Ecosystem Services
Nature generates myriad goods and services that benefit humankind, such air and water purification, coastal storm and flood protection, and space for outdoor recreation. RFF experts synthesize economic, ecological, and policy analysis to develop innovative and cost-effective environmental management solutions that account for the benefits of natural systems.
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Resources Radio — Jan 9, 2024
The Benefits of Biomes in a Changing Climate, with Bernie Bastien-Olvera
Bernie Bastien-Olvera discusses the benefits of ecosystems for humans, how climate change is shifting ecosystems geographically, and the implications of these shifts for different regions of the world.
Media Highlight — Dec 15, 2022
Scientific American: "How Water Cycles Can Help Prevent Disastrous Floods and Droughts"
A journal article coauthored by Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller on the economic benefits of wetlands is covered in this story by Scientific American.
Media Highlight — Dec 5, 2022
Outrider: "Is a River Infrastructure? Experts Say the US is Rediscovering the Value of Natural Systems"
A story about the importance of riverine ecosystem services extensively quotes Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller.
Media Highlight — Nov 16, 2022
Nature: "Smarter Ways with Water"
An article in Nature Magazine about our relationship with water quotes RFF Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller and cites her work on the economic value of wetlands.
Journal Article — Jun 27, 2022
Accounting for Ecosystem Service Values in Climate Policy
In a comment for Nature Climate Change, RFF Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller reflects on the need to incorporate the ecosystem impacts of climate change into the social cost of carbon.
Journal Article — Apr 1, 2022
Wetlands, Flooding, and the Clean Water Act
Wetlands, Flooding, and the Clean Water Act
Working Paper — Aug 23, 2021
Wetlands, Flooding, and the Clean Water Act
This study estimates the value of wetlands in flood mitigation in the United States, finding that one hectare of wetland provides $2,300 in annual flood mitigation value.
Journal Article — Nov 23, 2020
Estimating Forest Sustainability Bond Prices for Natural Resource and Ecosystem Services Markets
Estimating Forest Sustainability Bond Prices for Natural Resource and Ecosystem Services Markets
RFF Live — Dec 17, 2019
Healthy Soils for a Healthier Planet
Healthy Soils for a Healthier Planet
Workshop — Sep 9, 2015
Reforming Today’s Conservation and Environmental Policies for Tomorrow’s Scarcity (and Abundance)
Reforming Today’s Conservation and Environmental Policies for Tomorrow’s Scarcity (and Abundance)
Workshop — May 27, 2015
Creative Conservation: How Humanity Innovates to Protect Nature
Creative Conservation: How Humanity Innovates to Protect Nature
Workshop — Oct 2, 2013
The Future of US Water Supplies
The Future of US Water Supplies
Resources Radio — Jan 9, 2024
The Benefits of Biomes in a Changing Climate, with Bernie Bastien-Olvera
Bernie Bastien-Olvera discusses the benefits of ecosystems for humans, how climate change is shifting ecosystems geographically, and the implications of these shifts for different regions of the world.
Resources Magazine — May 20, 2021
Federal Climate Policy Toolkit: Land Use, Forestry, and Agriculture
A review of the federal policy options for increasing land-related carbon storage and reducing emissions from agricultural land uses and production activities.
Common Resources — Apr 28, 2021
Can Timber Extraction Permits Help Conserve Tropical Forests?
Some claim that awarding permits for timber extraction can help conserve tropical forests by discouraging illegal logging and land-use change. A recent journal article examines whether satellite data measuring forest loss support this claim.
Common Resources — Apr 14, 2021
Getting to 30x30: Important Considerations for the Biden Administration’s Conservation Agenda
RFF’s Alexandra Thompson and Margaret Walls answer key questions that surround the Biden administration’s ambitious push to conserve 30 percent of US lands and waters by 2030.
Media Highlight — Dec 15, 2022
Scientific American: "How Water Cycles Can Help Prevent Disastrous Floods and Droughts"
A journal article coauthored by Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller on the economic benefits of wetlands is covered in this story by Scientific American.
Media Highlight — Dec 5, 2022
Outrider: "Is a River Infrastructure? Experts Say the US is Rediscovering the Value of Natural Systems"
A story about the importance of riverine ecosystem services extensively quotes Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller.
Media Highlight — Nov 16, 2022
Nature: "Smarter Ways with Water"
An article in Nature Magazine about our relationship with water quotes RFF Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller and cites her work on the economic value of wetlands.
Media Highlight — Jan 25, 2022
New Study Quantifies Wetland Benefits as WOTUS Debate Heats Up
A story in InsideEPA details a paper coauthored by RFF Fellow Hannah Druckenmiller about the value of wetlands in preventing flood damage.