Table Of Content2A490
a‘e4 UCNAIMVEBRRSIITDY GEOF a4 af . eBnepietennm ental pak ALWTAEGRERNAI NGEN (NaL Y ¢? )
: UNEP WCMC
REVIEW ON THE ECONOMICS OF
BIODIVERSITY LOSS:
SCOPING THE SCIENCE
ENV/070307/2007/486089/UE/TB2
FINAL REPORT (draft version as of 19 May 2008)
Balmford, A., Rodrigues, A. (University of Cambridge),
Matt Walpole (WCMC), ten Brink, P., Kettunen, M. (IEEP)
& Braat, L. and de Groot, R. (Alterra)
May 2008
This report has been produced for the European Commission under Contract
ENV/070307/2007/486089/ETU/B2.
Scientific lead:
Andrew Balmford and Ana S.L. Rodrigues
Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge,
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Partners:
Patrick ten Brink and Marianne Kettunen
IEEP — Institute of European Environmental Policy, Brussels, Belgium
Matt Walpole
UNEP — World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Leon Braat and Rudolf de Groot
Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The
Netherlands
External experts:
The expertes that provided direct input into this project are listed under each
theme.
Acknowledgements:
To all the experts that contributed as authors, reviewers, contributors or otherwise
provided information useful to the thematic reviews. Also to the interns that worked
on each task (see participant list in each theme)
To Ben Phalan and Bernardo Strassburg for helping with case-studies for the glossy
report. To the members of the Zoology Department that created the logistical
conditions for this project, in particular Julian Jacobs, Nanna, Neil, David Clarke, and
Keith Griffiths.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 DNPRODUG TION: sesctsrcccesscsoctacsesesonsendaze atoccae tten cetteteasns cnoecl cceatseuauusccesecessunccesnscseucsecsesnses e 1
1.1 RACONK OWI NG Ei cccescacesccsssesaccncescaceauconscerstceneacscnnacteo tntcse stceearcemcneatcetseececnecrtaaetrneetreensce 1
1.2 This Scoping the Science project..............csccsssscescessesecssssssessssseesssseeseeseessesseesees 1
1.3 AMSG PO Hits eescecteenccess cece sei shcea vatsenssueeceesacsctecsseeeterseetectaddtatstascheossussceseccacesscaecvecyoes 2
2 A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE REVIEW......cscssssssssssssssssssssssssscsssssssseesaseseesees 4
2.1 Why we need a conceptual framework.................cssssscsccsssssccssceceeseeesseeseeeseseees 4
2.2 Initial considerations and assuMptions,.................scsccsssscsseseesssscecsscesssssssesseseesess 4
2.2.1 Waltin Wd NOUUre nc .ccseccosceccencenconcsesscceseaceseezsencvessessontcccenescecesesesussastecrsasecse 4
Dele, SCOPE Of ING REVIEW scccccsessescesessssseresccstsccesosceasscessecresvatsuoestsreccesctecctsatsssttecesees 6
2.2.3 Valuuing marginal ChANGe...........ccecsecsssesssceceecsescssscescsescsesssecsscssscssessecsonceees /
2.2.4 The need to be spatially explicit ......c.sssssssessesscsessesscssessesesscssccsescesessesseeseeeees 8
2.3 The conceptual framework..............csscssccsccessessssssssssssecsescecesesessessesssesseesecseeseesees 8
2.3.1 Defining appropriate policy actions based on the drivers of loss............... 10
Deed, Defining the counterfactual states Of the WOT ...........ssssseeeeseseseeseessoees 11
2.3.3 Quantifying and mapping how the biophysical provision of benefits is
Affected by the policy ActiON ...........sesscsecseccesesccsccscesccsesceccesescsscescsecssesssecsecsecscesocseces 12
2.3.4 Quantifying and mapping the economic value of changes in benefits
derived from the Policy ACtiON..........s..cseoceesceesseesssessesssessseccsesssecssnscscssecesessscssecssnscenss 16
