Socio-Economic Issues

Social sciences and environmental economics have much to contribute to the process of delivery for the UK BAP and commitments at the European level. The need for true interdisciplinary research is recognised and must be facilitated.

Marine biodiversity and the provision of goods and services: identifying the research priorities.

Given the difficulties in sampling and understanding the processes occurring in the marine environment, comparatively little is known of how marine biodiversity contributes to the delivery of goods and services relied upon by people.

With this in mind a special sub group of the UK BRAG was convened to look at Marine biodiversity and the provision of goods and services. Their 2008 report is now available. The group membership was as follows:

Mel Austin	Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Mike Burrows	Scottish Association for Marine Science
Chris Frid	University of Liverpool
Roy Haines-Young	University of Nottingham
Keith Hiscock	Marine Biological Association
Dominic Moran	Scottish Agricultural College
Joanne Myers	Defra
Dave Paterson	University of St Andrews
Paul Rose	JNCC

UK BRAG Socio-Economic Issues Sub-Group

UK BRAG had also previously had a sub-group to co-ordinate work concerning socio-economic issues. The group reported in 2004 (see link below). The group membership was:

Charles Perrings	(Chair), University of Arizona
Helen Baker	(UKBRAG Secretariat), JNCC
Rob Tinch	Environmental Futures
Ian Dickie	RSPB
Dave Raffaelli	University of York
Michel Kaiser	University of Wales, Bangor
Ed Maltby	SWIMMER, University of Liverpool
Andy Swash	Defra
Shaun Mowat	Defra
Stefan Gabrynowicz	Natural England
Ralph Blaney	Scottish Natural Heritage
Simon Bilsborough	Countryside Council for Wales
Nicola Beaumont	Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Dominic Moran	Scottish Agricultural College
Liz O’Brien	Forest Research
David Carss	Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Banchory
Pat Snowdon	Forestry Commission
Andrew Stott	JNCC
Bob Henderson	Scottish Executive
Ronan Palmer	Environment Agency
Roy Haines-Young	University of Nottingham
Kerry Turner	CSERGE, University of East Anglia

Key Socio-Economic Issues Publications

A UK BRAG Research Strategy: Socio-economic and biodiversity research perspectives relevant to the delivery of the UK BAP (2004)

Perrings, C. & Ferris, R on behlf of UK BRAG Socio-economic issues sub-group

A paper regarding the analysis of the UK BAP and related policy commitments, to identify and prioritise socio-economic research needs.

Developing measures for valuing changes in biodiversity (2004)

Christie, M., Warren, J., Hanley, N., Murphy, K., Wright, R., Hyde, T. & Lyons, N., Report to Defra

This document reports the findings from the Defra funded research project 'Developing measures for valuing changes in biodiversity'.

How much is an ecosystem worth? - Assessing the economic value of conservation (2004)

Pagiola, S., von Ritter, K. & Bishop, J.

The World Bank, IUCN - The World Consevration Union and The Nature Conservancy have worked together to clarify the aims and uses of economic valuation.

The Economic, Social and Ecological Value of Ecosystem Services: a Literature Review (2005)

Economics for the Environment Consultancy (eftec)

This report presents the results of a broad review of the literature that has invesitgated the economic and other values of ecosystem goods and services.

The Green Buck

Le Quesne, T. & McNally, R. WWF-UK

This guide is intended to provide an introduction for the non-specialist to some of the approaches that economics can offer.

The use of market incentives to preserve biodiversity (2005)

Ecologic

The objective of this scoping study was to research how market based incentives are currently used for biodiversity consevration and to assess the success or failure of these instruments and their potential for further use.

Value of biodiversity - Documenting EU examples where biodiversity loss has led to the loss of ecosystem services (2006)

Kettunen, M. & ten Brink, P. IEEP

The objective of this study has been to bring together EU examples where biodiversity loss or the modification/loss of habitats accompanied by biodiversity loss has led to the loss/degredation of ecosystem services, and consequently to economic costs and/or social losses.

External Key Links

Biodiversity Economics

Aims to promote economic approaches to the conservation of nature by providing access to key documents, a calendar of events, and a database of practitioners around the world.

Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment

Based at the University of East Anglia, CSERGE are a leading interdisciplinary research centre in the field of environmental and sustainable development.

UK Network of Environmental Economists

Aims to bring together environmental economists from academia, consultancy and public and private sectors to foster closer relationships, follow recent developments and share experience.