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Ecosystem Services
Background
Ecosystem services are the benefits that people receive from the natural environment. These benefits include food, freshwater, disaster reduction, medicine and recreation. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment raised the profile of ecosystem services with policymakers and the public. The report warned that many ecosystem services are being degraded.
In December 2007, Defra published "Securing a healthy natural environment: an action plan for embedding an ecosystems approach", a framework for greater consideration of a holistic ecosystems view in strategy and decision making, along with a guide for decision makers on how to begin to value ecosystem services. Members of the BES were involved in research for Defra to inform this policy, and many were involved in workshops to assist Defra as the approach developed.
The BES cntinues to work to help develop the ecosystem service framework in the UK through organising meetings and producing reports.
BES Activities
Other Information
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