1. Background of the research
The evaluation of ecosystem services has focused on estimating the unit values of individual service items. Although ecosystem services are defined as ‘the benefits humans derive from ecosystems,’ the unit value approximates the final product value as a proxy for assessing the services provided by ecosystems. To apply the meaning and value of ecosystem services to policy, it is necessary to understand the ‘ecological processes’ beyond the economic value of the final products. This study presents two proposed improvements for understanding and evaluating ecosystem services from a process-oriented perspective.
1.1 Quantification of ecological contribution
To determine the proportion of ecosystem service value that is purely contributed by nature, an analysis from the supply side is necessary. Unlike demand-based valuation methodologies, biophysical approaches estimate value from the supply side. Utilizing the emergy methodology, which assesses the total value of all inputs used to produce specific goods or services, this study developed a method for estimating the ecological contribution of ecosystem provisioning services, including agricultural, forestry, livestock, and fishery products. We also calculated ecological contribution of the products using Korea’s statistical data.
1.2 A framework for assessment of ecosystem service interactions
Ecosystem services generally involve a relationship where various types of services interact. To develop opt ...