2.3.5 Quantifying and mapping the overall economic value of changes in
benefits derived from the Policy ACtON .......s.ssscseeseeseersessesssssesssescnsesscessesseessesseseasees 21
2.3.6 Quantifying and mapping the costs of Policy ACTION .....s.sssssseesseesereesereees 22
Deaf, Quantifying and mapping the net economic consequences of policy
action 23
2.3.8 Evaluating the adequacy/desirability of the policy ACtiON.L.........1.00.00.00000 24
2.4 Summary of key points from the conceptual framework ..................sssseeees 24
2.5 PACIC NLP A NUS eesecesscecsescuecosecocescerseetssesctsuccccastessscadseacscnccaceccercacesarsstocascuccssttencscasses 25
3. A STRATEGY FOR REVIEWING KNOWLEDGE ON THE LINKS BETWEEN WILD
INATURE/ANDIFIUMAIN WELUBBING ceccorecccstncsscesesccstsesecssesroescssssesecsesesecttecscossessecsosaccescacceesee Di
3.1 Mhe nee dilo rials tratesy ,ccccccce er ececceetcssoaneenacteacseacccecerastaasuassacesarmtscateatsanceesacccere 27
3.2 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment as a starting POint .............cscseseeees 27
3.3 The need to avoid double COUNTING ...............s.ssssccssssssscsssessssssssesssccssssssseaseaesrees 28
3.4 Proposed classification of ecosystem processes and benefits ..............s.s0s00000 29
3.5 _ Partitioning the links between wild nature and human wellbeing as a
basis for the thematic reviewS...............ccsccssccscessssscsscsscsssssssscssssssscsssssssessessesseeseeseeseeeees 35
Op INCIT IC REVIEW Slecsccerscccecceccesessseetnaccaccessasscarsacccasncvessocesdeensacaseaenactacsatsassacsansaces 38
3.7 _ Relationship between the proposed classification and the Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment framework..............sccsscssscssssscsscsscescescesssscsscssesessnsesssasensesseences 40
3.8 Relationship between the proposed classification and the Total
Economic Value framework ..............ssccssccssccssessscssssssssssesscessescessesessncsenssesecesseesscensens 42
Seeman EeA LGUIPDCA THLA S fesee cescsnesacsatesencestaansasacveccdcnesaaransassasactassascerssechonvanescsaacesessessscessssaemnsea 45
iil
4 THEMATIC REVIEWS. ......sscssssssssssssesssssesecensesssssestesssssescessessesssscssnssscsacensecsecsensoessessaseass 46
4.1 Wild crop pollimation...............scssccsscsssssssssscssscssssssssssssscssssessseesesseessesasenssenseessens 48
4.1.1 Why is this process important for human wellbeing? .....s.scsesereererereees 48
4.1.2 What are the overall trends in the provision of wild crop pollination?..... 48
4.1.3 How is the provision of wild crop pollination affected by changes in
WEIN ALUT.C Oicncsesconsscsoncssaaccaccacscesscsonstotastostssodcetasetesestacsctaascocssbassssseceseccsnncessonssacnssanneta= 49
4.1.4 What are the main threats to the provisioning of wild crop
POLLINATION? ......cceccerrsscsessssccsscesccccsccescccnsccsscsaccnscscescssscseacsoncesscenseseassasensccecsscccnneenaeenees 52
4.1.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provision of wild crop pollination?........ 52
4.1.6 Can we quantify and map the global provision of this wild crop
Pollination and how it Might ChANGE? ...ccscsccsscsersceseeeereserseesesserssssnsnseeesscensensesaees 53
4.1.7 Insights for CcOnOMicC VALUATION.......c.sccssccsssssseereerseesecesseescenssensssseeesesnseenees 57
4.1.8 SOMME HEVIMESOUTCES scestesscrsesrereeqcotescactaeceesecestsccs ranccstoeceocssececoccoscsscssancezesansees 57
4.1.9 IRATTICIDANISecresncenscstectrectrtrretetscatsacssecsscecuscesteasesecscccuccsnscnactscsautreassseseccees 58
