Contribution of forest ecosystem services in India using meta-regression approach

This study employs a comprehensive review of 45 studies to assess the economic value of ecosystem services from different forest types across India. To estimate timeframes, the values of ecosystem services reported in these studies were converted to 2023 constant prices in international currency units (USD). Using a meta-regression approach, the analysis incorporated key covariates such as GDP, population density, forest cover, ecosystem service categories, and valuation methods. Due to data gaps and regional variations, values reported in the literature were standardized for comparability. The findings indicate that the average value of forest ecosystem services in India amounts to USD$31,001/ha/yr, with the total value of various ES from forests estimated at US$2.5 trillion per year (2023 constant prices). Among forest types, tropical dry deciduous forests contributed the highest economic value (about US$703 billion/yr) owing to their extensive ecological functions. These results highlight the substantial contribution of India's forests to national wealth and provide critical evidence for effective conservation and sustainable forest management policies. The study also underscores the importance of prioritizing spatially targeted, economically informed strategies to enhance the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, at a national scale.