Anticipating and managing future trade-offs and complementarities between ecosystem services

Mark S. Reed; Klaus Hubacek; Aletta Bonn; Tim P. Burt; Joseph Holden; Lindsay C. Stringer; Nesha Beharry-Borg; Sarah Buckmaster; Dan Chapman; Pippa J. Chapman; Gareth D. Clay; Stephen J. Cornell; Andrew J. Dougill; Anna C. Evely; Evan D.G. Fraser; Nanlin Jin; Brian J. Irvine; Mike J. Kirkby; William E. Kunin; Christina Prell; Claire H. Quinn; Bill Slee; Sigrid Stagl; Mette Termansen; Simon Thorp; Fred Worrall

doi:10.5751/ES-04924-180105

Anticipating and managing future trade-offs and complementarities between ecosystem services

Mark S. Reed, Klaus Hubacek, Aletta Bonn, Tim P. Burt, Joseph Holden, Lindsay C. Stringer, Nesha Beharry-Borg, Sarah Buckmaster, Dan Chapman, Pippa J. Chapman, Gareth D. Clay, Stephen J. Cornell, Andrew J. Dougill, Anna C. Evely, Evan D.G. Fraser, Nanlin Jin, Brian J. Irvine, Mike J. Kirkby, William E. Kunin, Christina PrellClaire H. Quinn, Bill Slee, Sigrid Stagl, Mette Termansen, Simon Thorp, Fred Worrall

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper shows how, with the aid of computer models developed in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to quantify and map how policy decisions are likely to affect multiple ecosystem services in future. In this way, potential trade-offs and complementarities between different ecosystem services can be identified, so that policies can be designed to avoid the worst trade-offs, and where possible, enhance multiple services. The paper brings together evidence from across the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme's Sustainable Uplands project for the first time, with previously unpublished model outputs relating to runoff, agricultural suitability, biomass, heather cover, age, and utility for Red Grouse (Lagopus scotica), grass cover, and accompanying scenario narratives and video. Two contrasting scenarios, based on policies to extensify or intensify land management up to 2030, were developed through a combination of interviews and discussions during site visits with stakeholders, literature review, conceptual modeling, and process-based computer models, using the Dark Peak of the Peak District National Park in the UK as a case study. Where extensification leads to a significant reduction in managed burning and grazing or land abandonment, changes in vegetation type and structure could compromise a range of species that are important for conservation, while compromising provisioning services, amenity value, and increasing wildfire risk. However, where extensification leads to the restoration of peatlands damaged by former intensive management, there would be an increase in carbon sequestration and storage, with a number of cobenefits, which could counter the loss of habitats and species elsewhere in the landscape. In the second scenario, land use and management was significantly intensified to boost UK self-sufficiency in food. This would benefit certain provisioning services but would have negative consequences for carbon storage and water quality and would lead to a reduction in the abundance of certain species of conservation concern. The paper emphasizes the need for spatially explicit models that can track how ecosystem services might change over time, in response to policy or environmental drivers, and in response to the changing demands and preferences of society, which are far harder to anticipate. By developing such models in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to depict scenarios of real concern to those who need to use the research findings. By engaging these collaborators with the research findings through film, it was possible to discuss adaptive options to minimize trade-offs and enhance the provision of multiple ecosystem services under the very different future conditions depicted by each scenario. By preparing for as wide a range of futures as possible in this way, it may be possible for decision makers to act rapidly and effectively to protect and enhance the provision of ecosystem services in the face of unpredictable future change.

Original language	English
Article number	5
Journal	Ecology and Society
Volume	18
Issue number	1
ISSN	1708-3087
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04924-180105
Publication status	Published - 2013
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Blanket bog
Ecosystem services
Heath
Moorland
Mountain
Payments for ecosystem services
Peak district national park
Upland

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.5751/ES-04924-180105

Cite this

Reed, M. S., Hubacek, K., Bonn, A., Burt, T. P., Holden, J., Stringer, L. C., Beharry-Borg, N., Buckmaster, S., Chapman, D., Chapman, P. J., Clay, G. D., Cornell, S. J., Dougill, A. J., Evely, A. C., Fraser, E. D. G., Jin, N., Irvine, B. J., Kirkby, M. J., Kunin, W. E., ... Worrall, F. (2013). Anticipating and managing future trade-offs and complementarities between ecosystem services. Ecology and Society, 18(1), [5]. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04924-180105

