Advances in Soil Ecosystem Services: Concepts, Models, and Applications for Earth System Life Support
David A. RobinsonBethanna JacksonBrent ClothierEstelle DominatiS.C. MarchantDavid CooperKeith L. Bristow
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Abstract:
The ecosystem services approach is gaining wide acceptance at the policy‐making level as a framework for integrating science and policy regarding the natural environment. It is important that soil science clearly articulates how knowledge and understanding of the vadose zone soils can be transmitted through this framework into the decision‐making process. Competition between food production, living space, and maintaining habitat for all of earth's life‐forms has never been so intense, so the need for soil security and vadose zone protection is paramount. Soil management can no longer be thought of in terms of single function management but instead needs to be considered and managed in the context of the multiple functions it offers. In this 10th anniversary issue of the journal, we assess progress in the development of a coherent soil ecosystem services framework using the natural resource management stock‐flow and fund‐service resource approach. We go on to examine some of the areas where the application of an ecosystems approach is gaining traction, which include national and local decision making as well as support for legal arguments in court.Keywords:
Soil functions
Natural Resource Management
Ecosystem Management
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Total human ecosystem
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Whereas ecosystem service research is increasingly being promoted in science and policy, the utilisation of ecosystem services knowledge remains largely underexplored for regional ecosystem management. To overcome the mere generation of knowledge and contribute to decision-making, scientists are facing the challenge of articulating specific implications of the ecosystem service approach for practical land use management. In this contribution, we compare the results of participatory mapping of ecosystem services with the existing management plan for the Pentland Hills Regional Park (Scotland, UK) to inform its future management plan. By conducting participatory mapping in a workshop with key stakeholders (n = 20), we identify hotspots of ecosystem services and the landscape features underpinning such hotspots. We then analyse to what extent these landscape features are the focus of the current management plan. We found a clear mismatch between the key landscape features underpinning the provision of ecosystem services and the management strategy suggested. Our findings allow for a better understanding of the required focus of future land use management to account for ecosystem services.
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