale and expensive, leading to the perception that restoration may not be economically viable. We conducted a global cost-benefit analysis to determine the net benefits of restoring coral reef, mangrove, saltmarsh, and seagrass ecosystems, where the benefit is defined as the monetary value of ecosystem services. We estimated costs from published restoration case studies and used an adjusted-value-transfer method to assign benefit values to these case studies. Benefit values were estimated as the monetary value provided by ecosystem services of the restored habitats. Benefits outweighed costs (i.e., there were positive net benefits) for restoration of all blue ecosystems. Mean benefit:cost ratios for ecosystem restoration were eight to 10 times higher than prior studies of coral reef and seagrass restoration, most likely due to the more recent lower cost estimates we used. Among ecosystems, saltmarsh had the greatest net benefits followed by mangrove; coral reef and seagrass ecosystems had lower net benefits. In general, restoration in nations with middle incomes had higher (eight times higher in coral reefs and 40 times higher in mangroves) net benefits than those with high incomes. Within an ecosystem type, net benefit varied with restoration technique (coral reef and saltmarsh), ecosystem service produced (mangrove and saltmarsh), and project duration (seagrass). These results challenge the perceptions of the low economic viability of blue restoration and should encourage further targeted investment in this field.