Navigating pluralism: Understanding perceptions of the ecosystem services concept

• Published in: Ecosystem services Vol. 36; p. 100892
• Main Authors: Ainscough, Jacob, de Vries Lentsch, Aster, Metzger, Marc, Rounsevell, Mark, Schröter, Matthias, Delbaere, Ben, de Groot, Rudolf, Staes, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-04-2019
• Subjects: Boundary object; Ecosystem services; Guided pluralism; Science-policy interface; Sustainability; Guided pluralism; Science-policy interface; Boundary object; Ecosystem services; Sustainability
• ISSN: 2212-0416; 2212-0416
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.01.004

•Exploration of views of ecosystem services concept from different users.•Ecosystem services concept not currently seen as a decision support tool.•Future ecosystem services research should integrate social and cultural values.•Ecosystem services research and practice should integrate sustainability principles.•Tension exists between standardisation and pluralism within ecosystem services.
Being open to multiple interpretations allows the ecosystem services concept to operate as a boundary object, facilitating communication and cooperation between different user groups. Yet there is a risk the resultant pluralism limits the capacity of ecosystem services assessments to directly inform decision and policy making, and that the concept could be used to support environmentally or socially harmful activities. Here, we report results from a large mixed methods survey conducted among academics, policymakers and practitioners working in the field of ecosystem services across Europe. We use these results to explore the trade-off that exists between the role of ecosystem services as a boundary object and the needs of policy and decision makers of more standardisation. We conclude this can be done by working towards the standardisation of ecosystem service assessments within specific jurisdictions, whilst maintaining forums for debate, collaboration, and critical reflection within the broader ecosystem services community. We also aim to deduce guiding principles to ensure the ecosystem services concept is not used to support detrimental activities. The consideration of shared and cultural values, the expansion of inter- and transdisciplinary work and the integration of the concept of sustainability are identified as valuable guiding principles to this end.