Towards a Threat Assessment Framework for Ecosystem Services

Martine Maron; Matthew G E Mitchell; Rebecca K Runting; Jonathan R Rhodes; Georgina M Mace; David A Keith; James E M Watson

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2016.12.011

Towards a Threat Assessment Framework for Ecosystem Services

Trends Ecol Evol. 2017 Apr;32(4):240-248. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.12.011. Epub 2017 Feb 9.

Authors

Martine Maron¹, Matthew G E Mitchell², Rebecca K Runting³, Jonathan R Rhodes³, Georgina M Mace⁴, David A Keith⁵, James E M Watson⁶

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Liu Institute for Global Issues, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
³ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK.
⁵ Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Global Conservation Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY 10460 USA.

PMID: 28190532
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.12.011

Abstract

How can we tell if the ecosystem services upon which we rely are at risk of being lost, potentially permanently? Ecosystem services underpin human well-being, but we lack a consistent approach for categorizing the extent to which they are threatened. We present an assessment framework for assessing the degree to which the adequate and sustainable provision of a given ecosystem service is threatened. Our framework combines information on the states and trends of both ecosystem service supply and demand, with reference to two critical thresholds: demand exceeding supply and ecosystem service 'extinction'. This framework can provide a basis for global, national, and regional assessments of threat to ecosystem services, and accompany existing assessments of threat to species and ecosystems.

Keywords: assessment; ecosystem service demand; ecosystem service supply; ecosystem services; extinction; restoration; sustainability.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Conservation of Natural Resources*
Ecosystem*