The economic value of the planet's forest ecosystems: A meta-analysis

Economic valuation of forest ecosystem services is a way of demonstrating their importance to society and decision making, which can help improve forest policy, planning and management.

This policy briefing note summarizes the main findings of a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of economic valuation studies. The authors conclude that literature on economic valuation of forest ecosystem services has been limited in terms of its coverage of some of the world’s most important forest regions and ecological zones. The study also reveals a preponderance in the literature for market-pricing techniques over non-market techniques, reflecting the historically greater focus on estimating a narrow set of extractive uses, particularly managed forestry for timber. Finally, the policy brief underlines the importance of considering the economic value of multiple ecosystem services when formulating public policy that supports forest conservation over the management of forest for single-use, extractive industrial production, or clearing for mineral extraction and agriculture.