The Natural Capital Indicators and Metrics Evidence Review is a searchable literature review of the environmental properties which support the provision of ecosystem services, and the metrics used to measure these. It uses Natural England’s Natural Capital Indicators: for defining and measuring change in natural capital – NERR076 publication, to inform search terms for the literature review. The Natural Capital Indicators report defines the links between natural capital assets (their quantity, quality and location), and the provisioning and regulating ecosystem services they provide. Metrics are included if they have been used to quantify change in an ecosystem asset or an ecosystem service flow.
The tool is based on over 900 scientific papers across eight broad habitat types. It provides a searchable summary of the underlying evidence, and includes links to the underpinning scientific papers. Summary evidence review sheets have also been produced for each broad habitat type. As well as identifying which metrics have been used to date, the tool helps to highlight where gaps in the current evidence base exist. A User Guide is available on the web page to help users understand how to use the tool.
This tool can be used in any work identifying metrics for measuring change in natural capital. It can also be used to understand the evidence base for environmental properties affecting the provision of ecosystem services.
The webpage is no longer available, but the resources can be accessed by contacting naturalcapitalteam@naturalengland.org.uk.