Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Data Release for Toward ecosystem accounts for Rwanda: Tracking 25 years of change in ecosystem service potential and flows

March 3, 2020

Ecosystem accounts link national-scale environmental and economic trends, offering an internationally standardized approach to tracking sustainability. We compile ecosystem accounts for Rwanda over a 25-year period, and demonstrate that despite strong economic growth, social development, and high-level commitment to environmental goals, ecosystem services fundamental to Rwanda's well-being have declined substantially during this period. Conversion of forests and other natural ecosystems to cropland are the primary drivers of these trends. Ecosystem accounts are particularly important for tracking sustainability in African nations with high levels of economic and population growth and rapid environmental change. These accounts can build our understanding of trends in nature?s ability to provide critical benefits that underpin human well-being.

Publication Year 2020
Title Data Release for Toward ecosystem accounts for Rwanda: Tracking 25 years of change in ecosystem service potential and flows
DOI 10.5066/F72806JN
Authors Kenneth J Bagstad, Jane Carter Ingram, Glenn-Marie Lange, Michael Masozera, Zachary H Ancona, Mediatrice Bana, Desire Kagabo, Bernard Musana, Nsharwasi Leon Nabahungu, Stephen Polasky, Denis Rugege, Claudine Uwera
Product Type Data Release
Record Source USGS Asset Identifier Service (AIS)
USGS Organization Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Rights This work is marked with CC0 1.0 Universal
Was this page helpful?