The document begins with a short overview on the impacts of degrading eco-systems on human well-being. How current energy consumption is contributing to this degradation is also addressed. The affect of climate change on ecosystem services

Adaptation is necessary for reducing the impacts of climate change on forests and societies. So far, forests, forest

It has become essential in policy and decision-making circles to think about the economic benefits (in addition to moral and scientific motivations) humans derive from well-functioning ecosystems. The concept of ecosystem services has been developed to address this link between ecosystems and human welfare. Since policy decisions are often evaluated through cost–benefit assessments, an economic analysis can help make ecosystem service research operational. In this paper we provide some simple economic analyses to discuss key concepts involved in formalizing ecosystem service research.

Ignoring ecosystem services will only push us to a faster ecological crisis OF THE different all-India services, the Indian Forest Service is the one that is marginalized. Its resources are less and its power to influence policy even lesser. It is understandable. As the focus shifted from timber to biodiversity conservation, revenue dipped and so did investment in the sector. This myopic

The links between ecosystem approaches to health, natural resource management and poverty reduction are being identified as important and relevant across an increasing number of disciplines and institutions. However, specific implementation guidance is scant.

Mountains are among the most fragile environments on earth but, at the same time, are also rich repositories of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the sources of much of the water that sustains life on the planet.

This recent study by SANDEE examines the link between stream flow, agricultural water use and economic returns to agriculture. Attempts to simulate the likely impacts of regeneration of a degraded forest catchment on stream flow and the consequent impact on irrigation tankbased agriculture in a downstream village.

This report reviews the current status of payments for watershed services in developing countries. It highlights the main trends in the evolution of these schemes, synthesising the available evidence on their environmental and social impacts, and drawing lessons for the design of future initiatives.

Tree and flying squirrels are important components of forested ecosystems, and are advocated as indicators of forest health. In this global assessment of the distribution, endangerment and scientific knowledge of squirrels, we reveal trends that warrant urgent attention.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) aims to promote a better understanding of the true economic value of ecosystem services and to offer economic tools that take proper account of this value. TEEB is in two phases and this interim report summarizes the results of Phase I.

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