Predicting and Assessing Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services (PANCES)

【Research activities ended on 31 August 2021】

Overview

This research project (PANCES) predicts and assesses future natural capital and ecosystem services (nature’s benefits to people) and their natural and social-economic values by building an integrated model of social – ecological systems. Through the presentation of several scenarios, we aim to demonstrate the ideal form of a society in harmony with nature. We will also explore ways to strengthen interface between science and policy through research and aim to contribute to domestic and international biodiversity policy and international frameworks such as IPBES.

PANCES is a large project where 30 research institutes and more than 100 researchers in Japan are working together with their full-scale efforts. In addition, to strengthen cooperation with assessments by IPBES, we welcome prominent researchers in Japan and internationally as advisors.

Developing an integrated model of social-ecological systems by linking the following 4 themes organically:

Theme 1
Development of an integrated model of social-ecological systems and strengthening of the science-policy interface

Theme 2
Prediction and assessment of natural values from natural capital and ecosystem services of terrestrial ecosystems

Theme 3
Prediction and assessment of natural values from natural capital and ecosystem services of marine ecosystems

Theme 4
Prediction and assessment of social-economic value of natural capital and ecosystem services, and multi-level governance of natural capital