Ecosystem accounting: Past scientific developments and future challenges

authored by: Adrien Comte, Carole Sylvie Sylvie Campagne, Sabine Lange, Adrián García Bruzón, Lars Hein, Fernando Santos-Martín, Harold Levrel
Abstract: To better manage our environment, systematic information is needed on the state of ecosystems and their interactions with society. Efforts have been undertaken to design monitoring and recording systems, notably the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). However, the diverse conceptualizations and applications on ecosystem accounting found the scientific literature have never been assessed in a systematic way. Here, a systematic literature review on ecosystem accounting, i.e. natural capital accounting approaches that focus on ecosystems, is conducted to detail the evolving trends in concepts, methodologies, and applications, and to identify main gaps and challenges for future work. Results yielded 378 scientific articles published between 1990 and 2021. This literature is diverse in terms of frameworks developed, ecosystems studied, valuation methods used, and accounts produced. Among the eleven ecosystem accounting frameworks identified, the SEEA is the most widely used. This literature is moving from focusing on conceptual elements towards addressing implementation issues. It is primarily conducted in European countries, on forest ecosystems, using biophysical methods and monetary valuation methods consistent with exchange values to produce accounts. The gaps that should be the focus of future work include the issue of implementation: methodologies (artificial Intelligence technologies and economic valuation), data, for instance making better use of remote sensing images, collaborations, and supporting the use of ecosystem accounts in decision-making.
Organisation(s): Institute of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology
Physical Geography Group
External Organisation(s): Université Paris-Saclay
Sorbonne Université
Kiel University
King Juan Carlos University
Wageningen University and Research
Type: Article
Journal: Ecosystem Services
Volume: 58
ISSN: 2212-0416
Publication date: 12.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Global and Planetary Change, Geography, Planning and Development, Ecology, Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous), Nature and Landscape Conservation, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 15 - Life on Land, SDG 14 - Life Below Water, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2022.101486 (Access: Closed)