Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services of Soils
نویسنده
چکیده
Estelle J. Dominati AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand ABSTRACT: The concepts of natural capital, ecological infrastructure, and ecosystem services are reviewed for soils and managed landscapes. Translating theoretical frameworks and insights addressing soil functioning into operational models and tools for resource management remains a challenge. Six general principles (steps) of a new methodology for quantifying soil ecosystem services are presented: differentiate soil services from the supporting processes; identify the key soil properties and processes behind each soil service; distinguish natural capital from added or built capital; identify where and how external drivers affect natural capital stocks; analyse the impact of degradation processes on soil natural capital; base any economic valuation on measured proxies. The methodology is then demonstrated for a pastoral soil under dairy use. The methodology and examples presented here comprise a work in progress but represent an advance in defi ning and quantifying soil ecosystem services. Finally, applications of an ecosystems approach to resource management are discussed, including challenges and future options. The development of technologies for land use should, for example, switch from overcoming limitations to investing in ecological infrastructure that will increase the natural capital of soil and enhance the provision of ecosystem services.
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