Ecosystem Services Valuation

Ecology & Ecosystems 1997

Discoverers: Robert Costanza

Overview

First comprehensive attempt to estimate the global economic value of ecosystem services, calculating approximately $33 trillion per year (1997 dollars).

Significance

Translated ecological functions into economic language, making the case for conservation in terms decision-makers understand.

Methodology

Meta-analysis of existing studies combined with spatial analysis across 16 biome types and 17 ecosystem service categories.

Impact