Ecosystem services research in Latin America: The state of the art

• Published in: Ecosystem services Vol. 2; pp. 56 - 70
• Main Authors: Balvanera, Patricia, Uriarte, María, Almeida-Leñero, Lucía, Altesor, Alice, DeClerck, Fabrice, Gardner, Toby, Hall, Jefferson, Lara, Antonio, Laterra, Pedro, Peña-Claros, Marielos, Silva Matos, Dalva M., Vogl, Adrian L., Romero-Duque, Luz Piedad, Arreola, Luis Felipe, Caro-Borrero, Ángela Piedad, Gallego, Federico, Jain, Meha, Little, Christian, de Oliveira Xavier, Rafael, Paruelo, José M., Peinado, Jesús Emilio, Poorter, Lourens, Ascarrunz, Nataly, Correa, Francisco, Cunha-Santino, Marcela B., Hernández-Sánchez, Amabel Paula, Vallejos, María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Bodembiologie; Bodembiologie en biologische bodemkwaliteit; Bosecologie en Bosbeheer; Chair Soil Biology and Biological Soil Quality; Forest Ecology and Forest Management; Leerstoelgroep Bodembiologie en biologische Bodemkwaliteit; Leerstoelgroep Bosecologie en bosbeheer; Payments for ecosystem services; PE&RC; Service delivery; Service supply; Service value; Soil Biology; Soil Biology and Biological Soil Quality; Tradeoffs among ecosystem services; Service delivery; Service value; Service supply; Tradeoffs among ecosystem services; Payments for ecosystem services
• ISSN: 2212-0416; 2212-0416
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2012.09.006

Ecosystem services science has developed at a fast rate in Latin America, a region characterized by a high biological and cultural diversity, strong emphasis in foreign investment, and high socioeconomic inequities. Here we conducted the following analyses at the regional and national scales: (1) how and when did the study of ecosystem services arise in each country?, (2) what is our present understanding of ecosystem service supply, delivery to societies, and social and economic values?, (3) what is the state of the art in integrating tradeoffs among services and in using interdisciplinary perspectives?, and (4) how has ecosystem service research been connected to policy design or management for sustainability? A large literature review (>1000 references) showed that in Latin America ES supply and links to policy have been the most frequently assessed. Overall, emphasis has been placed on a few services, namely carbon and water. Payments for ecosystem services have received considerable attention in the region, though with strong differences across nations and with important limitations in their application. The future of the ecosystem service paradigm in Latin America will largely depend on its capacity to demonstrate effectiveness in meeting both conservation and development goals. ► Ecosystem service research has developed rapidly in Latin America. ► Ecosystem service supply and policy have been most frequently addressed. ► Emphasis has been given to carbon and water. ► Payments for ecosystem services are increasingly being implemented in the region, though with strong differences among countries and facing important challenges. ► Meeting both conservation and development goals is most needed.