On November 21, 2018, the ABMI and its ESA partners held The Role of Science in Creating Ecosystem Service and Biodiversity Markets symposium in Edmonton. This symposium explored the interface between science and policy that will enable the creation of markets for ecosystem services and biodiversity. Different regions in Alberta are undergoing rapid change related to urban development, energy, agriculture, forestry, and transportation. Science is needed to assess current and future changes in human footprint and their consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Ecosystem services and biodiversity (ESB) markets are a novel approach to achieving conservation and environmental goals. For these markets to function effectively, we need credible scientific data to assess ESB and predict the likely outcomes of management decisions.