Ecosystem Services Mapping Datasets

Ecosystem services, or the benefits that natural ecosystems provide to people, are inherently spatial, tied to the specific ecosystems that create them. Mapping where ecosystem services are abundant or in short supply and identifying what lands provide certain services is useful for a variety of purposes, including land-use planning, assessment of conservation and restoration priorities, and identification of environmental justice issues. This project maps current ecosystem services, potential for future changes, and opportunity areas for management actions to enhance or protect ecosystem services for the southeastern United States. Data from publicly available, national-scale sources was used wherever possible to allow the analyses to be easily adapted to other areas of the United States. Ecosystem Services Mapping was used in the following subprojects: 1) Mapping Ecosystem Services for Natural Capital Accounting, 2) Natural and Working Lands Planning in North Carolina, and 3) Effects of Sea Level Rise on Coastal Habitats and Blue Carbon.