4.2 Biological control im Crops ...........ccsccsssssessessessessessessessesnseccsccsncesessessessesscssesacenees 59
4.2.1 Why is biological control in crops important for human wellbeing?........ 59
4.2.2 What are the overall trends in the biological control Of CropS? .....100.100006 60
4.2.3 How is the provision of biological control in crops affected by
Changes in wild nature? ...........cccsccsssccsscssscsssssssecssesccessssscssssessssesscssasssssssscacssnsseesees 61
4.2.4 What are the main threats to the provision of biological control in
crops? 63
4.2.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provision of this benefit/process?........... 63
4.2.6 Can we quantify and map the global provision of biological control in
Crops, ANA how it Might CHANGE? ..esceccssserssrssreereeeersecersersecsersesssssesecsesesessseseceeeeees 64
4.2.7 Insights for CCONOMIC VALUATION.......cscesssssceseesscsssessecescessssssesssessssssenseessees 65
4.2.8 SOME) EVI CSOUTCES ccccesecccssaccsecatsnccsccsessossecuctsezaccacacccesoosescsecossescassazsesecenseane 65
4.2.9 IROTTUCIPONISiecsnscsnsecocastacvoesacssctscceccestancecessecsesecsaccaccseresssissasaasaccaccaesceceucsaeeeees 65
4.3 Genetic diversity of crops and livestock ..............sccscssssssessscsssssssscsssssssssseseseees 66
4.3.1 Why is the genetic diversity of crops and livestock important for
WUMmanbw CHBCIN Ger rrccsectcosttsesncchscoctsestenccctenceasoneteceacerenassucecesceeceesnastastesasececsesacevescarsaes 66
4.3.2 What are the overall trends in the genetic diversity of crops and
LEGO 5% cecececgs2c802000000- 00005 2600 CCE CEO DOC ECE ESOC OCRO CB CoS Sco GHOCHACCOCGSSCoSC ES EEA AE eeepc coocIacEC 67
4.3.3 How is the genetic diversity of crops and livestock affected by changes
EM WIE NOQLUTE? vccccecccsscesuscccacsotesessasacsecestanectases tavetoesettocseaasseziesdensssuecsid ccsdestoesesocttvotseosee 67
4.3.4 What are the main threats to the genetic diversity of crops and
UL VESLCOK Zasvensanssntesscstnices sssesstaanscszsateateascecenatatasneaneaseateacancatucecessarcarcarnatctertensserteceetecees 68
4.3.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the genetic diversity of crops and
VEVESLCOK idperecescnccnascentenrentsnteatonesasccasesssassareasedcesceacsstcatccsanecanscceerrateteecsscecesre oieneese etoce 68
4.3.6 Can we quantify and map the global diversity of crops and livestock,
ANGHOWND MICH CHANGE essere sserscancecesncescencertcccereeceertectersectestsassscereecceesceceeoteteotnieee 69
4.3.7 Insights for CcOnOniic VALUATION .....1.scsccsssseseeresssssesersessessessasessasessscessacsnesses 70
4.3.8 SOME: ROY PESOUTCES i ocsxccacsacoccsecsurtccuucsuceacttoaesrtt iaseusecsitivnieckvatnost seaeset aotens t 70
4.3.9 IPA VEICIPOMIS pandetantenteacncatraaccuacsncensneesasnses neeresn reeresecesteaer rteae teeeeeeiee aeees 71
4.4 Soil quality for crop production. ..............sscscscscscsccesssecesssesesesesesesescsesesesesessscees 72
4.4.1 Can we quantify and map the contribution of wild nature for the
provision of soil quality for crops, and how it might Change? ....s.c.s.sssesseseeserereeeseeess 76
4.4.2 SOME/K CY FCSOUTCOS «0.5 ccessicscsuRcesac cAsec serssacsec cteses 76
4.4.3 ROT UICID GNU S\accnsceszscssessoncsssectescesterecsmteteenectveerc cnteesres teeesectneceseereeeeas Tif,
4.5 Wives CKaetacsssssncarccespnesasesessscceactoescotsaecesntecaeesctaee ssisteee suascesseseateetaeattee sreneasees sc e 78
4.5.1 Why is the production of livestock important for human wellbeing?........ 78
4.5.2 What are the overall trends in the production of livestock? ........0..0000000006. 78
