Despite the growing popularity of the concept of ecosystem services, policy makers and practitioners continue to struggle with the challenge of translating it into practice. Drawing on a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, this volume takes up the challenge to provide a framework for the effective implementation of simple concepts into complex ecosystem-related decision making. Addressing the measurement, valuation and governance of ecosystem services, the book is specifically designed to guide students and policy-makers from definitions and measurements to applications in terms of policy instruments and governance arrangements. Each chapter discusses key methodological approaches, illustrating their applications at various scales by drawing on case studies from around the world. Presenting a range of perspectives from across many fields, this text ultimately considers the crucial question of how ecosystem service delivery can be safeguarded for generations to come.

This book draws on a range of interdisciplinary perspectives to provide a framework for translating concepts into ecosystem-related decision making and practice.

About the Author
Jetske A. Bouma is Senior Environmental Economist at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University Amsterdam, and Senior Policy Researcher at the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency. Her research focusses on the design and evaluation of policy instruments and analysis of the conditions for collective action and self-enforcement. She teaches graduate courses on the governance of ecosystem services and advises policy-makers on the use of policy instruments and decision-making tools. Pieter J. H. van Beukering is an Associate Professor in the field of environmental economics at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University Amsterdam. Most of his research work takes place in Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Africa, with a strong focus on natural resource management, economic valuation and poverty alleviation. He teaches graduate courses focussing on the valuation of ecosystem services and environmental economics.

Reviews
'This excellent collection of essays has been carefully crafted to introduce the reader to all aspects of an ecosystem services approach to decision making; from natural science, through the social sciences and on to governance. Each chapter is highly accessible while the whole builds to provide a coherent introduction to the range of necessary issues yielding a collection which will be of great value to the student, teacher and practitioner.' Ian Bateman, University of East Anglia
'In the intersection of public economics and ecology there is a crying need for good guidance and a robust analytical framework for the effective implementation of simple concepts into complex ecosystem-related decision-making. This book fills that need admirably, and will help implement solutions - ethically sound, ecologically necessary and economically informed solutions - the need for which grows more urgent by the day.' Pavan Sukhdev, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Geneva
'The book is a delightful read and is very coherent. It will be of considerable value to conservationists, students, teachers and policy developers throughout the world.' M. J. C. Crabbe, The Biologist
'It will be an invaluable reference source that collects some of the major theoretical and practical ideas important in this field under one cover.' Robert Costanza, The Quarterly Review of Biology



Book Information
ISBN 9781107062887
Author Jetske A. Bouma
Format Hardback
Page Count 278
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 720g
Dimensions(mm) 253mm * 180mm * 17mm