Ecosystem services: Classification for valuation

This letter is in response to an article by Ken Wallace titled “Classifications of ecosystem services: problems and solutions” (Biological Conservation 139, 2007). This letter discusses the points we see as problematic with Wallace’s framework and sets out our conceptualization of linking ecosystem services with human welfare. In this letter we suggest that utilizing the terms intermediate services, final services and benefits should go a long way to clearing up much of the ambiguity in ecosystem services typologies, especially for economic valuation purposes. As Wallace points out, clearly defining and organizing the concept of ecosystem services is not just a semantic decision, but it is integral to operationalizing something that can clearly illuminate tradeoffs in natural resource management.