4.5.3 How is the production of livestock affected by changes in wild nature?... 78
4.5.4 What are the main threats to livestock production in natural
BTASSTANAS Tee Mines sate seeecon tee sce ecn acres tac s teeta cece aa ecserse cto nace 79
4.5.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provision of livestock in natural
QT OSSIANAS PrevcccsancsvscssassesstocsunscsscstoCucsucveeweeseaes teeeutsers iectaet eestes cscacekr eeaatkees es 79
4.5.6 Can we quantify and map the contribution of wild nature for livestock
Production, and how it might CHANGE? .....ssscesesesseerssssssssssecsssssssecessescssssssessssssessesees 79
4.5.7 Insights for CCONOMIC VALUATIONL.......scscesercesssesssscescessesseessesesseessesssssensssees 80
4.5.8 SOME KEY TES OUNCOS cc tzcsccescosccetsosocsorsusteiasteesieesvaedatues eatcaeseeaoetehietoatsieatss e 80
4.5.9 PATULGID ANUS s28. Sosssece tt ce cectac acest sev eeaeeec ttn eeteantet eae seeaco ee ceatcasotent tier cas 81
4.6 ausM arine fish Cries). sccscssc.cdesccoeeccors<secrccctsecscestastaveasosasscscasesasceteterceasessoneottabeireesaeeee 82
4.6.1 Why are marine fisheries important for human wellbeing ?.......1..000000000 82
4.6.2 What are the overall trends in the provision of marine fisheries? ........... 82
4.6.3 How is the provisioning of marine fisheries affected by changes in
WHE QUITE? Sea ee ates tanta aa tae ansacdl teocaaa eee oanbek saat tie oeaaa 83
4.6.4 What are the main threats to the provision of marine fisheries? ........0.0.+ 88
4.6.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provision of marine fisheries? ............0+. 89
4.6.6 Can we quantify and map the global provision of marine fisheries and
HOW Tl MUIBRECRONGE? covscsccscccetsccdecsrcesttsscactacvstenstesesacucvesaestesteateacsaciescrecsseteie eiteesattse s 90
4.6.7 Insights for economic ValuUation......c.sccccscsssesssesssessersssssesssssccsssacsccsceacsssacess 92
4.6.8 SOME KEY FESOULCES oc. -cescveesoctuncenesdedatsostvstwes ssucestectscssussesatesesecce necretexectersesse? 92
4.6.9 IPQTEICIPANES wvcscescossssssstsacsctstcrescesesntsncsesvessostecsectettessoctsdsewiacsaseecieeeeteen teee es9 3
4.7 Inland fisheries and aquaculture..............sccsccsscsscssssssssscsscssssscsscscscsssssssssceseess 95
4.7.1 Why are inland fisheries and aquaculture important for human
WELIDCIDG trscrcerttccersccssscersessshccessaccessssences tatcacsscorarccasstaststersorsectacucensecteversesteceteeetasecensee 95
4.7.2 What are the overall trends in the provision of inland fisheries and
AQUACUILUTE ycc acssecsctscsnsestnseceeesetetacertstsstacnsctatsasees snasceceeteccontastecenockeaetattacscstostitectsoséasses> 96
4.7.3 How is the provision of inland fisheries and aquaculture affected by
GCHANGESiIN Wild MAtUTe 2 sccccectcesettentnocscctcescoaseateasesscccecesacctevcesietectessvetcacsscceseustoctaasaaseess 96
4.7.4 What are the main threats to the provision of inland fisheries and
CUTTER Ree ECP PEED TTT CCRE EE EERE CECE EEE PEE EEE CECE CEPR PE EEE 99
4.7.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provisioning of freshwater fisheries
ACL OU OCHILUNG Aenvcnsenetnesusccacsuoctastuascastessaseasesennasuastatanvenceecactasepeucee:ceaeecettctetererseeeee 100
4.7.6 Can we quantify and map the global provision of inland fisheries and
aquaculture, and how it might ChANGe? ......1.seeeesssssessssessessesssssssssrsesssssenscssenscesees 100
4.7.7 Insights for CCONOMIC VALUATION... seccscesssessescesssssscesescessesssesssscassscssensesees 102
4.7.8 SOME/KEY TOSOULCES ss.cc.acssecee eae eater eh von bad sauhace eee obatnanesbbuctiebiestsstes 103
