NJDEP has recently released a report on ‘natural capital’ in New Jersey – overall $20 billion/year. This includes both ecosystem services and ecosystem goods. It turns out that water provides a very prominent portion of the state's natural capital. For example, the report cites wetlands as providing over 90% of the value of ecosystems services, primarily from freshwater but also saltwater wetlands (about $9.4 billion/yr for freshwater and $1.2 billion/year for saltwater). Water resources are an important contributor to ecosystems goods.
We'd like to hear your thoughts about the report itself and what it means (or should mean) to various interests - government officials, developers, academia, advocacy groups, etc.
