Ecosystem services in urban land use planning policies: A case study of Ontario municipalities

•Presence of ecosystem services was reviewed in Ontario municipal land use plans.•The incorporation of ecosystem concepts was uneven.•Between 80 and over 200 specific ecosystem services were identified in each plan.•Cultural services were most frequently referenced.•A working definition of ecosystem services is needed to guide land use planners. Land use plans are widely used to guide urban development, which in turn can impact the magnitude, diversity and spatial distribution of ecosystem services that occur within urban areas. However, few studies have assessed whether ecosystem services have been included in land use plans. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the ten most populous municipalities in Ontario, Canada, to determine whether and how ecosystem services have been incorporated in each of their land use plans. Through a review of official plans, we found that municipalities have adopted varying approaches in their consideration of ecosystem services, with several municipalities explicitly adopting an ecosystem-based approach to planning. While the term, ecosystem services, is rarely used, we found that all official plans made reference to a variety of specific ecosystem services, with several cultural and supporting services most frequently identified. There is opportunity to enhance the inclusion of other types of ecosystem services, including provisioning and regulating services, in all of the official plans examined. Our case study also highlights the importance of incorporating a working definition of ecosystem services in policy documents that help guide municipalities and urban planners, adopting a broader focus on a greater variety of ecosystem services, and delineating clearer linkages between specific service providing units and associated ecosystem services.