Economic evaluation of ecosystem services as a reference point for legal regulations

Magdalena Michalak

Uniwersytet Łódzki
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5031-9162

Agnieszka Rzeńca

Uniwersytet Łódzki
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1167-1363


Abstract

The concept of ecosystem services appeared in scientific literature several decades ago and has since then been gradually gaining importance. Recently, discussions have also begun regarding the possibility – as well as the legitimacy – of incorporating the concept of ecosystem services and their evaluation into legal language and taking them into account in the legislative process. The main aim of the article is to determine the scope of application and usefulness of ecosystem services evaluation methods in the process of shaping legal regulations. Specific objectives include discussing the economic essence of ecosystem services evaluation, presenting selected evaluation methods along with their classification, and analysing the extent to which ecosystem services evaluation is applied in the Polish legal system, with particular emphasis on regulations concerning fees for tree removal. The conclusions indicate that despite the growing importance of the ecosystem services concept, its practical application in Polish legislation remains limited. The evaluation of ecosystem services itself does not constitute a separate, mandatory mechanism, and existing regulations take it into account only indirectly and in a simplified manner. This also applies to the current Polish system of fees for tree removal, which is based on a highly simplified calculation model that reflects the economic value of trees and the ecosystem services they provide only to a very limited extent.


Keywords:

environmental protection law, ecosystem services, methods for valuing ecosystem services, economic evaluation, fees for tree removal.


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Published
2026-09-23

Cited by

Michalak, M., & Rzeńca, A. (2026). Economic evaluation of ecosystem services as a reference point for legal regulations. Studia Prawnoustrojowe, (73). https://doi.org/10.31648/sp.12898

Magdalena Michalak 
Uniwersytet Łódzki
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5031-9162
Agnieszka Rzeńca 
Uniwersytet Łódzki
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1167-1363