Topic Introduction

Identifying the interactions and tradeoffs in ecosystem services enables policymakers to identify the long-term effects of ES and which particular ES would be most likely preferred in a local community. This topic gives an overview of these interactions and tradeoffs among forest ecosystem services.

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Explain the relevance of identifying tradeoffs in forest ecosystem services;
• Classify ecosystem services tradeoffs; and
• Demonstrate capability to assess tradeoffs between ecosystem services.

Topic Readings

Required Readings

• Peña, L. Onaindia, M., de Manuel, B.F., Arregi, I.A., and Arzuaga, I.C. (2018). Analsing the synergies and trade-offs between ecosystem services to reorient landuse planning in Metropolitan Bilbao (Northern Spain). Sustainability 10: 1-22.
• Haase, D., N. Schwarz, M. Strohbach, F. Kroll, and R. Seppelt. (2012). Synergies, trade-offs, and losses of ecosystem services in urban regions: an integrated multiscale framework applied to the Leipzig-Halle region, Germany. Ecology and Society 17 (3): 22
• Module 2 Notebook Download Module 2 Notebook

Optional Readings

• Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis. Island Press, Washington, DC.
• Masiero, M., D. Pettenella, M. Boscolo, S.K. Barua, I. Animon, and R. Matta. (2019). Valuing Forest Ecosystem Services: A training manual for planners and project developers. Rome: FAO.

Fundamental Concepts

• Tradeoffs
• Reversibility
• Time Scale / Temporal Tradeoffs
• Spatial Scale or Spatial Tradeoffs
• Unknown Tradeoffs
• Anticipated Tradeoffs

Video Lectures

Lesson 2.3 - 8 minutes

Note: To view Interactive Video on Lesson 2.3 (SCORM), use Firefox to access and open it.

Self-test Quiz

After viewing video lectures, take 10 minutes now to take the self-check quiz at Online Self-test 2.3.

Activities & Assignments

Online Discussions

Online Forum 2.3 -  Values of Ecosystem Services

Instructions:

1. During the first three days of the week, comment on at least two of your peers’ new post.
2. During days 4-7, after getting comments from your peers, improve your answers or respond to their comments.
3. In your new post, which includes the revised answers to 3.A and 3.B, add your answer to question 3.C. by using what you have learned in this topic.

Topic Summary

The topic introduced the different classifications of ecosystem services tradeoffs. These are important to understand the interactions among forest ecosystem services and which among the ES would be preferred by the local community depending on its reversibility in space and time.

Topic Self-review (Optional)

Use the following self-reflection questions as study guide to conduct your self-review for the topic.

1. In my own community, what are the trade-offs that I can observe with how forest ecosystem services are being used?
2. How can my community change in minimizing these trade-offs?