Ecosystem Services Screening Criteria
An ecosystem services approach can enhance conservation strategies by providing access to new sources of long-term financing, supporting greater impact at a wider scale, and opening new avenues for advancing conservation with institutions that do not traditionally consider the environment in their decision-making. However, an ecosystem services approach may not always be the best way to achieve conservation. Success depends on an enabling context and effective project design. It is therefore critical to screen an ecosystem services approach early on.
The screening criteria describe the ten most important criteria that influence the likelihood of success of an ecosystem services approach to conservation. The ten criteria fit within two categories:
- the cost-effective and verifiable delivery of ecosystem services and conservation benefits
- various legal, institutional, social and economic conditions.
Who should use the screening criteria? Conservation practitioners interested in using an ecosystem services approach to help achieve conservation.
Why screen? To determine if conditions are favorable for an ecosystem services approach to conservation. Screening will help evaluate key strengths, weaknesses, and information gaps that need to be addressed if an ecosystem services approach is taken forward.
When should the screening criteria be applied? Screening should be conducted during project conceptualization and design, before significant investments have been made. The screening criteria are intended to support an informal evaluation of the opportunity, based on existing knowledge and information.
What is the next step after screening? If the screening process indicates favorable conditions for an ecosystem services approach, then the next step may be to seek technical assistance to support a more comprehensive feasibility assessment (in areas where the screening process identified information gaps) and project design. If only a few criteria are met, it may be worth re-considering whether to pursue an ecosystem services approach.
Download the screening criteria framework
Download the screening criteria framework in Portuguese
Download a brochure describing the screening criteria
Download a presentation on the screening criteria