Incorporating Ecosystem Goods and Services in Environmental Planning: A Literature Review of Definitions, Classification and Operational Approaches
Abstract
This paper reviews historical development of Ecosystem Goods and Services (EGS) concepts and the range of definitions, conceptual models, classification schemes and operational approaches that have been put forth in the literature. The intent is to lay the foundation for development of a framework that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) can use to incorporate consideration of ecosystem goods and services in water resource project planning and management, and identify any research needs to accommodate that goal. While the notion of ecosystem goods and services benefiting humans is not new, it has become increasingly formalized for consideration in environmental policy analysis and is closely tied to concepts in ecosystem-based management of natural resources. Despite this, no single conceptual model or classification system has been accepted, because the particular purpose, circumstance and decision context will dictate the most appropriate definitions and models to apply. This review and the corresponding technical note (Murray et al. 2013) are the first products in a series of reports for the Ecosystem Goods and Services Project. Subsequent related products researching policies, data and tools, interagency coordination and an assessment framework are in process, and will be released over the next several years.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA584398
Entities
People
- David J. Tazik
- Elizabeth O. Murray
- Janet Cushing
- Lisa Wainger
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center