Dallimer, M orcid.org/0000-0001-8120-3309, Martin-Ortega, J orcid.org/0000-0003-0002-6772, Rendon, O et al. (4 more authors) (2020) Taking stock of the empirical evidence on the insurance value of ecosystems. Ecological Economics, 167. 106451. ISSN 0921-8009
Abstract
Ecosystems can buffer against adverse events and, by so doing, reduce the costs of risk-bearing to society; benefits which have been termed ‘insurance value’. Although the terminology is recent, the concept is older and has its roots in ecological resilience. However, a synthesis of studies through the lens of the insurance value concept is lacking. Here we fill this important knowledge gap by conducting a rapid evidence assessment on how, where and why the insurance value of ecosystems has been measured. The review highlighted the often substantial positive values that were associated with restoration, rehabilitation or avoidance of loss of natural ecosystems. However, many regions, ecosystems and hazards are not widely researched. Most studies focused on forests, agriculture and wetlands, often with an emphasis on habitat restoration to reduce flood risks. Over half the studies provided non-monetary or monetary estimates of value, reporting, for example, improved ecological function, achieved/achievable cost reductions or willingness-to-pay. Nevertheless, the evidence-base remains fragmentary and is characterised by inconsistent reporting of valuation methodologies. This precludes drawing general conclusions. We recommend that future studies of insurance value adopt a common approach to facilitate the development of a more robust evidence-base.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Ecological Economics. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Ecosystem services; Insurance value; Natural hazards; Risk; Resilience; Rapid evidence assessment |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number NERC NE/R002681/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 10 Sep 2019 10:21 |
Last Modified: | 04 Sep 2020 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106451 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:150664 |
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