Quantification and valuation of ecosystem services in life cycle assessment: Application of the cascade framework to rice farming systems

摘要: Abstract The integration of ecosystem service (ES) assessment with life cycle (LCA) is important for developing decision support tools environmental sustainability. A prequel study has proposed a 4-step methodology that integrates the ES cascade framework within cause-effect chain impact (LCIA) to characterize physical and monetary impacts on provisioning due human interventions. We here follow suggested steps in abovementioned study, demonstrate first application integrated ES-LCIA added value LCA studies, using case rice farming United States, China, India. Four are considered, namely carbon sequestration, water provisioning, air quality regulation, regulation. analysis found net negative systems all three producing countries, meaning detrimental being greater than induced benefits ES. Compared price sold market, represent around 2%, 6%, 4% cost 1 kg from India, respectively. From this research gaps were identified order develop fully operationalized integration. With such guidance place, practitioners can more comprehensively assess activities relevant both terms. This may turn affect stakeholders' availability receive ecosystems long run.