Reed, MS, Hubacek, K, Bonn, A, Burt, TP, Holden, J, Stringer, LC, Beharry-Borg, N, Buckmaster, S, Chapman, D, Chapman, PJ, Clay, GD, Cornell, SJ, Dougill, AJ, Evely, AC, Fraser, EDG, Jin, N, Irvine, BJ, Kirkby, MJ, Kunin, WE, Prell, C, Quinn, CH, Slee, B, Stagl, S, Termansen, M, Thorp, S & Worrall, F 2013, 'Anticipating and managing future trade-offs and complementarities between ecosystem services', Ecology and Society, vol. 18, no. 1, 5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04924-180105

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title = "Anticipating and managing future trade-offs and complementarities between ecosystem services",

abstract = "This paper shows how, with the aid of computer models developed in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to quantify and map how policy decisions are likely to affect multiple ecosystem services in future. In this way, potential trade-offs and complementarities between different ecosystem services can be identified, so that policies can be designed to avoid the worst trade-offs, and where possible, enhance multiple services. The paper brings together evidence from across the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme's Sustainable Uplands project for the first time, with previously unpublished model outputs relating to runoff, agricultural suitability, biomass, heather cover, age, and utility for Red Grouse (Lagopus scotica), grass cover, and accompanying scenario narratives and video. Two contrasting scenarios, based on policies to extensify or intensify land management up to 2030, were developed through a combination of interviews and discussions during site visits with stakeholders, literature review, conceptual modeling, and process-based computer models, using the Dark Peak of the Peak District National Park in the UK as a case study. Where extensification leads to a significant reduction in managed burning and grazing or land abandonment, changes in vegetation type and structure could compromise a range of species that are important for conservation, while compromising provisioning services, amenity value, and increasing wildfire risk. However, where extensification leads to the restoration of peatlands damaged by former intensive management, there would be an increase in carbon sequestration and storage, with a number of cobenefits, which could counter the loss of habitats and species elsewhere in the landscape. In the second scenario, land use and management was significantly intensified to boost UK self-sufficiency in food. This would benefit certain provisioning services but would have negative consequences for carbon storage and water quality and would lead to a reduction in the abundance of certain species of conservation concern. The paper emphasizes the need for spatially explicit models that can track how ecosystem services might change over time, in response to policy or environmental drivers, and in response to the changing demands and preferences of society, which are far harder to anticipate. By developing such models in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to depict scenarios of real concern to those who need to use the research findings. By engaging these collaborators with the research findings through film, it was possible to discuss adaptive options to minimize trade-offs and enhance the provision of multiple ecosystem services under the very different future conditions depicted by each scenario. By preparing for as wide a range of futures as possible in this way, it may be possible for decision makers to act rapidly and effectively to protect and enhance the provision of ecosystem services in the face of unpredictable future change.",

keywords = "Blanket bog, Ecosystem services, Heath, Moorland, Mountain, Payments for ecosystem services, Peak district national park, Upland",

author = "Reed, {Mark S.} and Klaus Hubacek and Aletta Bonn and Burt, {Tim P.} and Joseph Holden and Stringer, {Lindsay C.} and Nesha Beharry-Borg and Sarah Buckmaster and Dan Chapman and Chapman, {Pippa J.} and Clay, {Gareth D.} and Cornell, {Stephen J.} and Dougill, {Andrew J.} and Evely, {Anna C.} and Fraser, {Evan D.G.} and Nanlin Jin and Irvine, {Brian J.} and Kirkby, {Mike J.} and Kunin, {William E.} and Christina Prell and Quinn, {Claire H.} and Bill Slee and Sigrid Stagl and Mette Termansen and Simon Thorp and Fred Worrall",

year = "2013",

doi = "10.5751/ES-04924-180105",

language = "English",

volume = "18",

journal = "Ecology and Society",

issn = "1708-3087",

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T1 - Anticipating and managing future trade-offs and complementarities between ecosystem services

AU - Reed, Mark S.

AU - Hubacek, Klaus

AU - Bonn, Aletta

AU - Burt, Tim P.

AU - Holden, Joseph

AU - Stringer, Lindsay C.

AU - Beharry-Borg, Nesha

AU - Buckmaster, Sarah

AU - Chapman, Dan

AU - Chapman, Pippa J.

AU - Clay, Gareth D.

AU - Cornell, Stephen J.

AU - Dougill, Andrew J.

AU - Evely, Anna C.

AU - Fraser, Evan D.G.

AU - Jin, Nanlin

AU - Irvine, Brian J.

AU - Kirkby, Mike J.

AU - Kunin, William E.

AU - Prell, Christina

AU - Quinn, Claire H.

AU - Slee, Bill

AU - Stagl, Sigrid

AU - Termansen, Mette

AU - Thorp, Simon

AU - Worrall, Fred

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - This paper shows how, with the aid of computer models developed in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to quantify and map how policy decisions are likely to affect multiple ecosystem services in future. In this way, potential trade-offs and complementarities between different ecosystem services can be identified, so that policies can be designed to avoid the worst trade-offs, and where possible, enhance multiple services. The paper brings together evidence from across the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme's Sustainable Uplands project for the first time, with previously unpublished model outputs relating to runoff, agricultural suitability, biomass, heather cover, age, and utility for Red Grouse (Lagopus scotica), grass cover, and accompanying scenario narratives and video. Two contrasting scenarios, based on policies to extensify or intensify land management up to 2030, were developed through a combination of interviews and discussions during site visits with stakeholders, literature review, conceptual modeling, and process-based computer models, using the Dark Peak of the Peak District National Park in the UK as a case study. Where extensification leads to a significant reduction in managed burning and grazing or land abandonment, changes in vegetation type and structure could compromise a range of species that are important for conservation, while compromising provisioning services, amenity value, and increasing wildfire risk. However, where extensification leads to the restoration of peatlands damaged by former intensive management, there would be an increase in carbon sequestration and storage, with a number of cobenefits, which could counter the loss of habitats and species elsewhere in the landscape. In the second scenario, land use and management was significantly intensified to boost UK self-sufficiency in food. This would benefit certain provisioning services but would have negative consequences for carbon storage and water quality and would lead to a reduction in the abundance of certain species of conservation concern. The paper emphasizes the need for spatially explicit models that can track how ecosystem services might change over time, in response to policy or environmental drivers, and in response to the changing demands and preferences of society, which are far harder to anticipate. By developing such models in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to depict scenarios of real concern to those who need to use the research findings. By engaging these collaborators with the research findings through film, it was possible to discuss adaptive options to minimize trade-offs and enhance the provision of multiple ecosystem services under the very different future conditions depicted by each scenario. By preparing for as wide a range of futures as possible in this way, it may be possible for decision makers to act rapidly and effectively to protect and enhance the provision of ecosystem services in the face of unpredictable future change.

AB - This paper shows how, with the aid of computer models developed in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to quantify and map how policy decisions are likely to affect multiple ecosystem services in future. In this way, potential trade-offs and complementarities between different ecosystem services can be identified, so that policies can be designed to avoid the worst trade-offs, and where possible, enhance multiple services. The paper brings together evidence from across the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme's Sustainable Uplands project for the first time, with previously unpublished model outputs relating to runoff, agricultural suitability, biomass, heather cover, age, and utility for Red Grouse (Lagopus scotica), grass cover, and accompanying scenario narratives and video. Two contrasting scenarios, based on policies to extensify or intensify land management up to 2030, were developed through a combination of interviews and discussions during site visits with stakeholders, literature review, conceptual modeling, and process-based computer models, using the Dark Peak of the Peak District National Park in the UK as a case study. Where extensification leads to a significant reduction in managed burning and grazing or land abandonment, changes in vegetation type and structure could compromise a range of species that are important for conservation, while compromising provisioning services, amenity value, and increasing wildfire risk. However, where extensification leads to the restoration of peatlands damaged by former intensive management, there would be an increase in carbon sequestration and storage, with a number of cobenefits, which could counter the loss of habitats and species elsewhere in the landscape. In the second scenario, land use and management was significantly intensified to boost UK self-sufficiency in food. This would benefit certain provisioning services but would have negative consequences for carbon storage and water quality and would lead to a reduction in the abundance of certain species of conservation concern. The paper emphasizes the need for spatially explicit models that can track how ecosystem services might change over time, in response to policy or environmental drivers, and in response to the changing demands and preferences of society, which are far harder to anticipate. By developing such models in close collaboration with decision makers and other stakeholders, it is possible to depict scenarios of real concern to those who need to use the research findings. By engaging these collaborators with the research findings through film, it was possible to discuss adaptive options to minimize trade-offs and enhance the provision of multiple ecosystem services under the very different future conditions depicted by each scenario. By preparing for as wide a range of futures as possible in this way, it may be possible for decision makers to act rapidly and effectively to protect and enhance the provision of ecosystem services in the face of unpredictable future change.

KW - Blanket bog

KW - Ecosystem services

KW - Heath

KW - Moorland

KW - Mountain

KW - Payments for ecosystem services

KW - Peak district national park

KW - Upland

U2 - 10.5751/ES-04924-180105

DO - 10.5751/ES-04924-180105

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84876755188

SN - 1708-3087

VL - 18

JO - Ecology and Society

JF - Ecology and Society

IS - 1

M1 - 5

ER -

Anticipating and managing future trade-offs and complementarities between ecosystem services

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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