Fig. 1: Conceptual diagram of ecosystem accounting flows.
From: Ecosystem accounting and the need to recognise Indigenous perspectives
In A the SEEA-EA conceptual diagram of ecosystem service flows (UN et al., 2021, p. 28) shows a one-way flow of benefits from ecosystems to people via the economy. In B, an indicative example of how two-way flows may be included within this model is provided. Benefits from ecosystem services are recognised as both flowing through the economy and outside of it. Society contributes services to ecosystems (e.g., enhancing, restoring, protecting services (Comberti et al., 2015)), and these services may be provided via the economy (e.g., through labour), but also outside the formal economy. The blurred boundaries of the ‘ecosystem’ and ‘society’ entities depicted are representative of the continuity of relationships that underpin many Indigenous relationships between humans and ecosystems.