4.7.9 PQTUCIP ONES iire hase ES ccs 104
4.8 Wild! animal products ssc.ccccccccseseetct ecetceer rreeosa ast oeonr sseebeaccsenectesasotteessersee s 105
4.8.1 Why is this benefit important for human wellbeing? ....c.cccscssssseeerereeeeees 105
4.8.2 What are the overall trends in the provision of wild animal products?... 107
4.8.3 How is the provisioning of wild animal products affected by changes
PAWID NOLUTE 2m ircsessckacsnsosceen tst osRTd eenecen cersesseeenetsee 108
4.8.4 What are the main threats to the provisioning of wild animal
POTTSS e ene rectpoer eco cco coc ICL ASS SCG GI o2C0030 0005220 Ne GOCE CORO CECEEEOS ECL PECECODCHCCECEB ECO PEESSS 113
4.8.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provision of wild animal products?..... 114
4.8.6 Can we quantify and map the global provision of this benefit/process
ANGMOW TMBh t CRANGOL rerrecs-ccecscecensnereternesereeneerasn ecacteeoet teencetes easns aectaees trasatte aesnee e 115
4.8.7 Insights for CCONOmMIC VALUATION. ....ccccceccecessersersessesseessessessessessessessessessenses 119
4.8.8 SOME MEY TESOUTCES .s:a vesccsacsssesttercrensat racceceeean eceso oeteetiea ceottet eedeetsaseendss ts 120
4.8.9 DPATLICIPORIS oo coe cree ccasstete tee C Tee hii aca gasatsiee 120
4.9 Fresh water provision, regulation, and purification ..............ccsccccsssesesceeeees 122
4.9.1 Why is this process important for human wellbeing? .........s0ssseeeeeeeee 122
4.9.2 What are the overall trends in fresh water provision, regulation, and
DATTA LGU (teres ec OR ECE EE ECE CECECEE SE CPPCC ATCC PELE OPE EEC CED 124
4.9.3 How is the provision, regulation, and purification of fresh water
Affected by changes in Wild NAture?.....sssssceecessseecsssesssseccssccsecsssscsececsssessessesseessaces 124
4.9.4 What are the main threats to the provision, regulation and
DUTU{TCATONVOSA TES W ALCT, ooccecscencsucuccocvccsccotvcterectacectacecsvsesescsacssssasestsisssessisetsssacereveee 129
4.9.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provision and regulation of fresh
water? 130
4.9.6 Can we quantify and map the global provision, regulation, and
purification of freshwater, and how it might ChANge?.......scecscesscsessssssssssssessescenes 131
4.9.7 Insights for economic ValUation.......s.scsecescsessesssesscesscenssessssssecseacesscenceeses 134
4.9.8 SOME /KEY PESOUTCES -saceeccectszesccsecsusvasvasseesoscsetncssenesaceuuccscarestcssssseasasisaseessets 134
4.9.9 IROTULCIDANUSjesressencutesceasetcstescunccsenceccuscetcusteacetneeeraarnecasnacnrsecorsasesescurtoceevererts 135
4. NO Wialdliiplamtefibresiccs.ccscscrece-cuesscectcceasescuescsssecscesseactasoncotsnscssencorsasocscsersasetacsisscrs 136
4. MA Wildinvedicunallplamtsscsscc.crscecccetearesctensecesssestsnectoseresessactessasarsacessnccevescesssataece 137
4. 12 Outdoors activities related to Mature .............scscsccscsssessctscssetscsssseeeseeeseeceaces 138
4.12.1 Why is this benefit important for human wellbeing? .......0..ssseseeeeseeees 138
4.12.2. What are the overall trends in the provision of this benefit?..............00 139
4.12.3 How is the provision of this benefit/process affected by changes in
WELD OLUTC Yownsccucecanectncer sesso een cotene ees senenteotesnectcnsnasecatnetursancatcesertacecsacestucassateseetats 140
4.12.4. Whatare the main threats the provision of this benefit? ...........s1sees000 143
4.12.5 Are abrupt changes likely in the provision of this benefit? ........1...0.1000 144
4.12.6 Can we quantify and map the global provision of this benefit and how
