A need for equal consideration of ecosystem disservices and services when valuing nature; countering arguments against disservices

Authors

T. Schaubroeck

Reference

Ecosystem Services, vol. 26, pp. 95-97, 2017

Description

The ecosystem disservice concept has been introduced, reflecting negative effects of ecosystems on human well-being. However, it does not really seem embraced in some current relevant valuations of nature. In two prominent policy-oriented papers that present clear messages in favour of nature, more precisely ecosystems, consideration of negative effects on human well-being, whether or not called disservices, seems minimized or neglected. Consequently, in this work, arguments are brought forward that counter made statements against the concept of disservices or certain disservices under certain conditions. More importantly, in any nature valuation, it is crucial to explicitly state which services and disservices are considered, i.e. to be transparent, this to shed light on the subjectivity of derived policy messages. In general, subjectivity, e.g. through nature liking, should ideally only be characterized through cultural (dis)services.

Link

doi:10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.06.009