Ecological Economics : Valuation Of Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are the beneficial outcomes, for the natural environment or people that result from ecosystem functions. Some examples of ecosystem services are support of the food chain, harvesting of animals or plants, and the provision of clean water or scenic views. In order for an ecosystem to provide services to humans, some interaction with, or at least some appreciation by humans is required. Thus, functions of ecosystems are value-neutral, while their services have value to society. Ecosystem functions are the physical, chemical, and biological processes or attributes that contribu…