Seeing the hidden services of nature
International team of ecosystem researchers develop new
approach for managing ecological trade-offs
Following an intense study of agricultural ecosystems near
Montreal, a new tool that enables the simultaneous analysis and
management of a wide range of ecological services has been
developed by Ciara Raudsepp-Hearne of 海角社区鈥檚
Department of Geography, Elena Bennett of the 海角社区 School of
Environment, and Garry Peterson of the Stockholm Resilience Centre
at Stockholm University. Environmental management typically focuses
on nature鈥檚 resources like food, wildlife and timber, but can miss
hidden ecosystem services such as water purification, climate
moderation and the regulation of nutrient cycling.
The researchers show that ecosystems that maximize agriculture
offer fewer hidden ecosystems services than more diverse
agricultural landscapes. Ciara Raudsepp-Hearne says 鈥淟andscapes
managed to provide a lot of one service, such as pig production,
can be costly because they have fewer of the hidden services, such
as the regulation of nutrient pollution, which are also important
to people.鈥澛� They also show that in some areas high amounts of
agricultural production can go hand in hand with the production of
other ecosystem services. The researchers framework can be used to
help identify 鈥渂est-practice areas鈥� and contribute to developing
effective resource policies.
Bennett believes Quebec manages its environment fairly well, but
that there are still trade-offs and costs to be recognized. She
says 鈥渢he big local message is that in terms of the landscape we
have to be thinking about more than just one thing 鈥� we can鈥檛 just
see corn, we have to see deer hunting, nutrients, and tourism,
too.鈥�
The area surrounding Montreal was selected because it is typical of
near-urban agricultural landscapes in many parts of the world. 鈥淚
hope these methods can be applied to many other landscapes around
the world,鈥� Peterson says, adding the tool will help decision
makers trying to balance the goals of farmers, rural villagers and
exurban commuters.
The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Science on March 1, 2010.