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Ecological Functions and Socioeconomic Values of Critical Natural Capital as a Measure for Ecological Integrity and Environmental Health

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Implementing Ecological Integrity

Part of the book series: Nato Science Series ((NAIV,volume 1))

Abstract

To implement ecological integrity and restore environmental and human health, the concept of “sustainable development” is an important guiding principle. One of the first, but not much cited, references to the concept of “sustainable development” is the one given by IUCN, UNEP & WWF (dy1980) in their World Conservation Strategy: “the management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations”. Since then, many other definitions have been given, for example by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987, and at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. Unfortunately, most definitions did not explicitly mention the need to conserve the natural resource base. In its follow-up document to the World Conservation Strategy, Caring for the Earth, IUCN therefore expanded the concept to: “improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems” (IUCN, UNEP, WWF, 1991). An even more precise definition was given recently by Hueting and Reijnders (1998) who defined sustainability as “the use of the vital functions (possible uses) of our biophysical surroundings in such a way that they remain indefinitely available”.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Systems Analysis Group Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, The Netherlands

    Rudolf de Groot, Johan van der Perk, Anna Chiesura & Sophie Marguliew

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  1. Rudolf de Groot
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  2. Johan van der Perk
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  3. Anna Chiesura
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  4. Sophie Marguliew
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Research on the Integration of Environment and Economy, Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    P. Crabbé

  2. Philosophy Department, Furness College, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK

    A. Holland

  3. Research Centre for Agricultural and Forest Environment, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland

    L. Ryszkowski

  4. Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, USA

    L. Westra (Barbara B. and Bertram J. Cohn Professor of Environmental Studies) (Barbara B. and Bertram J. Cohn Professor of Environmental Studies)

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© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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de Groot, R., van der Perk, J., Chiesura, A., Marguliew, S. (2000). Ecological Functions and Socioeconomic Values of Critical Natural Capital as a Measure for Ecological Integrity and Environmental Health. In: Crabbé, P., Holland, A., Ryszkowski, L., Westra, L. (eds) Implementing Ecological Integrity. Nato Science Series, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5876-3_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5876-3_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-6352-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5876-3

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