Natural Asset valuation for Municipal ecosystem services

Edmonton’s natural assets (its forests, wetlands, grasslands, rivers and streams) provide core service functions such as water treatment, rainwater management, flood protection, recreation, habitat, and pollination. The presence and health of such natural assets influence the levels of service that can be provided or supported by a Municipality, ultimately influencing the overall well-being and livability of the City. However, without appropriate understanding, recognition and documentation of the services provided by Edmonton’s natural assets, they are at risk of continued degradation and/or loss. Recent work has shown that natural assets are particularly vulnerable when there is no understood or accepted value to the services that natural assets provide as compared to the readily calculable benefits of grey infrastructure development. In order to address this gap in knowledge, in 2021 the City of Edmonton initiated a project to inventory the City’s natural assets as a first step in the sustainable management of its natural assets.

Faculty Supervisor:

Robert Summers

Student:

Partner:

City of Edmonton

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Public administration

University:

University of Alberta

Program: