Linking Ecosystem Indicators to Ecosystem Services Christine Davis* G. Van Houtven, C. Mansfield, M. Cutrofello, and M. O Neil *Health and Environmental Impacts Division, OAQPS U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Institute
Overview NOx/SOx Secondary NAAQS review Background Categories of ecosystem effects Linking ecosystem indicators of effect to ecosystem services Case Studies Indicators Services Valuation of benefits related to reduction in deposition of N and S
Secondary NAAQS for NOx and SOx National Ambient Air Quality Standard Primary set to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety Secondary - set to protect public welfare from known or anticipated adverse effects Changes in economic values can be used to characterize adverse effects
Nitrogen- and Sulfur-related related Ecological Effects Four main ecosystem-effect categories identified: Aquatic Enrichment Eutrophication of estuarine ecosystems Terrestrial Enrichment Nutrient damages to sensitive forest and sage scrub habitats Aquatic Acidification Damages to freshwater lake and stream ecosystems Terrestrial Acidification Damages to forest ecosystems 12/23/2008 4
Effects on Ecosystem Services: Key Issues For each ecosystem-effect category: Which services most impacted? Quantify ecosystem services and link to changes in indicators? What is the value (benefits) of improving these ecosystem services?
Aquatic Enrichment Case Study Ecological Indicator: NOAA s assessment of estuarine trophic status (ASSETS) score Main focus is on two East Coast estuaries Potomac River and Neuse
Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Nutrient Enrichment Provisioning Services commercial fisheries Cultural Services Water-based recreation services Aesthetic services Nonuse/existence services Regulating Services Flood/storm protection 12/23/2008 7
Chesapeake Bay Region Commercial Landings Value in 2007 State Species Value Maryland BLUE CRAB $30,433,777 STRIPED BASS $5,306,728 CLAMS OR BIVALVES $5,007,952 SEA SCALLOP $2,808,984 OYSTER, EASTERN $2,524,045 OTHER $6,190,474 TOTAL $52,271,960 Virginia SEA SCALLOP $62,891,848 MENHADEN $25,350,740 BLUE CRAB $13,222,135 CROAKER, ATLANTIC $4,615,924 STRIPED BASS $3,834,906 CLAM, NORTHERN QUAHOG $3,691,319 SUMMER FLOUNDER $3,186,229 OTHER $16,954,893 TOTAL $130,561,765 Source: NOAA 12/23/2008 8
Measuring Changes in Provisioning Services Long term impacts require models bioeconomic models One Neuse estuary bioeconomic model links nutrient loads to hypoxia on blue crab fishery Short term impacts of fish kills. Stated preference study 12/23/2008 9
Valuation Techniques Aquatic Enrichment Targeted Effect Indicator: Eutrophication Index Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Chlorophyll a Dissolved Oxygen Targeted Services Recreational Fisheries Catch Rate Studies link DO to catch rates Valuation Techniques Meta-Analysis Studies of revealed and stated preference studies for WTP for change in catch rates Water Quality (DO) Boating Contingent Valuation Travel Cost Model 5-pt Water Quality Scale Total N and P (TN x TP) Beach Use Travel Cost Total N and P (TN x TP) Aesthetic Services Housing Price Studies 10
Steps for Estimating Changes in Recreational Fishing Services in the Chesapeake Bay Studies estimating values for the Chesapeake Bay use different measures of water quality changes in the estuary linking these measures to the ASSETS scale indicator requires strong assumptions Link change in ASSETS score to changes in average DO Estimate change in average catch rate Estimate value of increased catch Estimate aggregate recreational fishing benefits 12/23/2008 11
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Terrestrial Enrichment Case Study Case study examines nutrient enrichment two landscape types in California Mixed conifer forest (MCF) Coastal sage scrub (CSS) 12/23/2008 13
Ecosystem Services and Terrestrial Nutrient Enrichment Cultural Services Recreation hiking, hunting, and other similar activities Cultural, aesthetic aesthetic value of Coastal Sage Scrub landscape Nonuse/preservation threatened and endangered species loss of biodiversity Regulating Services Fire frequency (property damage, damage to recreational areas, damage to TES habitat) Nitrate leaching Invasive species 12/23/2008 14
Valuation Techniques Terrestrial Enrichment Targeted Effect Indicator: CSS Root Biomass Change in Species Composition Nitrate Leaching Mixed Conifer Forest Root Biomass Lichens Nitrate Leaching CSS Nitrogen Deposition Targeted Services Increase in Fire Susceptibility Recreation Valuation Techniques Fire-related property damage Housing Price Study Studies valuing hiking and biking trips Park use CSS/MCF Species Protection WTP studies for endangered species preservation 15
Adirondacks Lake Acidification Case Study 44 modeled lakes (using MAGIC) in Adirondacks Baseline: current (2002) and future ANC at lakes without CAIR Policy scenario: current and future ANC with CAIR 12/23/2008 16
Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Acidification Provisioning Services Freshwater ecosystems affected by acidification are not a major source of commercial fish Cultural Services Recreation: recreational fishing is expected to be the largest individual category affected by freshwater acidification Nonuse/preservation value Regulating Services 12/23/2008 17
Valuation Techniques Aquatic Acidification Targeted Effect Indicator: Acid Neutralizing Capacity Targeted Services Valuation Techniques ANC Recreational Fisheries Travel Cost Site Choice Model RFF Contingent Valuation Study Collaborating with CAMD to identify, quantify and value services for this case study 18
Forest Acidification Case Study Ecological Indicator: Base Cation: Aluminum (BC/Al) ratio in forest soils Focus is on two major commercial tree species sugar maple and red spruce 12/23/2008 19
Steps for Estimating Changes In Forest Provisioning Services Estimate exposure-response for red spruce and sugar maple Predict change in species volume by region Estimate change in value forest product markets 12/23/2008 20
Total N+S Deposition in the Range of Sugar Maple 12/23/2008 21
Total N+S Deposition in the Range of Red Spruce 12/23/2008 22
Valuation Techniques Terrestrial Acidification Targeted Effect Indicator: Base Cation:Al Ratio Targeted Services Valuation Techniques BC to Al ratio Timber Production Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model Maple Syrup Production Recreational Use Estimate the value of the current maple syrup market Estimate fall color tourism Estimate WTP for forest preservation 23
Summary Ecosystem Services can play a role in policy decisions Information concentrated in a few areas Strong assumptions are required in many cases but the exercise can be useful Large gaps for research to fill