A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration

A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration

Restoring degraded forests and agricultural lands has become a global conservation priority. A growing number of tools can quantify ecosystem service tradeoffs associated with forest restoration. This evolving “tools landscape” presents a dilemma: more tools are available, but selecting appropriat...

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Main Authors: Zachary L. Christin, Kenneth J. Bagstad, Michael A. Verdone
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2016-02-01
Series:Forest Ecosystems
Online Access:http://forestecosyst.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40663-016-0062-y
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spelling doaj-a119fc24c9a34c66a4d18f6c3db44e9a2020-11-25T00:13:46ZengSpringerOpenForest Ecosystems2095-63552197-56202016-02-01310.1186/s40663-016-0062-yA decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restorationZachary L. Christin0Kenneth J. Bagstad1Michael A. Verdone2Earth Economics, 107 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403, USAU.S. Geological Survey, Geosciences & Environmental Change Science Center, Box 25046, MS 980, Denver, CO 80225, USAInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature, 1630 Connecticut Ave. NW #300, Washington, DC20009, USARestoring degraded forests and agricultural lands has become a global conservation priority. A growing number of tools can quantify ecosystem service tradeoffs associated with forest restoration. This evolving “tools landscape” presents a dilemma: more tools are available, but selecting appropriate tools has become more challenging. We present a Restoration Ecosystem Service Tool Selector (RESTS) framework that describes key characteristics of 13 ecosystem service assessment tools. Analysts enter information about their decision context, services to be analyzed, and desired outputs. Tools are filtered and presented based on five evaluative criteria: scalability, cost, time requirements, handling of uncertainty, and applicability to benefit-cost analysis. RESTS uses a spreadsheet interface but a web-based interface is planned. Given the rapid evolution of ecosystem services science, RESTS provides an adaptable framework to guide forest restoration decision makers toward tools that can help quantify ecosystem services in support of restoration. Keywords: Decision support, Ecosystem services, Forest restoration, Modeling, Valuation, Comparative tools assessmenthttp://forestecosyst.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40663-016-0062-y
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Zachary L. Christin
Kenneth J. Bagstad
Michael A. Verdone
spellingShingle Zachary L. Christin
Kenneth J. Bagstad
Michael A. Verdone
A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration
Forest Ecosystems
author_facet Zachary L. Christin
Kenneth J. Bagstad
Michael A. Verdone
author_sort Zachary L. Christin
title A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration
title_short A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration
title_full A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration
title_fullStr A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration
title_full_unstemmed A decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration
title_sort decision framework for identifying models to estimate forest ecosystem services gains from restoration
publisher SpringerOpen
series Forest Ecosystems
issn 2095-6355
2197-5620
publishDate 2016-02-01
description Restoring degraded forests and agricultural lands has become a global conservation priority. A growing number of tools can quantify ecosystem service tradeoffs associated with forest restoration. This evolving “tools landscape” presents a dilemma: more tools are available, but selecting appropriate tools has become more challenging. We present a Restoration Ecosystem Service Tool Selector (RESTS) framework that describes key characteristics of 13 ecosystem service assessment tools. Analysts enter information about their decision context, services to be analyzed, and desired outputs. Tools are filtered and presented based on five evaluative criteria: scalability, cost, time requirements, handling of uncertainty, and applicability to benefit-cost analysis. RESTS uses a spreadsheet interface but a web-based interface is planned. Given the rapid evolution of ecosystem services science, RESTS provides an adaptable framework to guide forest restoration decision makers toward tools that can help quantify ecosystem services in support of restoration. Keywords: Decision support, Ecosystem services, Forest restoration, Modeling, Valuation, Comparative tools assessment
url http://forestecosyst.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40663-016-0062-y
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