Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Publisher

Ecological Society of America

Publication Date

2005

Volume

3

Issue

1

Disciplines

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Abstract

National scale aggregate indicators of ecosystem services are useful for stimulating and supporting a broad public discussion about trends in the provision of these services. There are important considerations involved in producing an aggregate indicator, including whether the scientific and technological capacity exists, how to address varying perceptions of the societal importance of different services, and how to communicate information about these services to both decision makers and the general public. Although the challenges are formidable, they are not insurmountable. Quantification of ecosystem services and dissemination of information to decision makers and the public is critical for the responsible and sustainable management of natural resources.

Comments

Copyright 2005 by the Ecological Society of America. Laura A. Meyerson, Jill Baron, Jerry M. Melillo, Robert J. Naiman, Robin I. O'Malley, Gordon Orians, Margaret A. Palmer, Alexander SP Pfaff, Steven W. Running, and Osvaldo E. Sala 2005. Aggregate measures of ecosystem services: can we take the pulse of nature? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 3: 56–59.

DOI

10.1890/1540-9295(2005)003[0056:AMOESC]2.0.CO;2

Download

Share

COinS