Hotspot estimations by ecosystem services mapping in Mie Prefecture

Abstract

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) has led to an increased interest in ecosystem services. With respect to ecosystem services, it is important for generalities and bundles of services to properly assess the entire ecosystem services of a certain region. An estimation of hotspots also supports the validity of the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and contributes to obtaining information about where to apply it in a focused manner. From a regional disparity viewpoint, Mie Prefecture is referred to as a microcosm of Japan. Moreover, its many statistical indicators are median values in Japan. In this paper we define a total of 17 indicators for 20 groups in Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES), based on Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES), Japan Satoyama-Satoumi Assessment (JSSA), Japan Biodiversity Outlook 2 (JBO2), and original considerations, to map ecosystem services for Mie Prefecture. Furthermore, hotspot analyses for ecosystem services were performed. It was found that provisioning service hotspots were mainly in the Chubu and Hokubu areas, regulating service hotspots were mainly in the Kisei-Higashikishu area, cultural service hotspots were mainly in the Chubu and Ise-Shima areas, and total ecosystem services hotspots were mainly in the Chubu and Ise-Shima areas. These findings were compared with a vegetation survey published by Ministry of the Environment in Japan. Various hotspots contain a large forest area. It was suggested that forests are the most important for all ecosystem services.