Ecosystem Services

The concept of ecosystem services has a long history, dating to at least the time of Plato. It has since gained attention in economics and ecology research and conservation applications. We review this history, including a focus on the advances made in the influential Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, and key advances in spatial modeling, economic valuation, and implementation. We provide examples of implementation including water funds, marine spatial planning, land-use planning and human development, and global policy efforts. We conclude with a discussion of the largest research and implementation challenges in this field, identifying the issues that will frame the evolution of concept of ecosystem services.