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New
Jersey is blessed with a wealth of breathtaking and highly valuable
natural resources. Our beaches, forests, wetlands and other natural
resources provide countless benefits to the public. In order to
make wise policy, planning, and regulatory decisions, it is important
to understand the worth of these resources. This report summarizes
the results of a two-year study that aims to quantify the value
of these resources. As a way of expressing the value, it estimates
the dollar value of the services and goods produced by New Jersey’s
natural capital. Natural capital consists of components of the
natural environment that provide long-term benefits to society.
Many of the benefits provided by natural capital come from ecological
systems or ecosystems, a dynamic complex of plant, animal, and
microorganism communities and their nonliving environment, all
interacting as a functional unit. Forests, wetlands, and lakes
are examples of ecosystems.
This report is divided into three main parts. Part I presents
essential background information, summarizes the detailed findings
of Parts II and III and their limitations, and explores in a preliminary
way the policy implications of the natural capital project and
the future research needs in this area. Part II focuses on ecosystem
services and Part III
deals with ecosystem goods. |
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more information regarding this report, please contact William
Mates. |
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