EcoMetrix is a site-level ecosystem services evaluation methodology. It supports environmental decision-making and impact analyses. Its application involves these primary steps:

• Measure existing conditions by characterizing the ecosystem services and functions.
• Assess functional performance by measuring and evaluating key indicators of functions.
• Develop baseline and proposed future condition scenarios.
• Analyze change from baseline to future, across all services and functions. This permits analysis of minimization or mitigation options.
• Relate the results to landscape-level analyses and goals to meet policy objectives.

Using EcoMetrix, we advise our clients on project planning and site design processes by providing quantified values related to the potential impacts and/or benefits of each alternative. This approach works well in many contexts--land use planning, project site selection, alternatives analyses, regulatory compliance, corporate risk management, mitigation or restoration investment analyses, industrial development, performance monitoring during and after construction, and others.

About the Team

Beginning in 2006, Parametrix formed an internal research and development business unit charged with advancing ecosystem services science and developing strategies for integrating ecosystem services principles into program- and project-level applications. Our team of scientists, geographers, and policy analysts has focused on creating methods, metrics, tools, and infrastructure for integrating ecosystem service in decision-making. These tools support development of sustainability and risk reduction programs, improve business and regulatory processes, and facilitate exchanges in an ecosystem services marketplace.