Ecological Economic Modelling For Biodiversity Conservation

Presents the state-of-the-art of model-based integration of ecology and economics in the field of biodiversity conservation.

Is it posible linking biodiversity to macro economic models, thereby increasing our understanding of how economic activities affect biodiversity – et vice versa? It is the key question that this report aims at answering on the basis of existing statistics, indicators and models in the Scandinavian countries. The economic sectors identified as relevant for biodiversity are: agriculture; forestry; fishery; tourism; transport; and energy (especially, hydropower). The main pressure types analysed include: habitat loss and degradation; climate change; excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution; over-exploitation and unsustainable use; and invasive alien species. A set of recommendations for further work are made focusing on impacts of economic activities on biodiversity.

'This is a very readable introduction to the ecological economics of biodiversity. Particularly useful is the careful presentation of four major concepts of biodiversity (genes, species, ecosystems, and functional uses) and their valuation. the authors address the concerns that biodiversity cannot (and should not) be valued, but then present the major economic valuation approaches that have been applied by economists to this thorny issue. A short volume (one of its virtues), the book is not designed to be a cook book that offers detailed explanations of various valuation approaches. Rather, the book should be seen as identifying the inputs or ingredients of a successful analysis. the authors pull together an impressive list of past valuation studies of biodiversity and biological resources and discuss their results, their coherence and the reasons why values may differ (often because seemingly similar studies really measure quite different attributes). In fact, this form of meta-analysis is one of the major contributions of the volume. the book ends with a short but useful chapter of conclusions and policy implications, thereby reminding us that the reason for the analysis of biodiversity uses and values is to design effective policies to ensure that more, rather than less, biodiversity is conserved for future generations. This book is highly recommended for all those who are interested in a better understanding of what biodiversity is, the likely economic values associated with it, and why it is being lost at such an alarming rate.' - John A. Dixon, the World Bank, US the loss of biodiversity has put increasing pressure on the stability and continuity of ecosystems, and their ability to provide goods and services to mankind. This valuable new book addresses this issue and presents an integrated ecological-economic perspective on the analysis of biodiversity loss and conservation. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach and attempts both to provide a definition of biodiversity benefits as well as investigate alternative perspectives on biodiversity. the book also presents a classification of biodiversity values and effectively illustrates which economic valuation methods can best measure which type of biodiversity value.

Human induced biodiversity loss is greater now than at any time in human history, with extinctions occurring at rates hundreds of times higher than background extinction levels. The field of biodiversity economics analyses the socio-economic causes of and solutions to biodiversity loss by combining the disciplines of economics, ecology and biology. This field has shown a remarkable degree of transformation over the past four decades and now incorporates the analysis of the entire diversity of biological resources within the living world. Biodiversity Economics presents a series of papers that show how bio-economic analysis can be applied to the examination and evaluation of the problem of various forms of biodiversity loss. Containing insightful bio-economic research by some of prominent practitioners in the field, this volume will be an essential research tool to those working on biodiversity issues in the academic, policy and private sectors.

'Should be essential reading for all those who wish to realize truly sustainable development in this new millennium.' From the foreword by Achim Steiner UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director United Nations Environment Programme 'Fills a much needed gap in the literature ... The chapters include contributions by leading academics and policy experts which make for one of the most authoritative books in this field.' Andreas Kontoleon University Lecturer and Director of MPhil in Environmental Policy University of Cambridge This is the most comprehensive book to address the economic soci.

In recent years, there has been a marked proliferation in the literature on economic approaches to ecosystem management, which has created a subsequent need for real understanding of the scope and the limits of the economic approaches to ecosystems and

Human well-being relies critically on ecosystem services provided by nature. Examples include water and air quality regulation, nutrient cycling and decomposition, plant pollination and flood control, all of which are dependent on biodiversity. They are predominantly public goods with limited or no markets and do not command any price in the conventional economic system, so their loss is often not detected and continues unaddressed and unabated. This in turn not only impacts human well-being, but also seriously undermines the sustainability of the economic system. It is against this background that TEEB: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity project was set up in 2007 and led by the United Nations Environment Programme to provide a comprehensive global assessment of economic aspects of these issues. This book, written by a team of international experts, represents the scientific state of the art, providing a comprehensive assessment of the fundamental ecological and economic principles of measuring and valuing ecosystem services and biodiversity, and showing how these can be mainstreamed into public policies. This volume and subsequent TEEB outputs will provide the authoritative knowledge and guidance to drive forward the biodiversity conservation agenda for the next decade.