TY - JOUR

T1 - Widening the evaluative space for ecosystem services

T2 - A taxonomy of plural values and valuation methods

AU - Arias-Arévalo, Paola

AU - Gómez-Baggethun, Erik

AU - Martín-López, Berta

AU - Pérez-Rincón, Mario

PY - 2018/2/1

Y1 - 2018/2/1

N2 - Researchers working in the field of ecosystem services (ES) have long acknowledged the importance of recognising multiple values in ecosystems and biodiversity. Yet the operationalisation of value pluralism in ES assessments remains largely elusive. The aim of this research is to present a taxonomy of values and valuation methods to widen the evaluative space for ES. First, we present our preanalytic positions in regards to the values and valuation of ES. Second, we review different value definitions that we deem relevant for the discussion of ES valuation. Third, we propose a taxonomy of ES values based on different conceptions of human-nature relationships. Finally, we present a taxonomy of different methods that can be used to recognise plural values in ES. This taxonomy for a plural valuation can help ES scientists and practitioners with their aim of representing people’s multiple and context-specific ways of valuing nature. The taxonomy can also serve to pay broader attention to ES values that are overlooked or misrepresented in assessments that restrict their focus to monetary valuations.

AB - Researchers working in the field of ecosystem services (ES) have long acknowledged the importance of recognising multiple values in ecosystems and biodiversity. Yet the operationalisation of value pluralism in ES assessments remains largely elusive. The aim of this research is to present a taxonomy of values and valuation methods to widen the evaluative space for ES. First, we present our preanalytic positions in regards to the values and valuation of ES. Second, we review different value definitions that we deem relevant for the discussion of ES valuation. Third, we propose a taxonomy of ES values based on different conceptions of human-nature relationships. Finally, we present a taxonomy of different methods that can be used to recognise plural values in ES. This taxonomy for a plural valuation can help ES scientists and practitioners with their aim of representing people’s multiple and context-specific ways of valuing nature. The taxonomy can also serve to pay broader attention to ES values that are overlooked or misrepresented in assessments that restrict their focus to monetary valuations.

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Ecosystem services

KW - incommensurability

KW - monetary and non-monetary valuation

KW - value pluralism

KW - Ecosystems Research

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85040183750&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3197/096327118X15144698637513

DO - 10.3197/096327118X15144698637513

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 27

SP - 29

EP - 53

JO - Environmental Values

JF - Environmental Values

SN - 0963-2719

IS - 1

ER -