In the Anthropocene, recognising nature’s role in human well-being is pivotal for biodiversity conservation. Despite their significance, knowledge gaps persist regarding ecosystem services, even for well-studied species like vultures. Our study focuses on the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in Sardinia, Italy, exploring their cultural and regulating services, including carcass disposal and resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. Through surveys of natural reserve visitors and data on carcass provision and GHG emissions, we assess public perception, economic value, and environmental impacts associated with vultures. The public perception of Griffon Vultures is predominantly positive, with a strong acknowledgment of their role in disease prevention and carcass disposal, highlighting their contribution to regulation services. Furthermore, vultures are widely recognised as a key element characterising the agropastoral landscapes of Sardinia, underscoring their cultural importance. The economic evaluation, through willingness to pay for vulture-watching and photography opportunities, indicates a significant appreciation of these birds, with almost three-quarters of respondents willing to pay an entrance fee at vulture observation sites. We also show that supplanting the disposal role of vultures at studied feeding sites (during 2017–2022) would result in the emission of 96 tons of CO2 equivalent, which highlights the critical role of vultures in climate mitigation. This study not only sheds light on the ecological and cultural significance of Griffon Vultures in Sardinia but also underscores the economic and environmental benefits of their conservation. It emphasises the need for continued efforts in vulture conservation, integrating ecological, cultural, and economic perspectives to foster a sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Biocultural and indigenous approaches to conservation, such as the sacred forests of India, are increasingly being recognized and valued. At these sites, the ecological aspects as well as the local community management and cultural significance of the landscape contribute to conservation success. From 2012 to 2015, we investigated five sacred forests in western Odisha (India) that varied in size from 1 to 1000 ha. Through interviews with 81 residents, we explored the types of groves, their use and management approaches. We investigated levels of grove disturbance and plant use with botanical survey methods. Some groves experience pressures from annual pilgrimage visitors, and we documented the relative impacts of pilgrims and other activities using ethnographic methods. Community participation or management by the Forest Department alone has not been completely effective in conserving these sacred natural sites; however, collaborative work can contribute to successful conservation. Continued community involvement is key to future biodiversity conservation in the sacred groves.

Environmental economists invest in measuring the value of the environment but put less effort toward integrating that value directly into the economy. Experimental economists evaluate the performance of mechanisms to fund public goods but in some cases offer limited insight into practical implications for developing markets. This discussion presents initial insights into applying mechanisms for private provision of public goods based on demand-side values rather than regulatory-based market incentives such as cap-and-trade policies. Consideration of mechanisms to generate revenue inspires field tests that could direct experiments using threshold public goods and Lindahl's framework toward applications that transform value into revenue.