TP18 Assessing Ecosystem Services and Benefits
Tuesday, 15 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(OWE-1117-811768) Progress on improving ecological benefits assessment in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Owens, N¹, Munns, W¹, Wheeler, W¹, Bruins, R¹, Lovell, S¹, Newbold, S¹, Norton, D¹, Corona, J, ¹ US EPA

ABSTRACT- Ecological benefits are defined as improvements in human well-being that result from actions to protect or restore ecosystems. Ecological benefits assessment (EBA) is analysis that quantifies those improvements and monetizes them when possible. Enhancing the quality of EBA is important for ensuring that environmental management measures, including both regulatory and nonregulatory programs, are effective. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed a new strategy for improving the ecological research, economic research and institutional arrangements that form the basis of its EBA capabilities. This presentation will review the recommendations contained in the strategy and discuss the Agency's approach for implementing those recommendations.

Key words: ecological benefits, regulatory agency, research, environmental management