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Conservation economics: economic analysis of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services

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Abstract

Economic analysis has much to contribute to understanding and analyzing the conservation of biological diversity and the provision of ecosystem services. These issues are vitally important and relatively understudied by economists to date. Application of economic tools is needed to understand the benefits and costs of conserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. Application of economic tools is needed to evaluate management and policy options both in terms of cost effectiveness and cost—benefit analysis. This article reviews recent developments in the area of conservation economics and discusses important challenges that remain.

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Polasky, S. Conservation economics: economic analysis of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Environ Econ Policy Stud 10, 1–20 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03353976

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