Valuing Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Development: Synergies and Economies of Scale in Nature-Based Solutions

The valuation of ecosystem services (ESS) represents a critical step toward integrating ecological and economic perspectives in sustainable development. This study focuses on the comprehensive monetary assessment of ESS at the life-cycle level, emphasizing their role in enhancing local natural capital and fostering sustainable growth. By analyzing ESS through the lens of their endogenous growth potential, such as ecological value opportunities and green infrastructure development, the research identifies key environmental value chains and explores ecosystem types synergies that contribute to ecological economies of scale. A robust methodological framework underpins this assessment, combining ecotoxicological data with ecosystem service indicators to evaluate their provisioning, regulating, and maintenance capacities. Ecosystem boundaries were delineated, mapped, and categorized to ensure accurate assessments. The study includes the generation of diverse scenarios to estimate the potential beneficiaries and maximum contributions of non-provisioning ESS, expressed per hectare and per year. These analyses are aligned with environmental regulatory benchmarks, ensuring the relevance of the monetary valuation.

Monetization of ESS was achieved through the normalization of prices for identified services at area degradated by heavy industry. A special focus was placed on urban green spaces and construction sites, where land cover types interactions and synergies were examined as drivers of increased ecological and economic benefits. The study also highlights the role of ESS in regulating soil quality, water flow, temperature, and air purification , showcasing their multifaceted contributions to human well-being and environmental resilience. By integrating ecological and economic insights, this research advances the understanding of how nature-based solutions and local natural capital can drive sustainable development. The findings emphasize the importance of ecosystem synergies and tailored monetization approaches to support decision-making in urban planning and environmental policy.