Economic analysis for the UK National Ecosystem Assessment: synthesis and scenario valuation of changes in ecosystem services

Author version of article. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10640-013-9662-y© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013We combine natural science modelling and valuation techniques to present economic analyses of a variety of land use change scenarios generated for the UK National Ecosystem Assessment. Specifically, the agricultural, greenhouse gas, recreational and urban greenspace impacts of the envisioned land use changes are valued. Particular attention is given to the incorporation of spatial variation in the natural environment and to addressing issues such as biodiversity impacts where reliable values are not available. Results show that the incorporation of ecosystem services and their values within analyses can substantially change decisions. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK-NEA)Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA