Finance products that calculate values of ecosystem services and costs for reconstruction and maintenance of ecosystems. Use for planning efficiency and budget justification.

Eco-index Investment Tools Collection:

Ecosystem Services Valuer
Reconstruction Costings
Maintenance Costings

Ecosystem Services Valuer

The Ecosystem Services Valuer provides the estimated monetary value of services generated by native ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Valuing ecosystem services is a multifaceted process that recognises and quantifies the less-tangible benefits ecosystems contribute to human well-being, health, livelihoods, and survival. This is important recognition for existing ecosystems or understanding return-on-investment in areas under consideration for ecosystem reconstruction.

The method used by Eco-index to value ecosystem services is based on internationally recognised scientific research. Our method follows a benefit transfer approach to provide a starting point by assigning a constant value per hectare of biome which a given ecosystem nests within, and adjusting for Aotearoa NZ economic conditions (e.g., inflation). This approach is similar to GDP accounting methods.

Product design and underlying data details are available in our Product Deep Dive.

Reconstruction Costings

The Reconstruction Costings product provides clarity about the costs of conducting ecosystem reconstruction.

Users can trial various scenarios to discover the estimated reconstruction costs of different projects, including different ecosystem types, amount of land area to be reconstructed, and reconstruction activities.

The Reconstruction Costings product provides the following one-time costs on a per-ha basis:

initial plantings
early plantings care (first three years)
fencing (select by area size andshape)

Reconstruction Costings calculations are based on average costs and therefore provide a starting point from which users can apply local knowledge for refinement. The approach assumes complete reconstruction is required. Product design and underlying data details are available in our Product Deep Dive.

Maintenance Costings

The Maintenance Costings product provides guidance on estimated annual maintenance costs for existing ecosystems in any given area, based on the user’s preferences.

This product applies to existing and reconstructed native ecosystems. It focuses on the costs of common ecosystem care activities that protect biodiversity. These are calculated on a per-ha basis:

fence maintenance
non-native plant species management
non-native animal species management

Costs are calculated by ecosystem type, based on the expected degree of effort required to maintain basic biodiversity levels. For instance, lowland forests often have higher non-native plant control requirements than high altitude forests, and therefore can incur higher maintenance costs.

Maintenance Costings calculations are based on average costs and therefore provide a starting point from which users can apply local knowledge for refinement. Product design and underlying data details are available in our Product Deep Dive.