Ecosystem Services: a Method for Sustainable Development

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ecosystem-services

Introduction

**Course Review: Ecosystem Services: a Method for Sustainable Development on Coursera** ### Overview The course "Ecosystem Services: a Method for Sustainable Development," available on Coursera, dives deeply into the critical intersection of ecological health and human well-being. As global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion escalate, understanding ecosystem services becomes pivotal. This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills to evaluate the goods and services nature provides, ultimately fostering sustainable development. ### Structure and Syllabus The course consists of six modules, each designed to build upon the previous one, offering a comprehensive learning experience: 1. **Module 1: Frontiers in Ecosystem Services** - This module introduces the concept of ecosystem services through a fun and educational TRADE-OFF game. Here, you will meet the instructors and engage with fundamental questions about the relationship between humans and nature. 2. **Module 2: Valuation of Ecosystem Services** - Participants learn about valuation—differentiating between price and value—and explore various methodologies for monetizing ecosystem services. This module also provides a broader perspective by incorporating non-Western worldviews, enriching the understanding of nature and biodiversity. 3. **Module 3: Understanding the Normative Dimensions of Ecosystem Services** - Dive into the socio-political context of ecological valuation, exploring historical developments and global trends like neoliberalism. This module encourages critical thinking about the ethical implications of ecosystem services, pushing students to reflect on their own positions. 4. **Module 4: Quantitative and Spatially-Explicit Assessment of Ecosystem Services** - Here, learners engage with the practical aspect of ecosystem services by utilizing existing data to assess and predict outcomes through mapping and modeling. This module features multiple case studies, illustrating the application of these concepts across various spatial scales. 5. **Module 5: Mainstreaming Ecosystem Services into Decision-Making Process** - This module deals with the challenge of integrating ecosystem service concepts into public policy. It explores strategies to encourage local, national, and international governments to adopt and implement sustainable practices, fostering a practical understanding of policy advocacy. 6. **Module 6: Create your own Ecosystem Services Case (optional)** - As a capstone project, this optional module allows students to apply their learning. By assessing a water-related ecosystem service using GIS tools, participants can engage deeply with real-world data and practice scenario modeling. ### Learning Outcomes By completing this course, students will be able to: - Define ecosystem services and understand their principles and limitations. - Analyze the socio-political context surrounding ecosystem valuation. - Apply quantitative methods to assess and predict ecosystem service values. - Advocate for the integration of ecosystem service concepts into effective policy-making. - Conduct a practical assessment of ecosystem services through a tailored case study. ### Recommendation "Ecosystem Services: a Method for Sustainable Development" is highly recommended for anyone interested in environmental science, policy-making, or sustainable development. It caters to a diverse audience, from students to professionals, looking to deepen their understanding of how ecological considerations can be integrated into decision-making. The blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and thought-provoking discussions makes this course a valuable investment in your educational journey. Whether you are a novice eager to explore the environmental sector or a seasoned professional aiming to enhance your skill set, this course provides the tools necessary to make a difference in advocating for sustainable practices. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and contribute positively to society and the environment. Sign up now and embark on your journey toward a more sustainable future!

Syllabus

Module 1: Frontiers in Ecosystem Services

Play the TRADE-OFF game (online), meet the primary instructors of this course, and discover the key questions that we will be revisiting throughout this course in this introductory module.

Here you learn about what is valuation, the difference between a price and a value, and various ways to derive a monetary estimate for different ecosystem services. You will also learn about world views that differ radically from the anglo-saxon model with respect to concepts such as "nature" and "biodiversity".

Valuing ecosystem services is a new way of thinking about nature and the environment. Such a change reflects contemporary norms and values, and speaks to contemporary trends in social, cultural, political and economic policies. In this module, you will learn about how the idea of ecosystem services was born, and get a grasp of the specific historical events, places and people who were behind it. You will also understand why it is useful to understand how this approach fits into global trends such as neoliberalism, learn to evalute how you position yourself within these normative and critical perspectives. You will reflect on whether it matters to think about the big picture, and become away of how such an approach can unexpectedly serve to perpetuate unethical or practices

Now that you have learned what are Ecosystem Services, as well as their strengths and limitations to be used in the environment policy arena, you should be curious to know how we can in fact monitor, model and predict their values in space and time. In this module, we will explore how existing data (e.g. elevation, climate, land use, remote sensing) can be used to assess Ecosystem Services through mapping and models. We will then see that once we have a model we can predict the outcomes of different scenarios on the value of Ecosystem Services. Scenarios are themselves particularly useful when interacting with various stakeholders, policy and decision makers. In order to illustrate this process, we present four case studies at various spatial scales: global, European, national and local.

The ecosystem service approach is based on the premise (and promise?) that more sustainable use of natural ressources can be identified through a scientific and social process (Modules 1-4). But how does one get governments (international, national, local) to adopt such practices and then to implement the policy recommendations? This is the challenge of "mainstreaming" a new idea. In this module, you will learn about the challenges and some tips for mainstreaming ecosystem services.

With this last optional module, we would like to give you the opportunity to move from theory to practice by encouraging you to assess a water related ecosystem services (water yield). The aim is to help you discover where you can find useful data to assess ES; how you have to prepare this geospatial data in Geographic information System (here QGIS); how you can use this data to run a simple hydrological model to assess water yield with a dedicated tool with the InVEST package; how you can explore plausible futures of this water resource through scenarios; and finally how you can interpret the outputs of your model as maps in QGIS. Data for a case study is provided with the Tana River basin in Kenya, but you are encouraged to reproduce similar results with your own case study from anywhere in the World. If it will be easier to complete this exercise if you already are somewhat familiar with GIS.