WL UGH CHANGED reccecceerssreeeccrsctst etter taatnseenteaneeneasucctescetanssesaecsesteescesuesccsncccsccsceesossesss 144
4.12.7 Insights for economic VAlUation.....s.sccscereereeresrerreerserscsrserserensenseesensseseesees 146
Vi
ANU ZESMS OMEIK CITES OUT CES -oxn.cczactcaseacersacsusessactasccarceesscocsesncuansuasvocsesaceascucceaesaaeseess 147
4.12.9 Participants in this SUb-review..........scssccsscesreerecesscssseesscesseesserseesesseesseess 147
4.13 Regulation of natural hazards .............scsscsscscscsssecsssssessscesssseessessesesesseeaeesees 149
4.14 One-off use benefits ...............cescsscecessscescsscsscsscsscsssersesssessscsessssseaseasessensensens 150
4.15 Nom-use bene fits.............cscccccsscsssssssssccsssscsscssscsscsssssssesessessscssessaeseesseasensseneeess 151
Global climate regulation. .................:ccsscssssssssssccesscsscssscscssessecsssssscsscsssessseesenssesssenseeass 152
4.15.1 | Why is global climate regulation important for human wellbeing?........ 152
4.15.2 How is global climate regulation affected by changes in wild nature?... 152
4.15.3 Can we quantify and map the value of wild nature for global climate
regulation, and how it might CHANGE? .....scsssscsreesessecseerscrscssceceeseessecsecsecsecseneesseescees 153
ASU SYA WMP AVLECLANP Stcsrsctsscccsosssesersucsctsnesecsercentsnstencencseeenesonccaceestassacenssatsansansseseesoers 154
4.16 Unknown benefits or processes ...........s.ssssscsscesssesscsssssssscescsessessesessssesssesseesees 155
ANP S COM ANOS seetescentsessssarcasoatescecsnaccnccesaststecnactancsunseacsuatesarsnacsncecaecsuresatsustspessestaatsness 156
A SUSI BOT LL CLD ANUS) :cncsssscsscenaesasseseeareatsascarenttatseacsaneeasnavauscatesessescecacesttaceacasasasseaanees 162
4.18 Prioritisation of recommendations for future WOrK.............scsscccseessessessseeees 163
ANUS ST OSTLCID AMS |ecencescsasssaacsansseassenascatsonscarecssescvaconseccetassuccosatsnceuasteatscareatsectsnctes 166
5 INVENTORY OF RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS, PROGRAMS AND RECENT
LITERATURE DEALING WITH ECONOMICS OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS ........scsscsecsesssssecseeeees 167
5.1 Write rate TO VICW cecessccessecesecceccececerectoresteresscscescasvscecsecssaccnscceeseorececesecuecsccesesees 167
5.2 Review of organisations, programmes and NetWOrks............ccscessesesresesers 167
GPIRERBRENGES esresecteecsseseescrccssssttacvorconcenseactaccacesssstacnncacccessescestessacenstrarnercaccnsesracemataasn= 170
Annex 1 — Cost and benefits of agriculture CONVErSION............ssscsscesecessesssssseseesens 207
Annex 2 — Framework development and consultation. ............scsssssssssssessesesseesees 212
Annex 3 - Practical strategy followed in the thematic reviewS............cscssecseseseeers 213
Annex 4 - Literature review “Economics of Biodiversity Loss” ...............ssssssesees 216
Annex 5 - Inventory of research organizations, programs and projects dealing
with “Economics of Biodiversity LOSS” ..............ssssccssscsrsssssssssesssssscesscsessnsesacsesseseens 233
Annex 6 - Key Internet Resources on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services .......... 241
Vil
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
The recently released Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (Stern 2007)
concluded that it makes economic sense to invest in mitigating greenhouse emissions
to avoid the worst effects of climate change rather than face the consequences of
failing to do so. This proved highly influential in persuading politicians and
economists oft he need to act on climate change now.
