Determining the value of multiple ecosystem services in terms of community wellbeing: Who should be the valuing agent?

- An agreed Framework allows ecosystem services to be assessed and valued consistently.
- A linear model inter-connects ecosystems, functions, services and human wellbeing.
- Flexibility is maintained regarding whose values count and the valuing agent.
- Terrestrial vegetated ecosystems requiring little human input to function ranked highest.
- Since its development, the Framework has been officially adopted in planning policy.

When multiple ecosystem services are derived from multiple ecosystems across different policy, planning or management jurisdictions, questions arise regarding the valuation of ecosystem services such as: who are the beneficiaries; how do they value ecosystem services; and who should be the valuing agent? In attempting to achieve an integrated approach to natural resource management in South East Queensland (SEQ), stakeholders have combined their knowledge to develop a framework to identify, measure and value ecosystem services provided by the region. This paper focuses on a methodology trialled to value the ecosystem services derived from the SEQ region in terms of the wellbeing of the SEQ community. The methodology allows flexibility of choice regarding whose values count and who should be the valuing agent. The methodology was trialled with community participants and scientific experts. The building blocks of the Framework can be used to construct different model variants, each of which reveals key characteristics of ecosystem services in SEQ. The approach adopted to value ecosystems and ecosystem services offers scope for decision makers to think more broadly about possible impacts of decisions on the wellbeing of the community and has facilitated the inclusion of ecosystem services in statutory planning policy in SEQ.