Making research relevant? Ecological methods and the ecosystem services framework

摘要: We examine some unexpected epistemological conflicts that arise at the interfaces between ecological science, ecosystem services framework, policy, and industry. use an example from our own research to motivate illustrate main arguments, while also reviewing standard approaches science using framework. While we agree framework has benefits in its industrial applications because it may force economic decision makers consider a broader range of costs than they would do otherwise, find many alignments ecology with are asking questions irrelevant real-world applications, generating data does not serve applications. attempt clarify why these problems how avoid them. urge fellow ecologists reflect on kind can lead both scientific advances applied relevance society. In view, traditional empirical landscape scales or place-based emphases necessary provide knowledge for problem solving, which is needed once identify risks services. conclude good policy tool when decision-making contexts, but theory either social valuation interactions, should be treated as one.