The G8 decided in March 2007 to initiate an analogous “Review on the economics of
biodiversity loss”, in the so called Potsdam Initiative: 'In a global study we will initiate
the process of analysing the global economic benefit of biological diversity, the costs
of the loss of biodiversity and the failure to take protective measures versus the costs
of effective conservation.'. This proposal was endorsed by G8+5 leaders at the
Heiligendamm Summit 6-8 June 2007.”
This study consists of two phases:
- Phase | is a preparatory stage including several studies to be ready for the CBD
COP9 (Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity) in
May.
- Phase 2 is the consolidation stage that will produce the full Review, to be ready
in October 2009.
The study is being supported by the European Commission (together with the
European Environmental Agency and in cooperation with the German Government),
notably through contracted studies such as the present one. Leading economist Pavan
Sukhdev as been appointed as an independent Review leader for Phase 2.
1.2. This Scoping the Science project
The “Review on the economics of biodiversity loss: scoping the science” project
(henceforth, the Scoping the Science project) is one of several Phase 1 projects,
running from 14/12/2007 to 30/4/2008. According to the invitation to tender:
“The objective of the current study is to provide a coherent overview of existing
scientific knowledge upon which to base the economics of the Review, and to propose
a coherent global programme of scientific work, both for Phase 2 (consolidation) and
to enable more robust future iterations of the Review beyond 2010.”
The specific tasks to be carried out in the context oft he project are:
1. Elaborating the conceptual framework for the Review for biodiversity;
2. Establishing a working relationships with research networks and
programmes;
3. Reviewing existing ecological knowledge needed to carry out the Review:
4. Identifying critical gaps in knowledge;
5. Presenting key findings;
6. Elaborating a proposal for a 1-2 year programme of work to provide case
studies;
7. Elaborating a proposal for a 2-3 year programme of work to fill critical gaps;
8. Building an inventory of relevant research networks, programmes and
projects; and
9. Providing an inventory of internet resources.
The outputs of this Scoping the Science project will provide background and
recommendations for Phase 2, when the approach to be followed in the Review will be
defined in detail.
1.3 This report
This report presents the final results and recommendations from the Scoping the
Science project.
The Conceptual Framework for the Review on the Economics of Biodiversity Loss
(Task 1) is detailed in Section 2. Note that this has a significantly broader scope than
the remaining tasks in this project. The conceptual framework was developed for the
whole Review, covering the fuii integration of ecological and economic sciences. This
task was led by the University of Cambridge.
The bulk of this report covers the most substantial task of the project, of providing a
coherent overview of existing scientific knowledge (Task 3). Given the specific
mandate that such review should provide an adequate basis for the economic valuation,
we ensured that the definition of the review themes selected was appropriately defined
for this aim. Section 3 presents the conceptual background and justification for the
selection of the set of themes that form the basis of the review of the ecological
knowledge. Section 4 presents the results of the thematic reviews. Gaps in knowledge
(Task 4) and key findings (Task 5) are discussed in the report for each theme. An
extensive network of experts was created in this review (Task 2; see Error! Reference
source not found.). This work was led by the University of Cambridge, with the
support of UNEP-WCMC.
A synthesis of the recommended priorities for Phase 2 (Task 6) as well as in the longer
term (Task 7) is presented in section 4.18. This task was led by the University of
Cambridge, with the support of UNEP-WCMC.
The project also built an inventory of relevant research networks, programmes and
projects (Task 8), with the aim of expanding the relationships with these in the future
(Task 2). To support this exercise, a review of the recent literature (i.e. publications
post the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) dealing with economics of
biodiversity loss was conducted (Section 5; with the list of identified publications and
networks presented in
Annex 4 and in Annex 5). This work was led by Alterra and the Wageningen
University.
Finally, the project also provides a review of key internet resources on biodiversity and
ecosystem services (Task 9). This task was lead by UNEP-WCMC and its outcomes
can be found in Annex 6. This review was specifically focused on web-available
material related to biodiversity research and ecology (i.e. as oppose to biodiversity
economics). Thus, its outcomes largely complement the information on research
initiatives / networks and literature on economics of biodiversity loss above.
