Final Ecosystem Goods and Services (FEGS)

What are FEGS?

Final Ecosystem Goods and Services (FEGS) are a way of including and measuring the benefits provided by natural ecosystems into their own research and decision-making. It is part of EPA’s commitment to meet its regulatory obligations while simultaneously helping states and local communities become healthier and more prosperous.

Appropriately defining and classifying ecosystem services - benefits supplied by nature—to minimize double-counting and to relate them directly to users is a fundamental challenge. To support this, the EPA developed a classification system that lays out the guiding principles of the FEGS program.

The National Ecosystems Classification System-Plus (NESCS Plus, pronounced “nex-us plus”) provides a robust, step-by-step resource for tracing the links between natural ecosystems and human well-being. The main purpose of NESCS Plus is to serve as a framework for analyzing how changes to ecosystems impact human welfare. This system can aid in the analysis of different types of environmental management actions, policies, and regulations.

• Learn more about NESCS Plus

FEGS Tools and Resources

• National Ecosystem Services Classification System-Plus (NESCS Plus)
  • NESCS-Plus Case Studies

• Final Ecosystem Goods and Services (FEGS) Metrics Report 
• Final Ecosystem Goods and Services (FEGS) Scooping Tool
• FEGS Glossary of Terms

Technical Questions

Please send any comments related to FEGS  or the tools listed above using the FEGS Contact us form. Thank you.