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Economic Valuation of Agroforestry Ecosystem Services

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Agroforestry and Ecosystem Services

Abstract

Agroforestry systems provide many ecosystem services that generate significant economic value to society. This chapter synthesizes current knowledge and methods on the economic valuation of ecosystem services, particularly those provided by agroforestry systems. We begin with a definition of ecosystem services from agroforestry. Common methods used to measure economic values are described and limitations are discussed. We surveyed estimated economic values of ecosystem services from agroforestry in the literature. Our review suggests that the economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by agroforestry has received limited attention. We outline suggestions for future assessment of the economic value of ecosystem services of agroforestry.

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Abbreviations

BT:

Benefit transfer

RP:

Revealed preference

SP:

Stated preference

TEV:

Total economic value

WTA:

Willingness-to-accept

WTP:

Willingness-to-pay

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Agroforestry, The School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Zhen Cai

  2. Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umea, Sweden

    Francisco X. Aguilar

Authors
  1. Zhen Cai
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  2. Francisco X. Aguilar
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Correspondence to Zhen Cai .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Ranjith P. Udawatta

  2. College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Shibu Jose

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Cai, Z., Aguilar, F.X. (2021). Economic Valuation of Agroforestry Ecosystem Services. In: Udawatta, R.P., Jose, S. (eds) Agroforestry and Ecosystem Services. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80060-4_18

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