The Economics of Ecosystems demonstrates how the concepts of economic efficiency, sustainability and equity can be applied in ecosystem management. The book presents an overview of these three key concepts, a framework for their analysis and modelling and three case studies. Specific attention is given to how complex ecosystem dynamics, such as thresholds or irreversible responses, influence ecosystem management options. The book has a quantitative approach presenting general formulas for capturing ecosystem dynamics and for analysing the societal benefits provided by ecosystems. The modelling approach is illustrated with three detailed case studies that focus on the ecosystem dynamics and ecosystem services supply of a hypothetical forest ecosystem, a Dutch wetland ecosystem, and a rangeland in the Western Sahel. Integrating ecology and economics, this informative book will appeal to postgraduate students in environmental sciences and environmental economics as well as ecosystem managers.

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