Friday, August 12, 2011

Accounting for the ecosystem services of migratory species: Quantifying migration support and spatial subsidies

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800911002771
Abstract: Migratory species support ecosystem process and function in multiple areas, establishing ecological linkages between their different habitats. As they travel, migratory species also provide ecosystem services to people in many different locations. Previous research suggests there may be spatial mismatches between locations where humans use services and the ecosystems that produce them. This occurs with migratory species, between the areas that most support the species' population viability – and hence their long-term ability to provide services – and the locations where species provide the most ecosystem services. This paper presents a conceptual framework for estimating how much a particular location supports the provision of ecosystem services in other locations, and for estimating the extent to which local benefits are dependent upon other locations. We also describe a method for estimating the net payment, or subsidy, owed by or to a location that balances benefits received and support provided by locations throughout the migratory range of multiple species. The ability to quantify these spatial subsidies could provide a foundation for the establishment of markets that incentivize cross-jurisdictional cooperative management of migratory species. It could also provide a mechanism for resolving conflicts over the sustainable and equitable allocation of exploited migratory species.

by Darius J., Semmens 1, James E., Diffendorfer 1, Laura, López-Hoffman 2 and Carl D., Shapiro 3
1. Rocky Mountain Geographic Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, P.O. Box 25046, MS-516, Denver, CO 80225, USA
2. School of Natural Resources and Environment and Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
3. National Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192, USA
Ecological Economics via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com 
Article in Press, Corrected Proof; Available online 11 August 2011.
Keywords: Ecosystem services; Spatial dynamics; Migration; Subsidies; Valuation; Conservation markets

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