Evaluation of ecosystem services to mitigate land degradation through integrated framework

Abstract

In recent years, the links between ecosystem services and its valuation as a part of environmental economics and Natural resources accountings have been explored in developmental context. The significance of incorporating valuation of ecosystem services is to take actions towards the neglect of ecosystems and biodiversity in economic policies and developmental strategies, by making the tangible and intangible values visible for the benefit to humans. By venturing into environmental economics, the phenomenon of land degradation is undertaken to explore a way ahead in bringing economic and non-economic values into spatial planning process. Furthermore, this will enable incorporating physical accounts in monetary terms by providing strong foundation to establish a framework for mitigating land degradation, thereby will be in harmony with the international and national commitments. AIM | OBJECTIVE Based on the background and the literature review conducted, the aim and objectives were formulated. The aim of the study is to develop a methodological framework along with spatial integration of values provided by ecosystem services for mitigating land degradation in West Melghat forest division. To achieve the aforesaid aim, four objectives are formed as mentioned below. First Objective is identifying and assessing the causes of land degradation in West Melghat forest division. Second objective targets at analyzing the indicators of provisioning ecosystem services, followed by which valuation of critical ecosystem services addressing land degradation has been done in third objective. Lastly zoning and spatial methodological framework has been proposed for mitigating land degradation. For fulfilling the objectives formulated, extensive review of literature and case studies was carried out. Based on this, the study has been conducted in seven stages, from conceptualization, to proposals.