Part III II
Impact of Stewardship Activities on Ecosystem Services
In 2007, the City of Tacoma developed the “Open Space Habitat and Recreation Plan” in collaboration with the Green Tacoma Partnership and Metro Parks.48 Adopted as part of Tacoma’s Comprehensive Plan, this guides the future identification, acquisition, restoration and maintenance of public spaces in addition to establishing Habitat Corridors as the most valuable city open space. The Cascade Land Conservancy subsequently undertook an analysis of the ecosystem conditions within the Habitat Corridors. They then received a federal grant to work with the Green Tacoma Partnership on the development of the “Restoration Action Plan,”49 which will guide the long-term restoration and management priorities for Tacoma’s habitat lands. The goal of the plan was to answer two questions: 1) how many acres and which sites throughout the city need only maintenance and monitoring, and how many require more extensive restoration; and 2) how many years and how much money would be needed for these efforts.
ecosystem services is necessary. Over time, people will receive value from ecosystem services that could potentially be increased under different restoration management plans. If the benefits received from restored ecosystem services are far greater than the costs of restoring those ecosystems, then restoration may be worth supporting. One study showed a rate of return of $6 for every dollar spent on restoration in the Puget Sound basin.50 Valuation of ecosystem quality must consider the cost of degradation due to lack of maintenance and restoration resources. The degradation includes the loss of ecosystem services caused by invasive species and improper use. The valuation analysis is presented in Part VI of this report. In the next section of this report, the connection between human well-being and natural systems is examined.
The restoration plan also prioritized sections of parks by subdividing larger sites into smaller sections by vegetation type and condition. Park sections were rated according to the following characteristics: current vegetation, invasive species, target community, habitat connectivity, current site use, need for restoration and existence of sensitive species.49 The plan considers work within sections that need only preventative maintenance in order to prevent further degradation to be the most efficient use of resources. The costs associated with restoration and maintenance were also included in the Restoration Action Plan. This systems approach is essential in ensuring that the final choices of restoration projects will indeed maximize the benefits received. The methodology and prioritization list from the Restoration Action Plan will be used to analyze the future benefit of MPT restoration goals. In order to show the true monetary impact of these restoration projects and to validate the priority list as it stands, an assessment of the added benefit of
Economic Impact of Metro Parks Tacoma Ecosystem Services
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