Evaluating conceptual definitions of ecosystem services and their implications

- Ecosystem services, while scientific, was also adopted as a phrase to advocate for better environmental considerations.
- Ecosystem services can be thought of as a broadly descriptive label for research and policy.
- Using the main definitions, ecosystem services can be most aspects of ecosystems that link to human wellbeing.
- The conceptual definitions of ecosystem services may be divided into four main categories.

“Ecosystem services” is a phrase with many meanings, yet very few studies have primarily focused on comparing different definitions of the term. Ecosystem services are now generally used in identifying an appropriately wide range of environmental variables for policy and management as well as better understanding the benefits provided by those aspects of the environment. A review of the dominant definitions of ecosystem services reveals the term is comprehensive in its scope and requires further specification for most purposes. Analysis further reveals that there are four main categories of conceptual definitions. The paper concludes that ecosystem services can be identified at various points along the spectrum of nature-human interaction depending on which specific definition is chosen and that the term was not created to identify a novel set of environmental objects or processes.