Ecosystem Services in Patagonia: A Multi-criteria approach for an integrated assessment

PL PERI; L NAHUELHUAL; G MARTÍNEZ PASTUR

Springer

Lugar: Cham; Año: 2021 p. 501

978-3-030-69166-0

This book aims to quantify and discuss how societies have directly and indirectly benefitedfrom ecosystem services in Patagonia; not only in terms of provisioning and cultural services,but also regulating and supporting services. Patagonia, a region that stretches across twocountries (ca. 10% in Chile and 90% in Argentina), is home to some of the most extensivewilderness areas on our planet. Natural grasslands comprise almost 30% of the Americas,including the Patagonian steppe, while Patagonian southern temperate forests are importantfor carbon sequestration and storage, play a pivotal role in water regulation, and have becomewidely recognized for their ecotourism value. However, profound changes are now underwaythat could affect key ecosystem functions and ultimately human well-being. In this context, onemajor challenge we face in Patagonia is that ecosystem services are often ignored in economicmarkets, government policies and land management practices. The book explores the synergiesand trade-offs between conservation and economic development as natural landscapes andseascapes continue to degrade in Patagonia. Historically, economic markets have largelyfocused on the provisioning services (forest products, livestock) while neglecting theinterdependent roles of regulating services (erosion and climate control), supporting services(nutrient cycling) and cultural services (recreation, local identity, tourism).