How can ecological product value realization contribute to landscape sustainability?

Abstract

Abstract Context Towards the common goal of improving human well-being, Ecological Product Value Realization (EPVR) and landscape sustainability are both based on natural capital as the material foundation and sustainability science as the theoretical foundation. Integrating these two concepts can help advance the development of landscape sustainability science. Objectives This study was intended to explore the different ways that EPVR can contribute to landscape sustainability science. Results EPVR can contribute to the science and practice of landscape sustainability in multiple ways: (1) as an economic solution; (2) as an axiological research perspective; (3) as a multi-disciplinary, all-round and multi-level system concept; (4) as a dynamic mechanism with socioeconomic flows in landscape mosaic; (5) a holistic methodology through interdisciplinary integration; (6) as a landscape sustainability research approach following the “resource assetization–asset capitalization–capital monetization” chain of steps. Conclusions EPVR can contribute to landscape sustainability science in the following ways: to assist identifying landscape pattern by ecological product survey and monitoring; to promote landscape governance by natural-resource value transformation; to consolidate the resource base of sustainable landscapes with ecological compensation; to optimize landscape pattern by balancing the supply and demand of ecological products; to enhance landscape biodiversity by restoring ecosystems; and to optimize landscape sustainability evaluation using the comprehensive evaluation method of EPVR.