Valuing nature Flashcards
(25 cards)
What are four indicators for biodiversity state?
- Species’ population trends
- Extinction risk
- Habitat extent and condition
- Community composition
What are five indicators of biodiversity pressures?
- Resource consumption
- Invasive alien species
- Nitrogen pollution
- Overexploitation
- Climate change impacts
What are four indicators for (human) responses to biodiversity pressures
- Extent and biodiversity coverage of protected areas
- Sustainable forest management
- Policy responses to invasive alien species
- Biodiversity-related aid
How is biodiversity state, pressure and response changing over time?
- State of biodiversity is declining
- Pressure is increasing
- Response is increasing (but no associated change in declining biodiversity loss)
How does improved biodiversity state promote an even better state of biodiversity (positive feedback loop)?
Enhanced biodiversity delivers more benefits -> benefits generate support for effective responses -> responses reduce pressure -> less pressure helps biodiversity to recover
What does IPBES stand for?
Intergovernmental science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
What is IPBES?
An intergovernmental body that assesses global biodiversity and ecosystem services to support science-based policy decisions. Often called the “IPCC for biodiversity”.
What are the four main goals of IPBES?
Assessments: on specific themes (e.g. “Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services”, “Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production”); methodological issues; assessments at both regional and global levels
Policy Support: identify policy-relevant tools and methodologies; facilitating their development and use
Building capacity and knowledge: to build capacity for and strengthen the use of science in policy making
Communications and outreach: ensuring the widest reach and impact of their work
Why is valuing ecosystems important
Valuing ecosystem services can…
- Raise awareness and build public and government support for better decisions
- Demonstrate additional benefits from conservation of species/sites/habitats
- Identify the costs and benefits of conservation and spread them more fairly among stakeholders
- Enhance economic sustainability and human well-being
Has the biodiversity state improved with increasing responses/conservation attempts?
Not -> Butchart et al (2010) found that, while there have been increasing efforts in areas often considered part of traditional conservation, such as establishing and expanding protected areas and promoting sustainable forest management, these actions, alongside other responses, were not sufficient to counteract the increasing pressures on biodiversity and prevent the overall decline from continuing at a rate that missed the 2010 target.
What are the three levels at which we can measure ecosystem value? Which is most commonly measured?
- Core processes (e.g., photosynthesis)
- Beneficial processes (e.g., primary production)
- Benefits (e.g., timber)
The tangible benefit itself is most commonly measured.
Why are ecosystem services often excluded from economic decisions?
Because they don’t enter the market and are typically provided for free, despite offering major benefits.
What are three key ecosystem services often undervalued in markets?
Climate regulation, pollination, and storm protection.
Can we put a value on nature?
Yes, but it’s complex. Economists estimate the difference between two states using marginal values, which depend on how much of a resource is already available.
What is the formula for social cost in economics?
Social cost = Private cost + External cost.
What is the formula for social benefit?
Private benefit + External benefit.
What does Net Social Benefit represent?
The positive difference between social benefit and social cost.
Why are environmental problems often economic in nature?
Because ecosystem services are positive externalities not reflected in markets (private benefits often greater than private costs, and externalities are not accounted for)
Why does ecosystem degradation not appear in GDP?
Because the loss of natural capital is not counted in traditional economic accounts.
What often causes ecosystems to be converted or exploited?
Private benefits > private costs, and externalities are ignored, so net social benefit isn’t maximised.
What did The Dasgupta Review say about GDP?
GDP is no longer fit for purpose — it fails to reflect natural resource depletion.
What happens to Net Domestic Product (NDP) when GDP is adjusted for natural capital loss?
It often shows a decline, revealing true economic degradation.
What is natural capital?
The natural resources and environmental features in a given area, regarded as having economic value or providing a service to humankind.
What is the core idea of the Bateman & Mace (2020) Natural Capital Framework?
The framework shows how natural capital (from Sun and Earth) supports ecosystem services, which combine with human and manufactured capital to produce goods and services for well-being.
Decisions must balance resource supply and human demand, use economic valuation, and consider sustainability, equity, and feedbacks to avoid depleting natural capital over time.
