A Review of the Application of Ecosystem Service Valuation in Urban Green Infrastructure Development of United States

Urban green infrastructure (GI) can provide important ecosystem services including stormwater management, energy saving, air quality improvement, climate regulation, habitat provision and cultural services. In recent years, US Environment Protection Agency, Landscape Architecture Foundation and other institutions are promoting the integration of ecosystem services valuation in urban green infrastructure development. This article analyzed the current valuation principles and methods of urban green infrastructure ecosystem services and then summarized the application of ecosystem services valuation in green infrastructure development to establish quantified policy, performance-based rating system and cost-benefit analysis for urban development. Finally, this article discussed the lessons learned which can be applied to green infrastructure development in China by enhancing the connection between theory and practice of urban green infrastructure; taking the integrity and collaboration of the GI ecosystem services in to account and improving performance-based urban GI ecosystem service evaluation and monitoring system.