Ecosystem goods and services provide many beneficial values for human beings. The integrated valuation of ecosystem goods and services is the key to understanding nature’s contribution to human well-being. Currently, there are still many uncertainties and disadvantages regarding the assessment methods of ecosystem service values (ESVs), which entails further investigation and improvement. Recent studies have made strides in quantifying ESVs using advanced remote sensing technologies and controlled experiments, yet significant gaps remain in accurately translating these values into socioeconomic benefits. The ongoing debate centers around the reliability of current valuation methods and the need for more localized and context-specific approaches. Addressing these gaps is crucial for enhancing the sustainable realization of ecosystem product values and ensuring that nature's contributions are adequately reflected in policy and decision-making processes.
This research topic aims to underscore key issues on the process mechanisms of ecosystem services (ESs), value accounting, and transformation of ESs through remote sensing, as well as controlled experiments and socioeconomics of ESs. Specifically, it seeks to elucidate the process mechanisms of structure-ecosystem services and function-ecosystem services, the flow paths of ESs under the supply and demand relationship, the transformation mechanisms and paths of ESVs from natural to socioeconomic systems, and the sustainable realization of ecosystem product values. By addressing these objectives, the research aims to enhance the accuracy and applicability of ESV assessments and their integration into socioeconomic frameworks.
To gather further insights into the valuation and transformation of ecosystem services, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- How to augment the valuation accuracy to avoid system errors when using default parameters
- How to form internal paths from ecosystem structure-process-function to ESs
- How to develop localized ES assessment and management systems suitable for various ecosystem types
- The role of remote sensing in improving ESV assessments
- Socioeconomic implications of transforming ESVs into tangible benefits
- Case studies on successful integration of ESVs into policy and decision-making processes
Keywords: ecosystem services, ecosystem goods, ecosystem management, ecosystem service valuation, ecosystem flow
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
