Synthesis of Two Decades of US EPA’s Ecosystem Services Research to Inform Environmental, Community and Sustainability Decision Making

Sustainability

Chloe A. Jackson¹  Matthew C. Harwell² 

[1] US EPA, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA;US EPA, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Newport, OR 97365, USA;

关键词: ecosystem services;    conceptual framework;    final ecosystem goods and services;    environmental decision making;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su13158249

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

A conceptual framework is helpful to understand what types of ecosystem services (ES) information is needed to support decision making. Principles of structured decision making are helpful for articulating how ES consideration can influence different elements in a given decision context resulting in changes to the environment, human health, and well-being. This article presents a holistic view of an ES framework, summarizing two decades of the US EPA’s ES research, including recent advances in final ES, those ES that provide benefits directly to people. Approximately 150 peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and book chapters characterize a large ES research portfolio. In introducing framework elements and the suite of relevant US EPA research for each element, both challenges and opportunities are identified. Lessons from research to advance each of the final ES elements can be useful for identifying gaps and future science needs. Ultimately, the goal of this article is to help the reader develop an operational understanding of the final ES conceptual framework, an understanding of the state of science for a number of ES elements, and an introduction to some ES tools, models, and frameworks that may be of use in their case-study applications or decision-making contexts.

【 授权许可】

Unknown