Ecosystem Services Evaluation Matrix(Mooney, 2014)
(adapted by Girling for LARC 444/553)NAME
September 28: Field Observation of Ecosystem Services
This is individual discussion paper #2LOCATION of study
With at least one other person, go to any outdoor space near to Macmillan to conduct an ecosystem services evaluation. Discuss the site relative to this Ecosystem Services Matrix. What ecosystem services does this site provide? Based on your knowledge, observation, and discussion, complete the Ecosystem Services Matrix below. This evaluation will be a qualitative evaluation. Base your evaluation on the existing conditions and management of the site- don't speculate about the future. You should decide how to determine high, moderate or low values and explain your valuation in the right column.
For three ecosystem services, discuss how to quantify the ecosystem service. This does not have to be a monetary quantification, just a way to measure and perhaps compare to other areas or to some future condition. How would you do such a measure (i.e. by what method?). If you know of an accepted method for measuring, simply reference the method.
Suggested locations: Totem Park; Totem Field; Main Mall; University Blvd. fountain; meadow at Biodiversity Museum; Fairview Grove; East Campus Park; Rhododendron woods; Patient Park at UBC Hospital; Jim Taylor Park; grass mound across from Life Sciences…or you choose.
Don’t try to go too far! A five minute walk would be ideal (maximum 10 minutes)
Where did you conduct your evaluation? Copy/paste a Google satellite view screenshot of your location here (Make it small enough to fit in thebox- hover over it + click to see it):
Category / Ecosystem Service / Example / Yes/No / ValuationHigh—Med.—Low / Explain the rating or propose quantification
BIODIVERSITY
Marine and aquatic biodiversity / Riparian environments
Marine environments
Terrestrial habitat / Diverse habitat types on site
Pollinator habitat
PROVISIONING SERVICES
Food / Food production
Raw Materials / Wood fibre
Fresh water / Water harvesting
Medicinal resources / Medicinal plant production
Ornamental plants / Plant nurseries
REGULATING SERVICES
Climate and Atmosphere / Carbon sequestration & storage / Trees, woody plants
Extreme event mitigation / Wetlands
Pollution mitigation- Air / Trees, woody plants
Pollution mitigation- Water / Stormwater filtration
Pollution mitigation- Soil
Climate regulation / Trees- Heat island mitigation
Pollination / Pollinator species / Pollinator habitat
Hazard regulation / Reduced hazard risks / Flood mitigation
Landslide mitigation
Disease, pest regulation
Noise regulation
Water / Drought mitigation / Irrigation water recycling
Waste-water treatment / Sewage or stormwater treatment
Soil / Reduced erosion / Vegetative cover
Maintenance of soil fertility / Leaf litter, Composting
CULTURAL SERVICES
Social cohesion / Places for social interaction
Sense of identity / Express local or community identity
Mental well-being / Restorative landscapes
Physical well-being / Active landscapes i.e. trails
Recreation / Places to play
Tourism
Aesthetics/ inspiration / Beauty & art
Spiritual experience
SUPPORTING SERVICES
Nutrient cycling
Water cycling / Water cleansing & re-use
Soil preservation
Primary productivity
SUBMISSION: Each person should fill in this form. Please type into the cells. It’s OK to add footnotes to explain your responses. Please submit a PDF on the Connect site.
May we share your submission with the class on the blog? Yes No
EVALUATION: will be based on:exhibits good understanding of principles of ecosystem services; rational, thoughtful justification for evaluations; rational, thoughtful quantification proposals; complete, legible, neat.
DEADLINE: October 12, midnight
REFERENCES
Austin, Gary D. (2014) Green Infrastructure for Landscape Planning: Integrating human and natural systems, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Chapter 4 Ecosystem Services
Mooney, Patrick, “A Systematic Approach to Incorporating Multiple Ecosystem Services in Landscape Planning and Design,” Landscape Journal Volume 33 No. 2, 2014, pp. 141-171.
Mooney, Patrick, Glenn Brown, Ecosystem Services, Natural Capital & Nature’s Benefits in the Urban Region: Information for Professionals and Citizens. School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia.
See the case studies.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)