title: Rapid assessment of ecosystem services provided by two mineral extraction sites restored for nature conservation in an agricultural landscape in eastern England.
abstract: Despite growing recognition that mineral sites restored for nature conservation can enhance local biodiversity, the wider societal benefits provided by this type of restoration relative to alternative options are not well understood. This study addresses this research gap by quantifying differences in ecosystem services provision under two common mineral site after-uses: nature conservation and agriculture. Using a combination of site-specific primary field data, benefits transfer and modelling, we show that for our sites restoration for nature conservation provides a more diverse array of ecosystem services than would be delivered under an agricultural restoration scenario. We also explore the effects of addressing different conservation targets, which we find alter the provision of ecosystem services on a service-specific basis. Highly species-focused intervention areas are associated with increased carbon storage and livestock grazing provision, whereas non-intervention areas are important for carbon sequestration, fishing, recreation and flood risk mitigation. The results of this study highlight the wider societal importance of restored mineral sites and may help conservation managers and planners to develop future restoration strategies that provide benefits for both biodiversity and human well-being.
authors.affiliation: RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, United Kingdom; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Phillip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Blaen
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kelvin S-H
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Peh
authors.affiliation: RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rob H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Field
authors.affiliation: Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balmford
authors.affiliation: RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Bradbury
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development; D004435:Eating; D017753:Ecosystem; D004739:England; D055868:Floods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058751:Livestock / Q000502:physiology; D008903:Minerals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011998:Recreation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals