A Global Assessment of the Law and Policy of Ecosystem Services

Abstract

This article assesses the approaches that different national governments have employed to provide and conserve ecosystem services, focusing on policy instruments and common-law court decisions. Applying the lessons learned from this review, we address strategies for conservation of mangrove ecosystem services in Australia, focusing on the importance of creating a strong political mandate and demonstrating a clear connection between mangrove conservation and the benefits provided by mangrove services. This requires further research on which beneficiaries would be harmed, and by how much, if the mangrove service flows are reduced. Policy uptake can be slow. It has taken years in other jurisdictions for policies protecting ecosystem services to be adopted, and this will likely be the path in Australia as well.