Approaches for Incorporating Ecosystem Goods & Services in US Army Corps Planning and Benefits Evaluation*

Transcription

1 Approaches for Incorporating Ecosystem Goods & Services in US Army Corps Planning and Benefits Evaluation* Lisa A. Wainger 1, Hannah Griscom 1, Elizabeth Murray 2, and Janet A. Cushing 3 1 University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science 2 Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center 3 US Army Corps of Engineers, Institute for Water Resources ACES, December 13, 2012 * Material represents ongoing work & should not be cited 1

2 Issues Addressed US Army Corps is under increasing pressure to justify Ecosystem Restoration projects Habitat units do not adequately capture all ecological and socioeconomic values of projects Previous attempts by Districts to use ecosystem services in planning studies have been inconsistent and not successful Off-the-shelf tools to quantify Ecosystem Goods and Services have not been assessed to see if they meet the Corps planning needs 2

3 Ecosystem Goods & Services Relation to Corps Mission & Stakeholder Goals Ecosystem Services Corps Mission Goals Local Stakeholder Goals Ecosystem Sustainability Water Supply & Regulation Natural Hazard Mitigation Navigation Recreation Cultural, Spiritual & Education Aesthetics Food Provisioning Raw Goods & Materials Provisioning Climate Regulation Water Quality Human Health 3

4 What could an EGS analysis contribute? 1. Capability to account for full range of ecological benefits & losses from ecological restoration & other projects 2. Improved project design and decision-making based on more holistic suite of ecological considerations 3. Enhanced communication of ecological changes in terms of socially meaningful outcomes 4. More consistency of EGS reporting nationally 4

5 Connection between EGS Approach and the 6-Step Process Corps Planning Problems & Opportunities Inventory & Forecast Formulate Plans Evaluate Plans Compare Plans Select Plan EGS Steps Identify Affected EGS Model EGS changes without project Model alternatives and apply results, if appropriate Report EGS benefits of selected plans 5

6 Determining Ecosystem-Derived Economic Benefits from Projects 1. Management Activity 2. Ecological Outcomes 3. Ecosystem Goods & Services 4. Social Benefits A. Response Function B. Ecoservice Production Function C. Benefit / Damage Function 6

7 1. Increase channel sinuosity A. Model habitat improvements Example Conceptual Model for Valuing Benefits 2. Expansion of shallow and deep-water habitat 2. Increase in game fish density B. Model expected changes in fishing availability 3. Improved catch rates C. Model economic value of change (e.g., Random Utility Model) 4. Willingness to pay for improved catch rates 7

8 Example Conceptual Model when Using Benefit Indicators 1. Increase channel sinuosity A. Model habitat improvements 2. Expansion of shallow and deep-water habitat 2. Expected species diversity B. Model expected changes in multiple system qualities 3. Potential EGS Metrics: Number of accessible & productive fishing sites (recreational fishing) Ecosystem Sustainability (derived from diversity) 8

9 Some of the Concepts Incorporated in Framework 1. Distinguish between ecological features or processes and the beneficial outcomes to people Robust models link measured ecological outcomes to things people care about Outcome metrics reflect specific user needs & preferences Use monetization only where it makes sense 2. Measure changes due to project 3. Consider restoration probability of success 9

10 Corps Approach to Demonstrate Appreciation for Passive Use Services Covered by law = Institutional Significance E.g., Endangered Species Act People care = Public Significance E.g., Non-governmental groups target this EGS Experts have scientific reasons to think it is important = Technical Significance E.g., Conservation priorities 10

11 Opportunities for Visualizing and Standardizing Technical Significance Criteria Many conservation priority datasets now easily accessible via web. Datasets incorporate many Corps criteria such as scarcity, trend, species richness & endemism, threats & viability. Provides context of national priorities. 11

12 Measuring Changes due to Project Non-linearity in Restoration-Response Functions 100 % function Habitat Degraded % Stress Removed 100 Intact 12 12

13 Quantifying Economic Benefits Relative to a Baseline % max benefits 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Wildlife Viewing Benefits years With management No action Invasive Cover and Time 13

14 Calculating Risk-Adjusted Benefits % max benefits 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% Wildlife Viewing Risk-Adjusted Benefits With management No action 0% years Invasive Cover and Time 14

15 Key to Success: Streamline Implementation ESG analysis would be seemlessly integrated into the pre-existing process in order to meet tight deadlines Data and models to quantify EGS and identify potential for social benefits will need to be cost-effective - to be used Tools will need to be scalable by project size and need E.g., For small projects Modifying existing metrics to better represent user/beneficiary preferences 15

16 Next Steps Demonstrate that EGS analysis is tractable and adds value to the existing planning process Demonstrate that approaches, tools or models are acceptable and useful EGS model review completed EGS analysis tools will need to pass Corps review for direct use in designing restoration Tools to communicate benefits to stakeholders can cover a wide range of EGS and have more flexibility in requirements 16