EIA Pilot Study: Project Background

• Objectives: test integration of ecosystem services into a corporate EIA application

• Study contexto Pump station construction project in subalpine

meadow, Caucasus Region (Eurasia)o Pilot study performed separate from, but in parallel

with, EIA

2013 EcoMetrix Solutions Group, LLC

Social Equity

Economy

Ecological Social

Ecological Economic

Receptor Dependency

Service Flows

Change in Production

Ecosystem Services Framework

SERVICES

FUNCTIONS

LANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES

VALUECommunities and local stakeholders will prioritize natural benefits based on dependence, desire, or other factors. This prioritized value can be measured through either economic or non-economic means.Natural benefits produced on a site can be measured as benefit flows across a landscape. Changing those benefit flows will have social and economic consequences.Nature performs functions which we rely on for survival and quality of life – these benefits are provided by the complex interaction of many functions.Landscape conditions associated with vegetation, water regime, soil, topography etc. determine the extent to which ecological functions are performed (biotic and abiotic).

2013 EcoMetrix Solutions Group, LLC

Project Site – Land Cover/Use

Alternatives ConsideredDesign Alternative

EcoMetrix Alternative

Breaking Down SilosSheep and cattle grazing Stone chapel built on holy spring

Grazing vs. forest vs. wetlands vs. holy springHoly spring and forest

Lessons Learned

It is important to actually understanding the underlying ecological processes and context before jumping into any valuation exercise. 

The valuation approach needs to be driven by the decision being made.o Corollary: Non-economic valuing can be very

important within a decision making process.  It is important not to predetermine which services

are important (and therefore worth measuring).