Habitat Conservation - Classifying Environmental Values

Classifying Environmental Values

Pearce and Moran outlined the following method for classifying environmental uses:

• Direct extractive uses: e.g. timber from forests, food from plants and animals

• Indirect uses: e.g. ecosystem services like flood control, pest control, erosion protection

• Optional uses: future possibilities e.g. unknown but potential use of plants in chemistry/medicine

• Non-use values:

Bequest value (benefit of an individual who knows that others may benefit from it in future)
Passive use value (sympathy for natural environment, enjoyment of the mere existence of a particular species)