Report puts a value on nature

3 June 2011

For the first time the health and social benefits we enjoy from our natural environment have been valued as being worth billions of pounds to the UK economy.

We tend to focus on the market value of resources we can use and sell, such as timber, crops and fish stocks, but this has led to the decline of some ecosystems and habitats, through pollution, over-exploitation, and land conversion.

A new report highlights the importance of protecting and enhancing the environment and will be used by the government to direct policy in future.

The UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) examines the full range of services provided across eight different habitats. It puts a value for things that we often take for granted because we get them for free, yet they are crucial elements in our economy and wellbeing.

The UK NEA estimates that the health benefits of living with a view of a green space are worth up to £300 per person per year, for example. Pollinators are worth £430m per year to British agriculture; and the benefits that inland wetlands bring to water quality are worth up to £1·5b per year to the UK.

Professor Andrew Watkinson, Director of the Living with Environmental Change partnership, said that the comprehensive assessment is 'a fantastic achievement.'

"For the first time we've got the evidence and we can now say which ecosystems and ecosystem services are in good condition, and which need some work. They have faced a range of economic threats and drivers which have had an impact," he said.

"Looking forward, clearly climate change is going to have an impact on ecosystems and services as well, so it's critical that we make sure they are as resilient as possible."

Professor Watkinson went on to say that a huge range of people need to take notice of the assessment - from researchers wanting to identify any gaps in research to businesses needing to build on their use of ecosystems and the services they provide.

The Synthesis of the Key Findings along with the Technical Report, which forms the evidence base, can be downloaded from the UK NEA website.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Report puts a value on nature

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