Conceptual advancement of socio-ecological modelling of ecosystem services for re-evaluating Brownfield land

Abstract

Essential environmental resources are rapidly exploited globally, while social-ecological systems at different scales fail to meet sustainable development challenges. Ecosystem services research, which at present predominantly utilizes static modelling approaches, needs better integration with socio-economic dynamics in order to assist a scientific approach to sustainability. This article focuses on Brownfield lands, a unique landscape that is undergoing transformations and provides ecosystem services that remain, at this point in time, mostly unrecognized in public discourse. We discuss the main issues associated with current modelling and valuation approaches and formulate an ecosystem-based integrated redevelopment workflow applied to the assessment of Brownfield redevelopment options.