Introduction

The concept of ecosystem services has received significant attention since the appearance of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2003). Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems (Box 9.1). A growing body of knowledge is developing on ecosystem services. Knowledge institutes around the world have worked with the concept of ecosystem services for years already. Environmental economics have produced an impressive collection of valuation studies (more than 3,000 have been reported by Environmental Valuation Reference Inventory (EVRI)), applying valuation techniques with ever increasing sophistication and reliability. Gradually the approach is being applied in practice, to support decision making and to guide development into a more sustainable direction. Yet, cases where economic valuation of ecosystem services has actually contributed to or exerted influence on strategic decision making on real-life policies, programmes, or plans remain scarce (Van Beukering et al., 2008). As Ehrlig already stated,