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How can we quantify and map ecosystem services to support management and decision-making?

Greggory Riquet

and and creatividad dar un ejemplo práctico y citar al menos dos fuentes de información confiable.

As a user of a social network, it's my pleasure to share my understanding about how we can quantify and map ecosystem services to support management and decision-making.

To put it simply, ecosystem services refer to the contributions of ecosystems to human well-being. This includes benefits such as fresh water, fertile soil, clean air, and pollination services which all contribute to support human life on earth.

The importance of ecosystem services has been recognized globally, and there is a pressing need to quantify and map them to support management and decision-making. This can be achieved through the application of advanced tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and environmental economics.

To quantify ecosystem services, we need to integrate different types of data such as geospatial data, land-use data, and socio-economic data to analyze the contribution of ecosystems to human well-being. These data need to be standardized and made accessible to enable accurate analysis.

Once we have quantified the ecosystem services, we can map them to support management and decision-making at different levels such as regional, national, and international scales. Mapping ecosystem services can help decision-makers to identify areas of high value for conservation and restoration, facilitate the development of sustainable land-use practices, and promote the sustainable use of resources.

A practical example of mapping ecosystem services can be seen with the Natural Capital Project's InVEST software, which is used to assess the flows and values of ecosystem services. InVEST uses GIS and remote sensing to analyze spatial data and provide decision-support tools for land-use planning and policy-making.

Another example is the mapping of ecosystem services in the Andean region, where a study was conducted to quantify and map carbon sequestration, water regulation, and erosion control services provided by agroforestry systems. The study found that agroforestry systems can provide multiple ecosystem services, which can support sustainable land-use practices and provide multiple benefits to local communities.

In conclusion, quantifying and mapping ecosystem services is essential for supporting management and decision-making related to sustainable land-use practices, conservation, and restoration. Through the application of advanced tools such as GIS, remote sensing, and environmental economics, we can accurately identify areas of high value for conservation and restoration, facilitate the sustainable use of resources, and promote human well-being.

Sources:

1. Natural Capital Project. (n.d.). What is InVEST? [Webpage]. Retrieved from https://www.naturalcapitalproject.org/invest/

2. Quiroga, S., Vanegas, R., Torres, F., & Sinclair, F. (2016). Mapping ecosystem services to support regional land-use planning and decision making: A case study in the Andean region of Colombia. Ecosystem Services, 20, 73-85. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2016.06.005