Ecosystem services of forest in the political context: importance and types of arguments
2011
Moser, T | Zimmermann, W., ETH Zuerich, Zuerich (Switzerland). Institut fuer Umweltentscheidungen (IED)
The majority of ecosystem services can be described as public or semi-public goods, whose utilisation does not follow market principles. From the viewpoint of political science it is interesting to analyse how these services are taken into account in political programmes and processes. The present article investigates which ecosystem goods and services of forests have been considered in the Swiss forest policy, and why and in which form some services have been included in political programmes, while others have not. The analysis is based on a theoretical approach that assigns the arguments in the political decision process to specific types. The study shows that of all forest ecosystem services protection services play the most important role in the Swiss forest legislation. Biodiversity and nature conservation are important, too, while services related to recreation and landscape conservation are of minor importance. Concerning political arguments, those related to the long-term role of forestry as part of the overall economy are more important than arguments in favour of a short-term profit maximisation.
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