In this authoritative book, leading international experts examine the use of scenario analyses and modelling in environmental assessments, highlighting their potential uses in making evidence-based decisions to address the risks and adverse impacts of rapid environmental change such as global warming and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In addition to theoretical and conceptual issues, contributors analyse the latest research on the applications of scenarios and models, and discuss the opportunities and challenges in using them for policy relevant research and action. Chapters include in-depth case studies from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America as well as those with a global or regional focus, providing a comprehensive review of the available tools and frameworks for conducting environmental assessments in diverse contexts. This book offers a roadmap for strengthening the science policy interface for environmental decision-making. Environmental Assessments will be crucial reading for scholars, postgraduate students, practitioners and policy makers working in ecological economics and ecology, biodiversity and ecosystem services, climate change and natural resources. It will be particularly useful for those working for international and intergovernmental agencies, national governments, businesses and NGOs looking to make informed decisions about responses to environmental change.

Over time, it is expected that climate change will have a profound impact on human and natural systems, and thereby impede future economic growth and sustainable development. In this innovative and authoritative work, leading international experts discuss the challenges and opportunities for building an economy and society that is more resilient to climate change. Building a Climate Resilient Economy and Society fulfils a long-felt need, which assumed added importance following the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, for a comprehensive work on climate resilience. The chapters are organised into three thematic sections. The first part explores vulnerability, adaptation and resilience, whilst part two offers sectoral perspectives from agriculture, fisheries, marine ecosystems, cities and urban infrastructure, drought prone areas and renewable energy. In the final part, the authors examine incentives, institutions and policy, covering topics such as carbon pricing, REDD-plus, the role of institutions and communities, climate finance and policies. Combining a global focus with detailed case studies from a cross section of regions, countries and sectors, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars and students. Written in concise, non-technical language, it will also provide a thorough reference for those in civil society or government working on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. Contributors include: I. Arakelyan, L. Barrage, I. Bateman, C. Carraro, W.W. L. Cheung, R. Costanza, P.M. Cury, M. Davide, S. Dekker, Y. Elhadi, C. Fezzi, I. Haque, A.R. Harwood, C. Hesse, M. Inoue, C. Johnson, A.A. Lovett, K. May, K.A. Miller, A.J. Mohammed, D. Moran, K. Mutafoglu, K.N. Ninan, V. Orindi, A. Panda, A. Patt, R. Pichs-Madruga, M. Rao, J.-P. Schweitzer, V. Shandas, U. Sharma, Y. Su, U.R. Sumaila, T. Tai, P. ten Brink, D. Timmons, C. Tisdell, A. van Diepen-Heyadat, J. Voelkel, R.T. Watson, J. Woollard, A. Wreford

Conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services is critical to promoting human welfare and sustainable development. Valuing Ecosystem Services: Methodological Issues And Case Studies presents the latest research on valuing ecosystem services and case studies by leading experts from around the world. This thought provoking book draws together prominent international authorities to discuss the key methodological issues and challenges in valuing ecosystem services. Covering a cross-section of ecosystems and services in different sites, countries and regions, and presenting state of the art surveys of studies on valuation of forest and coastal ecosystems and pollination services, the collection presents essential case studies that value ecosystem services and experiences with operationalizing valuation into policy. Providing a unique blueprint for moving the science and practice of ecosystem services valuation forward, this timely book will be of special interest to academics, policy makers and professionals working in ecological economics, natural resources, forestry and conservation. Contributors: G. Atkinson, I.J. Bateman, D.M. Bauer, P. van Beukering, L. Brander, N.D Burgess, F. Casey, H. Chang, D. Cooley, R. Costanza, V. Dujon, D. Ervin, C. Fezzi, A. Ghermandi, D. Gordon, E. Granek, G. Guannel, D. Immerzeel, M. Inoue, A. Jenkins, R. Jindal, J. Kerr, A.Kontoleon, R. Kramer, T. Kroeger, A. Lesser, J. Loomis, G.M. Mace, E.Y. Mohammed, S. Morse-Jones, B.C. Murray, K.N. Ninan, P.A.L.D. Nunes, L. Pendleton, L. Richardson, V. Shandas, R.D. Simpson, P.C. Sutton, C. Tisdell, R. K. Turner, T. Vegh, J.A. Yeakley, K. Yoshida

Economic valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services is possibly the most powerful tool for halting the loss of biodiversity while maintaining incomes and livelihoods. Yet rarely have such approaches been applied to tropical forest 'hotspots', which house the vast majority of the planets plant and animal species. This ground-breaking work is the most comprehensive and detailed examination of the economics of environmental valuation and biodiversity conservation to date. Focusing on the Western Ghats of India, one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world, this volume looks at a cross-section of local communities living within or near sanctuaries and reserve forests such as coffee growers, indigenous people and farmers-cum-pastoralists to assess the use and non-use values that people derive from tropical forests. It also looks at the extent of their dependence on forests for various goods and services, and examines their perceptions and attitudes towards biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection. The book concludes with an assessment of the institutional alternatives and policies for promoting biodiversity conservation through economic valuation methods.

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This book comprehensively addresses the economic, social and institutional difficulties in conserving biodiversity and the ecosystem services that it provides. It covers a wide range of issues such as biodiversity, ecosystem services and valuation in the context of diverse ecosystems such as tropical forests, marine areas, wetlands and agricultural landscapes, non-timber forest products, incentives and institutions, payments for ecosystem services, governance, intellectual property rights and the protection of traditional knowledge, management of protected areas, and climate change and biodiversity. It also covers the application of environmental economics and institutional economics to different cases and the use of techniques such as contingent valuation method and game theory. The book spans the globe with case studies drawn from a cross section of regions and continents including the UK, US, Europe, Australia, India, Africa and South America.

This book comprehensively addresses the economic, social and institutional difficulties in conserving biodiversity and the ecosystem services that it provides. It covers a wide range of issues such as biodiversity, ecosystem services and valuation in the context of diverse ecosystems such as tropical forests, marine areas, wetlands and agricultural landscapes, non-timber forest products, incentives and institutions, payments for ecosystem services, governance, intellectual property rights and the protection of traditional knowledge, management of protected areas, and climate change and biodiversity. It also covers the application of environmental economics and institutional economics to different cases and the use of techniques such as contingent valuation method and game theory. The book spans the globe with case studies drawn from a cross section of regions and continents including the UK, US, Europe, Australia, India, Africa and South America.

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* Placing an economic value on biodiversity is seen by many as the best and perhaps only successful way of preserving it while also protecting livelihoods* This is the most comprehensive examination of valuation ever conducted, focusing on one of the world's top eight biodiversity "hotspots," with principles widely applicable across the world* Original comparisons of the different "values" of biodiversity, trade-offs, incentives for conservation, case studies of coffee growing and wildlife conservation and practical policy optionsEconomic valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services is possibly the most powerful tool for halting the loss of biodiversity while maintaining incomes and livelihoods. Yet rarely have such approaches been applied to tropical forest "hotspots," which house the vast majority of the planet's plant and animal species. This groundbreaking work is the most comprehensive and detailed examination of the economics of environmental valuation and biodiversity conservation to date. Focusing on the Western Ghats of India, one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world, this volume looks at a cross-section of local communities living within or near sanctuaries and reserve forests such as coffee growers, indigenous people and farmers-pastoralists to assess the use and non-use values that people derive from tropical forests. It also looks at the extent of their dependence on forests for various goods and services, and examines their perceptions and attitudes towards biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection. The book concludes with an assessment of the institutional alternatives and policies for promoting biodiversity conservation through economic valuationmethods.