International valuation databases: Overview, methods and operational issues

Over the past decade, numerous online databases have been established to provide information and data contained in thousands of primary environmental valuation studies conducted since the early 1980s. Although these Internet resources have many similarities, most exist for specific analytic or policy purposes, and so vary considerably in their content, appearance and functionality. In this article we review a number of such databases and compare their various features, with special attention paid to the facilitation of benefits transfers. We also provide a demonstration of how to perform searches and benefits transfers on three of the more popular databases - including the Environmental Valuation Reference Inventory, Envalue, and the Ecosystem Services Database. Next, we discuss day-to-day operational issues surrounding two databases, followed by a discussion of their policy relevance. We conclude with some suggestions for future directions for valuation databases.