Forest Ecosystem Services and Valuation

Ecosystems worldwide are degrading and depleting. The unsustainable patterns of production and consumption of resources has resulted in resource insecurities, economic and livelihood retardations. The linkages between optimal resources utilization and sustainability have often been missed out. The services that are provided by ecosystems are not just limited to food, fibre and water. However these services are now at threat in matters of quality and quantity, thereby posing challenges to human and resource sustainability. Human society has always shown concern for things they pay for and thus the mechanism of pricing the services of ecosystems evolved. This book on forest ecosystem services and valuation attempts to identify some of the services provided by Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Ranchi, Jharkhand state (India). The book is segmented into six chapters focusing on concepts, opinions and case study for valuation. The book is targeted to a wider audience such as researchers, academicians, and policy makers.