AWRI helps put a price tag on ecosystems

Researchers at the Annis Water Resources Institute, along with colleagues in the Seidman College of Business and Michigan State University, conducted a study to calculate the value of green infrastructure in seven West Michigan counties. The study, which covers Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo and Ottawa counties, puts a preliminary price tag on critical ecosystem services associated with various land uses.

“There is no resource issue of greater importance than land use change in Michigan,” said Al Steinman, director of AWRI and principal investigator of the project. “It’s important that we are as informed as possible when deciding how land is developed in the future and this study is a valuable tool in how we make those decisions.”

Results of the study, done in collaboration with the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, will eventually be available online. Steinman said the interactive Web site will allow users to see a GIS color-coded map that places a dollar value on land use in different counties.

“Hopefully this will be used as a tool to educate elected officials and members of local planning and zoning commissions who are making land use decisions,” he said.

Elaine Isely, an adjunct research associate at AWRI and Paul Isely, assistant professor of economics, also worked on the $65,000 project, funded by People and Land and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.